Capri one day itinerary: how to spend a perfect day

Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Ioana

Capri is a gorgeous island along the Amalfi Coast with blue water, grottos, a famous chair lift, luxury shops, and plenty of restaurants with jaw-dropping views. No wonder celebrities like to vacation here. In this Capri one day itinerary, I’ll show you exactly how to spend one day on the island. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

🗺️ Capri itinerary (1 day plan)

If you’re short on time, here’s how I recommend structuring your day:

• Morning → Take the chairlift in Anacapri
• Midday → Explore Capri Town + lunch with a view
• Afternoon → Visit Giardini di Augusto
• Late afternoon → Boat tour around the island (Grottos)

In the rest of this guide, I’ll walk you through each stop so you can adjust based on your travel style.

Morning: Ride the Monte Solaro chair lift

👉 One of the best experiences in Capri, with incredible panoramic views over the island.

The chair lift was one of my favorite activities and it should definitely be on your Capri day trip itinerary. The chair lift is in Anacapri, so if you come to Capri by boat, either in the Marina Grande or Marina Piccola, you need to take the bus or taxi to Anacapri.

I recommend you take the taxi if you travel with multiple people since the price per person will be similar to the bus price and it’s a much nicer ride.

The taxis don’t have windows. They are a hybrid between a car and a golf cart. So you can take all the pictures and videos you want along the way.

There will most likely be a line at the chair lift, but it moves fast. I waited less than 30 minutes. You can buy the ticket at the ticket office there. It costs 14 euros.

Once you have your ticket you continue walking and then you hop on a chair. Each chair has capacity for just one person.

The Capri chair lift experience

Then you start ascending. The view is incredible. You can see farms, the town, beaches, the coast and the sea. It’s stunning.

Once you get up you need to hop out of the chair, you can’t just ride down. There is an observation deck at the top. It’s so high up that you’ll be in the clouds. I think I got a clear sky for a minute and then I was back in the clouds.

There are also restrooms and a cafe if you want to spend some time enjoying the view.

Once you’re ready to go down you just queue for the chair and you’re on your way down.

The chairs are not that far up from the ground, so the ride is not very scary. To get to the top it takes less than 10 minutes. 

I loved this experience and I highly recommend you do this when you’re in Capri. Read my full guide on the Capri chairlift.

Midday: Stroll through Capri Town

👉 Perfect for soaking in the atmosphere, shopping, and wandering the streets.

I loved walking through each town along the Amalfi Coast and Capri was no exception. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes in town.

Everything is aesthetic and it has that vacation vibe. It’s a lot of fun to lose yourself in those little streets for a bit.

Have lunch at Ristorante Panorama

While in Capri, you need to have lunch with a view. Ristorante Panorama has traditional Capri food and the most incredible views of the cliffs and the sea.

Fun fact: caprese salad was invented in Capri (hence the name), so you should definitely have some while you’re there.

I tried the caprese salad, the diavola pizza, and the veal scaloppine in lemon sauce. Everything was delicious.

The service was also amazing and the vibe was great. I highly recommend you eat here.

Make sure you use Google maps to get to the restaurant. You’ll have to go down some stairs to get here and it can get confusing if you don’t have a map in front of you.

There is no need to make a reservation. The restaurant is large and can accommodate walk ins. 

Afternoon: Explore the Giardini di Augusto

👉 A quick stop with some of the most famous views in Capri.

Another fun thing to do in Capri is to stroll through the Giardini di Augusto, or the Gardens of Augustus.

They consist of flower terraces that overlook Marina Piccola and the coast. The views are stunning and it costs only 2.5 euros to enter.

Late afternoon: Go on a boat ride with Grotto stops

👉 The best way to experience Capri’s famous blue water and sea caves.

Another bucket list activity in Capri is to go on a boat ride to see the Grottos. The Grottos are the sea caves. They all have a cavity and when the sun hits the water in that cavity it illuminates the cave.

The water in Capri has the most gorgeous blue color. I’ve never seen such a beautiful shade of blue before. So it’s definitely worth being on the water in Capri.

The most famous Grotto is the Blue one. However, it is a cultural site and it is treated as a museum. So if you want to pass through it you’ll have to pay an entrance fee of 18 euros on top of what you pay for the boat tour.

The cave mouth is only 2 meters wide and one meter high, so only small rowboats of maximum 4 people can go through.

Even if you decide to skip the famous Blue Grotto because of all these reasons I mentioned above, I think it’s worth going on a boat tour to see the other Grottos up close. 

Make sure you pick a tour that also has a swim stop so you can take advantage of that amazing blue water and tick off swimming in Capri off your bucket list.

Plus, some tours also offer drinks on the boat. Blue water, drinks, and being on a boat – it doesn’t get much better than this.

Where to stay in Capri

If you’re thinking about staying overnight, Capri is worth it. Especially during early morning and sunset when the crowds are gone.

Check out my full guide on where to stay in Capri (best areas and hotels for every budget).

Is Capri worth visiting for solo travelers?

Yes, but it’s a bit different from other Amalfi Coast towns.

Capri is safe and easy to explore, but it’s also more expensive and can feel busy during the day.

It’s an island, so you need to come here by boat, unlike the other towns where you can also take the bus.

Is one day in Capri enough?

Yes, one day is enough to see the main highlights like the chairlift, Capri Town, and a boat tour. However, staying overnight lets you experience the island without the daytime crowds.

What is the best way to get around Capri?

The best way to get around Capri is by using local buses, taxis, or the funicular. Capri is small, but distances between Anacapri and Capri Town require transport.

Should I visit Capri or Anacapri?

Visit Capri Town for shopping, restaurants, and iconic views. Visit Anacapri for a quieter experience and the Monte Solaro chairlift. Ideally, you should visit both in one day.

Is the Capri chairlift worth it?

Yes, the Monte Solaro chairlift is one of the best experiences in Capri, offering panoramic views over the island, coastline, and sea.

Is the Blue Grotto worth visiting?

It depends. The Blue Grotto is unique, but it requires an extra fee and waiting time. If you’re short on time, a boat tour around the island is often a better experience.

When is the best time to visit Capri?

May, June, and September are the best months to visit Capri. The weather is great, but the crowds are smaller compared to July and August.

Is Capri expensive?

Yes, Capri is one of the most expensive destinations on the Amalfi Coast, especially for food, transport, and accommodation.