Capri and Sorrento are both located on the Gulf of Naples in southern Italy. If you are planning on visiting either Capri or Sorrento but are having a hard time picking which destination is better, you are not alone. Both Sorrento and Capri are wonderful places to visit but you might have a personal preference that will make one place stand out more.
Capri has a more luxurious atmosphere and staying there for a couple of days can be more expensive. But, if you like taking boat rides and relaxing on a yacht or a sailboat, Capri Island is for you. However, if you would like to see historical places or shop at artisan shops, Sorrento is worth a visit.
If you are having a hard time picking what is better, Capri or Sorrento, this article will talk about some of the factors that you can consider when planning your travel itinerary.
What Is Better: Capri Or Sorrento
You will find the island of Capri in the region of Campania in southern Italy and it is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea just opposite the Sorrento peninsula. Capri is a small island that is about a 15 to 25-minute ferry ride from Sorrento and less than an hour away from the Amalfi Coast. However, slower ferries can take about an hour to and from Capri if you are departing in one of the towns of the Amalfi Coast such as Positano.
Sorrento, on the other hand, lies on the Sorrento peninsula. It is a town in southern Italy that overlooks the Bay of Naples. Many people consider Sorrento as a part of the Amalfi Coast but it is actually not. However, it is easy to explore the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento because of its transportation links.
Capri and Sorrento are both wonderful places but they have their own charm and feel. You may find it hard to choose between Capri and Sorrento when you visit Italy. So, let’s take a look at several factors that can help you decide which is the best place for your next Italian adventure!
Accessibility
Going to Capri is only accessible by sea but it is easy to go to Capri if you are flying in directly to Naples Airport. From the airport, you can take a taxi, a bus, or hire a private car. There are bus and taxi terminals at the airport that will take you to either pier in Naples: Molo Beverello or Calata Porta di Massa.
If you hire a private car, you can go directly to Sorrento and take a ferry to Capri. If you are using public transportation and taking the pier from Naples, you have several ferry companies to choose from.
High-speed ferries depart from Molo Beverello while slow ferries and ferries depart from Calata Porta di Massa. Slow ferries and ferries are more affordable than high-speed ferries. But, it will take you longer to reach Capri.
Slow ferries from Naples to Capri will take about 80 minutes while ferries can reach Capri in about 50 minutes. If you would like to get to your destination faster, high-speed ferries will reach Capri in about 40 minutes. If you are coming from Rome, you will have to take a train going to Naples and then a Capri ferry to the island. Ferries that go to Capri Island will all dock at Capri’s main port, Marina Grande. There is also another port in Capri which is Marina Piccola but it is mostly yachts and sailing boats that dock on that pier.
There are more transportation options going to Sorrento from Naples Airport. You can rent a private car so you can go directly to Sorrento. This is great if you are traveling with your family or with a small group of friends. Travel time via a private car to Sorrento from the airport will take about an hour.
Alternatively, you can also ride a bus directly from the airport terminal to Sorrento. You can buy bus tickets on board from the bus driver. A bus ride from the airport to Sorrento will take about an hour and 30 minutes.
You can also take the ferry going to Sorrento but you will have to ride a bus and go to either Molo Beverello or Calata Porta di Massa. A train ride from Naples to Sorrento is also possible but, there is also no direct train from the airport to Sorrento. If you decide to take the train, you have to ride a bus from the airport to the Napoli central train station to catch the trains going to Sorrento.
Food Scene
You will definitely find Italian food such as pizza and pasta on both Capri and Sorrento. However, both destinations are also known for their seafood dishes. You will find restaurants serving fresh seafood. You can also experience dishes that are made by combining local ingredients with international flavors.
If you are in Sorrento, don’t forget to have a taste of limoncello. It is a famous Italian Spirit and is a typical liqueur in Sorrento and on the Amalfi Coast. If you are a foodie, you will definitely enjoy your stay in Sorrento or Capri.
Accommodation
Capri, while a small island, is fairly expensive because it is a popular tourist destination. The island of Capri offers a luxurious and unique atmosphere that caters to people who are willing to pay extra for the value that the island gives.
