Capri & Blue Grotto Day Trip from Naples with Anacapri

Summary

Blue Grotto light, Anacapri streets and Capri’s busy piazzetta in a day

You’ll ride a fast ferry from Naples to Capri with a local guide, squeeze into tiny boats for the Blue Grotto’s glowing water, wander quiet Anacapri streets, and float up Monte Solaro by chairlift before joining locals in Capri’s lively piazzetta—all in one day that somehow feels both packed and slow.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed at Molo Beverello wasn’t the crowds or the ferry engines—just the way our guide, Giulia, waved at us like she’d been waiting for old friends. We squeezed onto the fast ferry out of Naples (I always forget how noisy those things are) and watched Vesuvius fade behind us. The sea air was salty and kind of sticky—my hair did its own thing. Someone nearby was eating sfogliatella; I could smell orange zest and sugar every time the wind shifted.

Capri hits you all at once. Bright boats bobbing at Marina Grande, voices bouncing off stone walls—then we piled into a little shuttle bus up the “Mamma Mia Road.” It’s called that for a reason; every curve feels like you’re about to fly off into blue nothing. Giulia told us stories about movie stars who used to escape here, but honestly I was just trying not to drop my phone out the window. At the Blue Grotto, we had to lie flat in these tiny wooden boats to squeeze through the cave mouth. Inside it was dark except for this wild blue light under the water—it didn’t feel real. The boatman sang something old and Italian that echoed off the stone. I still think about that sound.

Anacapri felt quieter—less showy than Capri town. We wandered cobbled lanes with lemon trees everywhere (I tried limoncello at 11am—don’t judge). There were old men playing cards outside a café, and when I asked for directions in my terrible Italian, one of them just smiled and pointed up toward Monte Solaro. The chairlift up is slow and creaky; you dangle over gardens and roofs until suddenly you’re above everything. The view is… well, I won’t try to describe it because words don’t really work here.

Later we drifted down into Capri’s main square—the Piazzetta—which is pure people-watching territory: locals arguing gently over coffee, tourists pretending not to stare at celebrities (I’m pretty sure I saw someone famous but my partner says no). We had an espresso standing up because that’s what everyone else did. Then it was back down to the port with sunburned noses and sand in our shoes, half-asleep on the ferry home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Naples to Capri and island tour

• Meet guide at Naples port
• Take fast ferry to Capri
• Travel along Mamma Mia Road by minibus
• Enter Blue Grotto by small boat
• Visit Anacapri for food and shopping
• Take chairlift to Monte Solaro
• Explore La Piazzetta and shops
• Enjoy free time at Capri port
• Return to Naples by fast ferry

Top questions

How long does the Capri & Blue Grotto day trip from Naples take?

The tour lasts a full day including ferry transfers between Naples and Capri.

Is entry to the Blue Grotto included?

Yes, Blue Grotto admission tickets are included if weather permits entry.

What happens if the Blue Grotto is closed?

If it’s closed due to weather or sea conditions, you’ll take a shared boat ride around Capri instead.

Is transportation on Capri provided?

Yes, shuttle bus transportation on Capri is included in your tour.

Are food or drinks included on this tour?

No meals are included but there’s free time in Anacapri and Capri for local food or drinks.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup; you meet your guide at Molo Beverello port in Naples.

Is there free time during the tour?

You’ll have some free time in Anacapri and at Marina Grande before returning by ferry.

Can infants join this day trip?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult's lap; strollers are allowed but mobility may be limited in some areas.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip fast ferry tickets between Naples and Capri, all transportation on Capri by shuttle bus, entry tickets for the Blue Grotto (or a shared boat ride if it’s closed), plus guidance from a certified local expert throughout—so you just show up at Molo Beverello port ready for adventure.