Itineraries for Your Trip to Capri
3 Days in Capri for Families
Chic Capri may not jump to mind when thinking about a family-friendly getaway destination, but this idyllic island offers sun and fun for visitors of all ages. There are plenty of beaches (although they are not sandy, but rather stretches of pebbles or rock platforms), plus public parks and gardens, pretty walking paths, and Buonocore gelato in Capri town, one of the best in the Bay of Naples.
My sons have always enjoyed Capri, in part because we spend much of our time here skirting the coastline by boat with stops to swim and snorkel. If you’ve settled on the island of Capri for your next kid-focused trip, here’s how to make family memories over three days.
Temperatures soar midday, so sightsee early and go to the beach or boating after.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a boat tour around the island.
Take in the island’s two main towns of Capri and Anacapri, plus highlights like the Faraglioni sea stacks and Gardens of Augustus. The public minibuses on the island are overrun with tourists in high season, but a driving tour avoids the boarding lines and crush of passengers.
In the afternoon, head to the beach. The pebble beach in Marina Grande is good for families with tots; teens enjoy the trendy atmosphere and rock platforms at Marina Piccola beach clubs. End with a family pasta class, making specialties like cheese-stuffed ravioli capresi and rich chocolate torta caprese. Then eat your creations.
Treat your kids to a day at sea with a mini cruise around the island. Skirt the coastline, stopping to dive into the turquoise waters from the boat and explore sea caves and tiny coves. Stop to visit the Blue Grotto and have lunch at a beach restaurant directly on the water.
If you’d rather explore a different southern Italian coastline, set sail instead for the Amalfi Coast. You can drop anchor to swim just off the coast and dock in Positano or Amalfi to sightsee, shop, and have lunch on land.
This morning, hop on the ferry (or a private taxi boat) for the quick crossing to Sorrento. This largely flat, pedestrianized old town is a fun excursion for kids, with plenty of shops and gelaterias, parks and playgrounds, and even a few beaches to explore.
Take advantage of your day in Sorrento to learn the art of making authentic Neapolitan pizza with a family-friendly pizza-making workshop and lunch. Knead and roll out your individual pies, choose the toppings of your choice, and feast on your piping-hot pizza fresh from the wood-burning oven.
Return to Capri in the afternoon by ferry or private boat for a final dip at one of the island beaches and a family dinner under the lemon trees at Da Paolino.
