Capri
Positano
Many travelers compare Capri and Positano because both offer turquoise seas, Campanian cuisine, and charming hotels, but with different vibes.On one hand, the island of Capri with the Piazzetta and the Faraglioni; on the other, the vertical village of Positano with Spiaggia Grande and lanes full of boutiques.The two are connected in 30–40 minutes by hydrofoil, making it realistic to combine the experiences in 3–5 days.The differences are clear-cut: Capri is more geared toward boat tours, viewpoints, and high-end hotels; Positano is the perfect base for beaches, hikes like the Path of the Gods, and trips to Amalfi.Average costs vary: a 3-star in Capri starts at €150-280 in high season, in Positano at €200-350, with restaurants around €25-60 per person.In this guide you’ll find precise comparisons with prices in €, times and distances: how to get from NAP to each destination, the best attractions with tickets and duration, where to eat between Capri and Positano, tips for families, daily budget, and a combined itinerary ready to book.
Capri vs Positano
| Feature | Capri | Positano |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budget | In Capri in high season (June–September) a 3★ costs €150-280, a 4★ €300-600, a 5★ €700-1,500. Meals: pizza at Aurora or Verginiello €12-18, seafood pasta €22-36, cocktail in the Piazzetta €14-20. Transport: funicular €2.20 (4 min), bus €2.20, open-top taxis €25-35 Marina Grande–Capri/Anacapri.Boat trips: 2 h island circumnavigation €23-28, Blue Grotto by rowboat €18 pp.Realistic daily budget: €140-220 (budget), €260-420 (mid-range), €600+ (luxury). | In Positano a 3★ in high season costs €200-350, a 4★ €300-600, a 5★ €600-1,200. Meals: pizza in Fornillo €10-14, seafood dinner at Da Vincenzo or Chez Black €40-70 pp, cocktail at Franco’s Bar €18-22. Transport: SITA bus Sorrento–Positano €2.90, ferry €20-25, taxi NAP–Positano €120-160 (75–90 min).Sun loungers on Spiaggia Grande €25-40/day.Realistic daily budget: €120-200 (budget), €240-380 (mid-range), €500+ (luxury).✓ Better |
| Top attractions | Top in Capri: Blue Grotto (rowboat €18, 30–40 min, weather permitting); Gardens of Augustus (€2.50, 30 min) with views of the Faraglioni and Via Krupp (often closed, check).Monte Solaro by chairlift from Anacapri (€23 round trip, 12 min) + 30–45 min at the summit.Villa San Michele (€12, 45–60 min).Island boat tour 2 h €23-28. Distances: Piazzetta–Gardens 700 m (10 min), Capri–Anacapri bus 15 min. | Top in Positano: Spiaggia Grande (free, 2–4 h), Church of S.Maria Assunta (free, 15–20 min), MAR Positano Roman museum (€15, 45–60 min).Hike the Path of the Gods Bomerano–Nocelle (7.8 km, 2.5–4 h; bus Nocelle–Positano 20 min €1.80).Fornillo is 850 m from the square (10–12 min).Boat tour to Li Galli 2–3 h €60-90. Stairs to Arienzo: ~300 steps (15–20 min). |
| Food and restaurants | Typical dishes in Capri: insalata caprese, Capri ravioli, torta caprese.Addresses: Da Paolino (lemon grove; mains €32-48), Ristorante Aurora (Acquapazza-style pizza €18-24), Verginiello (paccheri €18-24).Gelato at Buonocore (€3.50-5).Aperitivo in the Piazzetta €14-20. Products: Carthusia lemon liqueurs (€16-22), limoncello €12-18/500 ml.Book dinner 20:00–21:00 at least 48 h ahead in July–August. | In Positano: scialatielli ai frutti di mare, delizia al limone, alici di Cetara.Addresses: Da Vincenzo (first courses €22-28), Chez Black (pizza €12-18, fish €28-45), La Tagliata in Montepertuso (set menu €45-55 with shuttle).Cocktails: Franco’s Bar €18-22, Le Sirenuse Champagne Bar €25+.Breakfast: croissant + cappuccino €5-7 on Via dei Mulini.Book 72 h ahead in high season.✓ Better |
