Amalfi Coast or Capri Day Trip from Naples: Which Should You Choose?

Naples is one of Italy’s most underrated gems - a city bursting with flavour (hello, Neapolitan pizza), history and vibrant local life. But beyond its chaotic charm, Naples also serves as a launchpad to two of Italy’s most iconic destinations: Capri and the Amalfi Coast.

Positano, Amalfi Coast

Capri

If you’re short on time, though, you might find yourself asking: Which one should I visit?

To help answer that, we set off on two unforgettable day trips - one to Capri and one along the Amalfi Coast - with World Tours Italy, a fantastic, highly rated local tour operator. Here's how our adventures played out!

Amalfi Coast Day Trip from Naples

Our Amalfi Coast experience began with a private tour from Naples (here’s the one we did). We were picked up right on time at 9am by our friendly driver and set off along one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in the world. Along the way, we made brief stops in Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello (as well as a bonus photo stop in Sorrento) - each with its own distinct charm.

Photo stop in Sorrento

Positano

This cliffside village is arguably the crown jewel of the Amalfi Coast. It’s the one you’ve seen on postcards, Instagram, and travel guides - and honestly, it lives up to the hype!

The views are jaw-dropping, the pastel-coloured buildings cascading down the cliffside are pure magic, and the vibe is energetic yet elegant. It was definitely the most photogenic stop of the day, though be warned - it draws the crowds.

Still, walking around the maze-like streets, lounging near Marina Grande, and visiting the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta made it totally worth it. We spent about 1.5 hours here just soaking up the beauty and buzz of Positano before moving on to our stop.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a charming little town that can be explored at a relaxed pace. We spent about an hour here, which gave us plenty of time for a scenic lunch in front of the grand Duomo di Sant’Andrea.

The town has a more tranquil feel compared to Positano, with lovely coastal walks and less crowded streets. It was the perfect spot to recharge over pasta and coffee before hitting the road again.

Ravello

Ravello completely stole our hearts! Perched high above the sea, it offers sweeping views of the coastline without the crowds. It’s peaceful, refined, and full of old-world charm.

We planned to visit both Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo, but Cimbrone captivated us so much that we never made it to Rufolo (next time!). The Terrace of Infinity at Villa Cimbrone was one of the standout moments of the entire day - those views will be etched in our memories forever.

The town square of Ravello itself is really pretty, and we found prices here to be more affordable than Positano and Amalfi – so if you can hold off your lunch and shopping until Ravello, we would recommend doing that.

Capri Day Trip from Naples

Next up: the legendary island of Capri, with its luxe vibes, dramatic cliffs, and turquoise waters. For this day trip, we joined a group tour (here’s the one we did).

After an easy pickup at a central meeting point, we met our energetic guide Gabriel and took the hydrofoil from Naples to the island - and the magic began.

View of Capri from Villa San Michele, Anacapri

Anacapri & Monte Solaro Chairlift

Our first stop was Anacapri, the quieter, more relaxed side of the island. We took the Monte Solaro chairlift, a breezy, peaceful ride that offered panoramic views the entire way up.

Less than ideally, we were greeted by clouds at the top - but even then, the experience was something truly special. And the views on the way up? Unreal. If you happen to visit on a clear day, we would recommend doing this as your first activity.

Villa San Michele

This was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of our Capri day. Villa San Michele is not only gorgeous in design but also offers some of the most spectacular views on the island. It felt like we were walking through a dream.

Giardini di Augusto & Via Krupp

Next, we made our way to the Gardens of Augustus, where you can spot Capri’s iconic Faraglioni rock formations. The gardens are compact but bursting with beauty, and they provided postcard-perfect views.

Here’s where you can get some of the best photos in all of Capri (although you might have to compete with a few other tourists, you never have to wait that long to get the photo you want as the crowds move through pretty fast). We also walked a stretch of Via Krupp, a serpentine pathway that winds along the cliffs. It’s one of those places that make you stop and just soak it all in.

Piazzetta di Capri & Boat Tour

After that, we wandered around the Piazzetta, treated ourselves to some gelato (PS: not all gelato stores are as good as each other, so check Google Reviews or ask your guide if you’re unsure!), and did a bit of window shopping before rounding out the day with an optional boat tour around the island.

If you do only one thing in Capri - make it this. Seeing the island from the water was a completely different experience, full of hidden grottos, secluded beaches, and dramatic cliffs. It was pure Italian coastal magic and one of the top highlights of our entire trip.

Final Verdict: Amalfi Coast or Capri?

We’re not going to lie - this is an impossible choice! Both are jaw-droppingly beautiful and offer totally different vibes. They are both 100% worth it, and what we would consider must-see destinations.

If you’ve got three days in Naples, here’s what we’d do:

• Day 1: Explore Naples

• Day 2: Day trip to the Amalfi Coast

• Day 3: Day trip to Capri

But if you’re really tight on time and have to pick one…

Ask yourself:

• Is seeing colourful cliffside villages and that quintessential Amalfi scene on your bucket list?

• Or do you dream of island views, iconic rock formations, and a boat ride around a Mediterranean paradise?

If we absolutely had to choose, we’d go with Capri. It’s compact, incredibly varied, and offers so much - from gardens and villas to boat rides and dramatic views. But truly - you can’t go wrong with either and the Amalfi Coast is an equally good choice.

Why We Recommend a Tour

Whichever destination you choose, we highly recommend joining a tour. It saves you the hassle of dealing with transport, tickets, and timing, and lets you focus on actually enjoying the day.

We had a fantastic experience with World Tours Italy - from smooth pickups to well-organised itineraries, they helped us make the most of every moment. Their guides were passionate, knowledgeable, and had a knack for dodging the crowds (a lifesaver in peak season!!). You can check out all their offerings, from Amalfi and Capri tours to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Vesuvius, and more on their Official Website.

Planning to visit the Amalfi Coast or Capri and want to know more? Let me know in the comments below!

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