Positano or Capri: 6 Factors to Help You Decide

Planning a trip to Italy’s Amalfi Coast but can’t decide between Positano or Capri? You’re in the right place.

In this guide, I’ll compare six key factors, from main differences and top attractions to beaches, hotels, restaurants, and overall atmosphere, so you can confidently choose whether Positano or Capri is the better fit for your stay.

While the Amalfi Coast offers plenty of dreamy destinations like Sorrento and Ravello, Positano and Capri remain the two most sought-after spots in the region.

Despite being just a 40-minute ferry ride apart, they offer very different experiences: Positano is a colorful cliffside coastal town, while Capri is an upscale island escape only reachable by boat.

How to Get to Positano

Here’s everything you need to know about getting to Positano. There are a few ways to do so.

Naples International Airport (NAP) is the closest airport to Positano. From the airport to Positano, it’s a 1-hour and 30-minute drive or ferry ride from the dock near the airport.

Ferry: The ferry from the Naples Molo Port to Positano is the most convenient way. First, you must get to the port from the airport using a private airport transfer. Then take the Positano ferry from there, it takes 1 hour and 45 mins. Seasonally available from April to the end of October. You can also use a ferry to get to Positano if you’re in nearby towns.

Private Car Transfer: Another convenient way to get to Positano is to book your private airport transfer. You will have a personal driver at the airport waiting to take you to your hotel in Positano!

Rent a Car: For those looking to explore the Amalfi coastline, you can rent a car from Naples Airport and drive to Positano yourself.

How to Get to Capri

Naples International Airport (NAP) is the closest airport to Capri, a 1-hour and 20-minute ferry ride from Naples Airport to Capri. The only way to get there is by ferry.

Ferry: The ferry is located at Naples Port. First, you must get to the port from the airport using a taxi or private airport transfer. Then take the Capri Ferry from there for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Seasonally available from May to October.

Positano vs Capri – Main Differences

If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick comparison of Positano vs Capri, highlighting the main differences between the two most popular destinations on the Italian Amalfi Coast.

While this table comparison is helpful, I’d recommend you read further to help you decide which place would be best for you to stay in!

No matter which place you choose to stay in, I recommend renting a Vespa and driving along the coastline of either Positano or Capri. This was the most memorable experience during my visit!

Positano vs Capri: Things To Do

When comparing things to do in Positano vs Capri, you’ll find no shortage of memorable experiences in either destination.

Whether you’re into day trips along the Amalfi Coast, walking tours through historic streets, sunset drinks on a rooftop terrace, lazy days on the beach, or private boat tours around the coastline, both Positano and Capri deliver plenty of unforgettable activities.

Let’s break down the very best experiences each destination offers so you can decide which matches your travel style.

Things To Do in Positano

Spend the Day at a Beach Club

These are the best beach clubs in Positano to spend the afternoon relaxing under an umbrella with an Aperol spritz in one hand and some pasta on the side!

• Arienzo Beach Club – Shuttle boat from the main pier every 30 minutes, 10 AM – 1 PM
• La Fontelina – Iconic beach club located on the island of Capri
• One Fire Beach is situated in Praiano, a town next door. There are free shuttle boats from the main pier

Stay At (or Visit) Hotel Poseidon

Hotel Poseidon is a historical hotel property located in the heart of Positano, with exceptional views of the town and its coastline.

The boutique hotel is a unique piece of Positano’s history and a must-visit at least once during the evening. The terrace at Hotel Poseidon has some of the best views in town!

Boat Excursion to Capri

Capri is located West of Positano. Visiting Capri and passing by the iconic Faraglioni rocks in the sea are among the top-rated things to do in Positano or Capri.

Because Capri is so close, a day trip to Capri from Positano is very possible throughout the day. You can take the ferry there or attend this top-rated private boat excursion!

Visit Fornillo

The city center of Positano is always full of tourists during the busy, high-season Summer months, and that’s why you should spend an afternoon on the more local side of Positano, Fornillo.

The beach is slightly less busy here, and Fornillo has some of the best restaurants in Positano. I highly recommend Saraceno d’Oro, this local Italian family makes the best pizza in town!

Walking the streets in Fornillo, you’ll quickly notice how picturesque and charming it is there.

Because fewer tourists are here throughout the day, it’s easier to appreciate the charm of the streets of Positano in Fornillo.

Day Trip to Ravello

Located just 1 hour east of Positano is Ravello, a small historic town with some of the best sea views in the whole Amalfi Coast.

The hilly landscape offering exceptional views, old villas with beautiful architecture, and small boutique shops/restaurants in the town square make Ravello very much worth a visit.

Ravello is also known for having a more authentic feel for what the Amalfi Coast towns used to be like, and the tiny village is far less touristy than Positano, Capri, or Sorrento.