| Climate and best time to go | Capri: hot, dry summers.Averages: July 29/23°C, August 30/24°C; January 12/7°C.Rain: November 120-140 mm.Sea temperature: June 23°C, August 26°C.Recommended months: May–June and September for fewer crowds and hotel prices −15-25% compared to August.August is crowded, Blue Grotto often closed with swell > 0.5 m. | Positano shares a Mediterranean climate: July 30/24°C, August 31/25°C; January 13/8°C.Higher rainfall between November and December (up to 130 mm/month).Sea: May 19-20°C, September 24-25°C.Best periods: late May, mid-September.In winter many hotels/restaurants are closed (Dec–Feb), but walks and the Path of the Gods are doable in stable weather. |
| Transport and how to get there | You reach Capri by sea: from Naples Molo Beverello hydrofoil 45-50 min €23-26 (SNAV, NLG, Caremar); from Sorrento 20-25 min €18-22. From NAP airport: Alibus to Beverello €5, 25 min; taxi fixed fare €21-25. In Capri: funicular €2.20 (4 min) Marina Grande–Piazzetta, bus €2.20 to Anacapri, chairlift €23 round trip to Monte Solaro.No tourist rental cars.✓ Better | To Positano there’s no direct train: from NAP Circumvesuviana to Sorrento €3.60, 65 min; then SITA bus €2.90, 50–70 min.Seasonal ferry Naples–Positano €30-40, 75–90 min.Taxi/transfer NAP–Positano €120-160, 75–90 min.On site: local buses €1.80, internal taxis €20-30 per ride, parking €30-50/day.Pier on Spiaggia Grande for hydrofoils to Capri, Amalfi, Sorrento. |
| Nightlife | In Capri the evening revolves around the Piazzetta and Taverna Anema e Core (live music 22:30–03:00, entry €30-40 with drink).Cocktail bars: Bar Tiberio and Piccolo Bar (€14-20).Seaside lounges at Marina Grande until 01:00.Dress code smart casual, reservations Fri–Sat.Night taxi €30 Piazzetta–Anacapri.Noise is limited after midnight in residential areas. | In Positano the iconic club is Music on the Rocks (cave, 23:30–04:00, entry €30-50, bottle service €150+).Cocktails at Franco’s Bar (view, €18-22) and at Le Sirenuse Champagne Bar (€25+).Beach bars on Spiaggia Grande until 01:00.In August, almost daily DJ sets; in May–June weekends are livelier.Night transfer hotel–pier €20-30 by taxi.✓ Better |
| For families with children | Capri is manageable with a stroller in the center: funicular (4 min), the Piazzetta–Gardens of Augustus section is a flat 700 m.Beaches: Marina Piccola (2 km, pebbles, calm water in the morning), Bagni di Tiberio (10 min by boat from Marina Grande).Avoid with small children the boats to the Blue Grotto in rough seas.Short museums: Villa San Michele 45–60 min.Family-friendly restaurants: Verginiello, Da Gemma.Gelato budget €3.50-5.✓ Better | Positano has many stairs: prefer Fornillo (gentler ramps, 850 m from the square) over Arienzo (300 steps).Pebble beaches: bring water shoes.Shaded loungers €25-35. Easy outing: boat to Amalfi (25–30 min, €12-18 each way) or bus to Praiano (20 min).Kids-friendly meals: Chez Black, Collina Bakery (snacks €3-6).Avoid 12:00–15:00 in August due to heat. |
| Beaches and nature | In Capri: Marina Piccola (2 km from Capri, views of the Faraglioni), Punta Carena in Anacapri (rocks, top sunset), Bagni di Tiberio (calm waters).Nature: Monte Solaro (589 m) with chairlift €23 round trip, 1.7 km hike from Anacapri (45–60 min).Via Krupp often closed due to rockfall: check locally.Coastal cruises 2 h €23-28 with swim stops, water 23-26°C in summer. | In Positano: Spiaggia Grande (wide, services), Fornillo (quieter, 10–12 min on foot), Arienzo (clear water, 300 steps), Laurito (restaurant Da Adolfo shuttle boat).Top hike: Path of the Gods (7.8 km, 2.5–4 h).Boat rental 2–3 h €180-300 for a private gozzo.Sea temperatures 24-25°C in September, great visibility for snorkeling.✓ Better |
