Capri, Italy: Ferries From Naples, Blue Grotto Hours, Getting Around and Where to Stay
Which ports serve the island, how the funicular and buses work, what the Blue Grotto costs and when it closes, Villa Jovis, Anacapri, and rainfall month by month.
- 4 sq mi of island, no airport
- 1,932 ft at the top of Monte Solaro
- 6 euros Blue Grotto entry, rowboat extra
- 2 p.m. Blue Grotto closing time in winter
Capri is reached only by boat, and almost everything a first visit involves, from the Blue Grotto to the views from Monte Solaro, depends on ferry times, a five-minute funicular and a small bus network. The island is split between two towns: Capri in the east and Anacapri in the west.
Hours and prices on this page come from Italy’s Ministry of Culture (Blue Grotto) and from the foundation that runs Villa San Michele; transportation and climate data from Wikipedia’s articles, which cite NOAA for the 1991-2020 normals. All checked on October 15, 2026.
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- Getting to Capri
- Getting around the island
- Blue Grotto hours and tickets
- Villa Jovis
- Anacapri and Monte Solaro
- Capri in April, summer or winter
- Where to stay
- Boat trips
- FAQ
- Sources
How do you get to Capri?
By ferry or hydrofoil. Boats leave Naples from two piers, Molo Beverello and Calata di Massa, and also run from Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi, with summer-only service from Ischia. Everything docks at Marina Grande on the north shore.
Our guides to Naples, Positano and Amalfi cover those departure towns, and our Italy travel guide covers entry rules for U.S. travelers.
Don’t plan on bringing a rental car. The French foreign ministry says non-resident vehicles are banned from the island in summer, and Wikipedia describes the restriction as typically running April to November. Leave the car on the mainland.
Is it easy to get around Capri?
Yes, once you know the three pieces. The funicular climbs from Marina Grande to Piazza Umberto I in Capri town: 2,200 feet of track, a 456-foot rise and about five minutes of riding. It is operated by SIPPIC.
- Public buses link Marina Grande, Capri town, Marina Piccola, Anacapri and the Blue Grotto.
- Taxis on the island are open-top cars.
- The chairlift runs from Piazza Vittoria in Anacapri up to Monte Solaro.
Blue Grotto: hours, tickets and closures
The grotto, in the town of Anacapri, is run by Italy’s Ministry of Culture and opens daily. From April through October it is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., sometimes until 6:30 p.m. when it’s busy; from November through March, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with last entry at 1:30 p.m. The ticket office closes at 5:30 p.m.
Entry is 6 euros, or 2 euros reduced. The only way in is aboard a small rowboat, paid for separately. Booking on coopculture.it is free and recommended; without it, you get in only if space remains. If you’d rather not handle the logistics, there are island boat tours with a Blue Grotto stop.
Rough seas close it. The ministry states the site stays shut in bad weather or sea conditions. If the grotto is the reason for your trip, build in a spare day and read a tour’s refund terms for weather closures.
The tours and boat trips below come from our partner GetYourGuide. For a day trip from Naples or Sorrento, check whether the round-trip ferry is included and whether the Blue Grotto rowboat is part of the price or an add-on.
See all Capri tours and activities on GetYourGuide
Villa Jovis, the Emperor Tiberius’s villa
Tiberius moved to Capri for good in AD 27, and the ruins of his main residence rank among the best-preserved Roman villas in Italy. The Ministry of Culture’s page for the site would not load when we checked, so confirm it is open before the walk up, or join a guided walk to Villa Jovis.
Closer to town, the Gardens of Augustus look down on Via Krupp, a switchback path that is often closed because of landslide risk. The Faraglioni, three sea stacks, rise off the southeast coast.
Anacapri: Villa San Michele and Monte Solaro
Villa San Michele was built by the Swedish physician and writer Axel Munthe and now belongs to a Swedish foundation. Tickets are 12 euros for adults, 8 euros for young people and students, and free under 12. In October it opens 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; it closes on Tuesdays from November through January and all of February.
Monte Solaro, at 1,932 feet the island’s high point, is reached on foot or by the chairlift. The summit looks out over the Gulf of Naples and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Capri in April, summer or winter: what the weather looks like
April averages 68 °F highs and about 1.6 inches of rain. From May through August, monthly rain stays under 1.2 inches, while July and August highs reach 89 to 90 °F. October through December are the wettest months, each above 3.2 inches.