Things To Do in Capri

Boat Tour

The best way to see Capri is by taking a boat cruise through the sea on a sunny afternoon, as you gaze at the coastline of Capri and admire its beauty from the sea.

On this Capri Boat Tour, you will sail the sea as you stop at a few grottos and learn about the region’s history from an Italian-English-speaking guide.

Regarding must-do things in Capri, a boat cruise tops the list. You must sail the seas and admire Capri’s beauty!

Visit the Blue Grotto

One of Capri’s most fascinating tourist attractions is the world-famous Blue Grotto, a sea cave famous for its crystal-clear, deep blue-shaded water.

There’s a massive hole in the rock formations beneath the water, which causes the sea cave’s unique bright blue water.

Many tours offer direct visits to the Blue Grotta from the main Marina Grande (the main marina in Capri), or you can take an extended tour and visit many grottos in the area. If you prefer a Private Tour, you can do that too!

If you stay in Positano, you can visit the Blue Grotto as well via this tour from Positano!

Explore Capri Town

Located in the eastern center part of the island is Capri Town, a walkable town center with many boutique shops, several excellent restaurants, and more!

Those looking to shop the many luxury designer brands such as Gucci, Celine, Dior, and more, head over to Via Camerelle; on both sides of the street, you’ll find many stores.

Make sure to stop by Piazzetta di Capri, the main town square, where you’ll find many cafes, pizzerias, and locals/tourists dining, walking, and people-watching.

Dinner with a View

What beats a stunning sea view in the evening, accompanied by excellent food and great company? In my opinion, nothing!

Here are a few restaurants in Capri with breathtaking views to consider for a romantic sunset dinner!

• Restaurant Il Riccio – Best known for its exceptional Mediterranean seafood dishes and its blue/white painted decor, Riccio is fancy, lively and has great views. Some nights, there’s a DJ, so you should consider this depending on the atmosphere you’re looking for.

• Ristorante Panorama Capri – Convenitenlly located close to Capri Town, Panorama is a chic Italian restaurant located on a terrace surrounded by greenery, fresh lemons on the trees, and mesmerizing mountain/sea views.

• Da Emilia Alla Curtiglia – On the western side of the island in the hills is Da Emilia, a delicious Italian restaurant known for its seafood pasta and grilled octopus. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating with exceptional sea views.

• Pulalli – Located in Capri Town, Pualli serves all the Italian classics and a few Spanish dishes. The views here are stunning, with both mountain/sea views.

Hike Monte Solaro

Monte Solaro is the highest point in Capri and is still home to the Napoleonic War fort remains.

The island’s best views are from here. As you get to the top, you’ll notice nothing but continuous beautiful panoramic views.

There are two ways to get here: you can hike, which I highly recommend. The hike takes 1 hour, and it’s not a hard hike.

Or you can take a chair lift to the top, which takes 12 minutes on the chair lift and costs a few euros.

Positano vs Capri: Beaches

Let’s talk beaches! It’s not an Italian vacation unless you have a beach day or two!

Positano and Capri have many beautiful beaches to spend the day soaking up the sun, but Capri has the better beaches between the two destinations.

Not only does Capri have more beaches than Positano, but the beaches in Capri are superior in all ways.

The hues of the water, a selection of rock or sand beaches, and the overall surroundings of the beaches in Capri are more naturally stunning than those in Positano!

Positano vs Capri: Hotels & Rentals

When it comes to accommodation in Positano vs Capri, both destinations offer stunning places to stay, from luxury 5-star hotels and charming boutique inns to private villas with sea views.

Positano has a broader range of lodging options, making it easier to find something for various budgets and styles. Capri, on the other hand, has fewer hotels overall but a higher number of beachfront stays and properties with direct access to the water.

Your choice will come down to preference: if you want more options and easier access to other Amalfi Coast towns, Positano is ideal. If you love the idea of waking up on an island where everything beyond is a ferry ride away, Capri might be the better fit.

Where to Stay in Positano

• Le Sirenuse: A luxurious 5 Star boutique famous for its fine-dining restaurant, classic decor, and fantastic sea views.

• Hotel Poseidon: Iconic 4 Star boutique hotel located in the town center with an exceptional terrace restaurant/bar.

• La Casa Di Peppe: Luxurious, spacious, and private all-white villas with exceptional sea views. Only 14 villas are perfect for those looking for more privacy at a hotel.

• Hotel La Bougainville Positano: Located in the Northern part of town, Hotel La Bougainville is a beautifully decorated 3 Star Hotel offering spacious rooms with sea views.

Where to Stay in Capri

• Capri Palace Jumeirah: Located in the Western part of the island, Palace Jumeirah is a stunning 5 Star boutique hotel with exceptional views, spacious rooms, and an overall calm environment.