| Shopping | In Capri boutiques on Via Camerelle: Gucci, Valentino, Louis Vuitton.Crafts: sandals at Canfora (€120-280), Carthusia perfumes (EDP 50 ml €80-95).Specialties: limoncello 500 ml €12-18, Capri ceramics €15-40. Typical hours: 10:00–13:30 and 16:30–20:30.Best mid-price area: Via Le Botteghe and Via Fuorlovado. | In Positano linen fashion on Via dei Mulini and Via Cristoforo Colombo: Antica Sartoria (dresses €39-89).Handcrafted sandals at Safari (€90-180).Ceramics at Ceramica Assunta: plates €25-60, lamps €120-250. PGI lemon products: cream €8-12. Summer hours 10:00–22:00 with a variable 14:00–17:00 break. |
| Safety and practical tips | Capri is very safe; watch out for pickpockets at Marina Grande and in the Piazzetta at peak hours.Taxi prices displayed: ask first (€25-35).Avoid diving near the Faraglioni and unmarked access points.Emergency number 112; ER at Ospedale Capilupi on Via Provinciale.Tap water is drinkable; use SPF 50+ in July–August. | In Positano the main risks are stairs and slippery spots on the beach; wear shoes with grip.Official parking €30-50: beware of illegal parking attendants.In rough seas, avoid small boats to Li Galli.Emergencies 112; medical outpost on Via G.Marconi, nearest hospital in Castiglione di Ravello (17 km, ~40 min).Cards accepted almost everywhere; some venues add a 10-15% service charge. |
| How many days do you need | For Capri: minimum 1 full day (Piazzetta, Gardens of Augustus, 2 h boat tour).Ideal 2-3 days: day 1 Capri center + Faraglioni; day 2 Anacapri + Monte Solaro and Villa San Michele; day 3 relax at Marina Piccola or Punta Carena.Internal transfer times: Capri–Anacapri bus 15 min, taxi 10 min. | For Positano: minimum 2 days.Ideal 3-4 days: day 1 center and Spiaggia Grande, day 2 Path of the Gods (2.5–4 h) + sunset, day 3 boat tour to Amalfi/Li Galli, day 4 Fornillo or Arienzo.Transfers: Sorrento–Positano bus 50–70 min, ferry 30-40 min. |
| How to combine the two places | Between Capri and Positano in season (Apr–Oct) direct hydrofoils 30-40 min, €22-28 (NLG, Positano Jet).Departures from the main pier at Marina Grande; extra luggage €2-3. Off-season: via Sorrento (Capri–Sorrento €18-22, 20–25 min + SITA bus €2.90).Tip: leave Capri in the morning by 10:00 for less swell. | From Positano to Capri morning hydrofoils 09:00–11:00 and returns 16:00–18:00 (30-40 min).Ticket €22-28 pp; book 24–72 h ahead in August.If seas are rough, option via Sorrento: ferry €20-25 + hydrofoil €18-22, total 1.5–2.5 h.Private gozzo tour 4 h €350-550 up to 6 pax, fuel included. |
The Verdict
Choose Capri
Choose Capri if you want a scenic long weekend among viewpoints and boat trips with a mid-to-high budget.Best time: May or September (hotels −15–25% vs August).Indicative 2-day budget: 4★ hotel €600-1,000, meals €200-300, transport/admissions €70-120. Itinerary: day 1 Piazzetta, Gardens of Augustus, 2 h island tour (€23-28); day 2 Anacapri, chairlift Monte Solaro €23, visit Villa San Michele €12, sunset at Punta Carena.Quick moves: funicular 4 min, bus 15 min.
Choose Positano
Choose Positano if you want sea, serviced beaches and hikes like the Path of the Gods.Best time: June or mid-September for water at 24-25°C and fewer crowds.3-day budget: 3–4★ hotel €900-1,500, meals €300-450, transport/activities €120-220 (sun loungers €25-40/day, MAR €15, Li Galli tour €60-90).Itinerary: day 1 Spiaggia Grande and center, day 2 Path of the Gods (2.5–4 h) + sunset, day 3 Fornillo or boat to Amalfi.