You can expect to find luxurious 5-star hotels such as Hotel Ceasar Augustus on the island. There are also budget hotels on Capri but you can still expect to pay more than if you stay in Sorrento. If budget is not a problem, staying in Capri is definitely a good idea, especially if you prefer having a relaxing day at sea
If you prefer having a base that can easily access other towns along the Amalfi Coast, staying in Sorrento is a good idea. You will have more options for accommodations in Sorrento and it is not that expensive unlike in Capri.
Shopping
Both Capri and Sorrento have shopping centers where you can buy souvenirs from local shops or general stores.
Capri being a luxurious island has quite a number of designer shops. If you are visiting Capri and are big on shopping designer labels, head on to Via Camerelle to find high-end luxurious shops that have all the big names in fashion. Via Camerelle is located in Capri town and you will also find the main shopping centers in Capri’s town center.
The other town on Capri Island is Anacapri. If you are looking for more artisan shops and local shops, you can find them in Anacapri. Capri Island is also known for its handmade sandals which you can buy at several shops on the island.
Like Capri, Sorrento also has a lot of shopping centers. You can also find luxury shops as well as local shops that sell gifts that are unique to the town. You can also head on to one of the artisan shops in Sorrento for a limoncello tasting and get one of your favorite bottles. If you are more into traditional local crafts, you will enjoy visiting and shopping in Sorrento.
Sights And Attractions
When it comes to natural scenery, Capri would probably have the upper hand. But, that is not to say that the natural scenery in Sorrento is lacking.
Sorrento offers beautiful coastal views and it also has popular beaches as well such as the Ieranto Bay which was said to be where the Sirens betrayed Ulysses. One of the things you can do in Sorrento is to see the Bagni della Regina Giovanna. This is an emerald-green lagoon that is surrounded by rocks and is connected to the sea. Another thing you can do in Capri is to visit Villa San Michele. It is a famous villa in Capri surrounded by a garden and you can also see Barbarossa Mountain from the villa. You can also visit Pompeii from Sorrento via the Circumvesuviana train which only takes about 30 minutes.
You can also go to the Cathedral of San Filippo and San Giacomo to see the grandiose architecture that was rebuilt in the 15th century. A day trip to Capri is also one of the things you can do if you are in Sorrento. There are a lot of day trippers that book a boat trip to visit the island. You can book a round-trip ticket in one of the ticket booths on the pier for your Capri day trip.
If you decide to stay in Capri, you can also do a day trip to Sorrento. All you have to do is catch the earliest ferry and make sure to catch the last ferry trip back to your destination.
There are also a lot of sights and attractions in Capri. You can see the Blue Grotto, ride the chairlift to Monte Solaro, or take a boat tour around the entire island. You can also see the iconic Faraglioni which is the three rock formations Capri Island is known for.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Capri And Sorrento
Ferries between Sorrento and Capri operate year-round so you can go to either destination any time of the year. If you are planning to visit Capri the best time to go would be between April to mid-June and September to mid-October.
Sorrento is open year-round but if you want to take a day trip to Capri, the months suggested above are also the best time to visit Sorrento. Capri’s tourist season also ends on the first week of November and the island shuts down during the winter season,
During the winter season, most restaurants, shops, and other tourist attractions in Capri are closed. They typically reopen during the Easter holidays when the tourist season has begun. You can still go to Capri during the winter season but expect the island to be very quiet and more laidback.
Conclusion
Sorrento and Capri are amazing in their own way. If you like having easy access to the towns along the Amalfi Coast, staying in Sorrento is the best option. Sorrento also has a lot of artisan shops that sell unique gifts to bring back home.
If you are more into the luxurious lifestyle, riding yachts, or relaxing on a sailboat, visiting Capri is for you. Both destinations have a lot to offer and you are not limited to one destination only. You can definitely do day trips on both Sorrento and Capri.
We hope this article helped you decide which place is better. At the end of the day, what matters is your personal preference and travel style. If you have any other questions, let us know!