- Jan 2.8 in
- Feb 2.3 in
- Mar 2.1 in
- Apr 1.6 in
- May 1.0 in
- Jun 0.6 in
- Jul 0.4 in
- Aug 0.9 in
- Sep 2.3 in
- Oct 3.5 in
- Nov 3.8 in
- Dec 3.3 in
Average rainfall by month in Capri, 1991-2020 normals. Yellow: under 1.2 in. Light blue: 1.2 to 3.2 in. Dark blue: over 3.2 in.
| Month | Low / high | Rain (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 48 / 57 °F | 2.8 in (8) |
| Feb | 47 / 58 °F | 2.3 in (7) |
| Mar | 50 / 62 °F | 2.1 in (7) |
| Apr | 54 / 68 °F | 1.6 in (6) |
| May | 60 / 76 °F | 1.0 in (4) |
| Jun | 68 / 84 °F | 0.6 in (2) |
| Jul | 72 / 89 °F | 0.4 in (1) |
| Aug | 73 / 90 °F | 0.9 in (2) |
| Sep | 68 / 83 °F | 2.3 in (6) |
| Oct | 62 / 74 °F | 3.5 in (7) |
| Nov | 55 / 65 °F | 3.8 in (9) |
| Dec | 50 / 58 °F | 3.3 in (9) |
| Year | 24.6 in |
About these numbers: they come from the Capri weather station, 520 feet above sea level, as NOAA 1991-2020 normals quoted by Wikipedia; the figure in parentheses is the number of rainy days. Winter also means shorter hours: the Blue Grotto shuts at 2 p.m. and Villa San Michele at 3 p.m.
Where to stay in Capri: town, harbor or Anacapri?
Staying overnight puts you on the island before the first boats from the mainland arrive. The choice comes down to three areas, depending on whether you want the harbor, the sights around Capri town or those of Anacapri.
Capri town
At the top of the funicular, closest to the Gardens of Augustus and the path to Villa Jovis, and on the bus routes to Anacapri and Marina Piccola.
Marina Grande
The harbor where every ferry docks. Handy with luggage, or for catching the first boat in the morning without relying on the funicular.
Anacapri
The island’s second town, to the west, home to Villa San Michele, the Monte Solaro chairlift and the road down to the Blue Grotto.
Check current prices and reviews for Capri hotels
Seeing the coast by boat
The sea stacks and the sea caves of the south coast are best seen from the water. When comparing the trips below, look at the length, the group size and what happens if the Blue Grotto is closed that day.
Travel insurance and phone data
Check what your health plan covers outside the United States before you go. Our partner SafetyWing sells Nomad Insurance Essential; read its limits and exclusions on the quote page. If you live in Europe, Chapka Cap Assistance is another option; it isn’t available to U.S. residents.
For data, compare your carrier’s Italy rate with an eSIM. Our partner Yesim offers Italy eSIM plans, installed before departure on an unlocked, eSIM-ready phone.
Capri FAQ
How do I get from Naples to Capri?
Take a ferry or hydrofoil from Molo Beverello or Calata di Massa to Marina Grande, then the funicular up to Capri town, about five minutes.
Can you visit Capri as a day trip?
Yes. A day covers the Blue Grotto or a boat tour plus Capri town. Adding Anacapri, Monte Solaro and Villa Jovis is easier with a night on the island, especially in winter when sights close early.
How much does the Blue Grotto cost?
6 euros for entry (2 euros reduced), plus the required rowboat, which is paid separately.
Is Capri worth visiting in April?
April brings average highs of 68 °F and about 1.6 inches of rain over six days, and the Blue Grotto is on its longer April to October hours.
What was Villa Jovis?
The main residence of Emperor Tiberius, who settled on Capri in AD 27. Its ruins are among the best-preserved Roman villas in Italy.
Sources
All pages checked on October 15, 2026.
- Italian Ministry of Culture, Grotta Azzurra (hours, tickets, booking), in Italian.
- Villa San Michele, official site (hours, tickets, address).
- French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Italie, informations utiles (vehicle ban on Capri; updated September 15, 2026), in French.
- Wikipedia, Capri (ferries, buses, Villa Jovis, Via Krupp, NOAA 1991-2020 normals).
- Wikipedia, Capri funicular, Anacapri (chairlift) and Monte Solaro.
Maintained by the Advised Traveler Team. Ferry schedules and site hours change with the season and the sea, so confirm them with the operators before you go. Spotted an error? Let us know.