• Hotel Mamela: Conveniently located steps away from Capri Town, Hotel Mamela is a beautiful 4-star boutique hotel with charming decor, spacious rooms, and a great pool.

• Palatium Mari: Located minutes from Marina Grande beach and the main pier, Palatium Mari is a charming 3-star hotel with stunning views and many amenities.

• Hotel Bellavista Anacapri: Famous for being one of the oldest hotels in Capri, Hotel Bellavista is a beautiful hotel with lots of old-school Italian charm.

Positano vs Capri: Restaurants

When it comes to dining in Positano or Capri, you really can’t go wrong; this is the Amalfi Coast, after all. Both destinations are packed with incredible restaurants offering everything from fresh seafood and handmade pasta to decadent pastries.

While there’s no clear winner in terms of food quality, Positano edges ahead in sheer variety, with more restaurants to choose from, many boasting stunning cliffside views.

Capri’s dining scene is concentrated in Capri Town, but some of the island’s best restaurants are hidden away in quieter spots, making for a more exclusive and intimate experience.

Where to Eat in Positano

• II Ritrovo: Local restaurant with a diverse menu and beautiful hillside/sea views

• La Sponda: Fine dining restaurant famous for its exceptional views and unique menu

• Saraceno d’Oro: Family-owned restaurant famous for its pizzas and pasta dishes

• Mediterraneo: Italian restaurant showcasing many Mediterranean flavors

• Casa e Bottega: Small cafe known for its many breakfast/lunch dishes and cocktails

Where to Eat in Capri

• Lo Sfizio: Tiny classic Italian restaurant located on the side of the street known for its gnocchi, burrata, and Risotto.

• Ristorante Pizzeria Verginiello: Classic Italian restaurant close to the main square of Capri with incredible bay views.

• Restaurant Il Riccio: Best known for its exceptional Mediterranean seafood dishes and its blue/white painted decor, Riccio is fancy, lively, and has beautiful views. Some nights, there’s a DJ, so you should consider this depending on the atmosphere you’re looking for.

• Le Grottelle: A stunning, charmingly decorated, and intimate restaurant located in the hills of Capri, serving all the classics with beautiful views.

• Ristorante Buca di Bacco: Homey Italian vibe restaurant serving some of Capri’s best pizza.

Positano vs Capri: Nightlife

Nightlife in both Positano and Capri leans more toward stylish bars, chic lounges, and lively restaurants rather than big nightclubs.

You’ll find a few clubs in each, but the real charm comes from sipping cocktails with a view, whether that’s Positano’s cliffside terraces glowing at night or Capri’s elegant piazzas buzzing with energy.

Positano’s nightlife consists of one main nightclub, Music On The Rocks, a stunning nightclub along the shoreline.

Besides this nightclub, there are countless lounges/bars/sunset viewpoints to check out, like Ocean Bar and Positano Paradise.

Capri’s nightlife has two known nightclubs, VV Club Capri and Taverna Anema e Core.

Besides those two nightclubs, there are several cocktail bars and lounges such as Bar Plaza, Capri Rooftop, Jacky Bar, and others.

Best Time to Visit Capri or Positano

The best time to visit Capri or Positano, and the rest of the Amalfi Coast, is from June to August. These summer months bring hot, sunny days perfect for the beach and mild to warm evenings for dining al fresco. Expect daily temperatures between 24°C and 34°C (75°F–93°F).

If you prefer fewer crowds and lower accommodation prices, plan your trip during the shoulder seasons: April–May or September–October. You’ll still enjoy warm weather, smaller crowds, and reduced hotel rates compared to peak summer.

From November to April, the Amalfi Coast enters its off-season. Many hotels, restaurants, and shops reduce their hours or close completely, and most ferries stop running. Cooler temperatures also make beach days unlikely during this period.

Positano vs Capri – Final Thoughts

Still deciding between Positano and Capri for your dream Italian getaway? Both are stunning, romantic destinations on the Amalfi Coast, but a few key differences might sway your choice.

Positano is busier and more tourist-focused, with plenty of foot traffic thanks to its mainland location. Capri, while still popular, feels calmer as most visitors only come for a day trip or boat tour, meaning fewer people stay overnight on the island.

Positano’s advantage is accessibility. From here, it’s easy to explore nearby towns like Sorrento, Amalfi, and Ravello. Capri’s appeal lies in its exclusivity, dramatic scenery, and relaxed island vibe.

If it’s your first trip to the Amalfi Coast, Positano makes a better base, with Capri as a must-do day trip. But if you’re on a honeymoon or seeking a more intimate escape, choose Capri or even Ravello for an unforgettable romantic stay.

And if budget is a factor, you might want to read more about Is Positano expensive to visit before deciding.