Here are the things to consider if youre trying to choose between these iconic Italian destinations.
When it comes to glitz, glamour, and views, its hard to beat Positano and Capri.
When I finally visitedCapri, it too wowed me and Im far from the islands only fan.
The scene at a beach club in Positano on a sunny summer day.Credit:iStockphoto/Getty Images
Heres what you should consider when choosing between Positano and Capri.
Both are characterized by dramatic mountains that rise up out of the sea.
The architecture is similar and so are the native plants, which include jasmine and bougainvillea.
A street in Capri lined with luxury shops.Giuseppe Greco/REDA/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Positano still feels a bit more laid-back.
During the high season, both tend to get extremely crowded.
In other words, neither destination is a bargain.
Lemon sorbet in Capri.iStockphoto/Getty Images
That said, its not impossible to stick to a budget.
It’s a misconception that Capri is this luxury, very expensive Island, says Star.
However, that doesn’t mean that there arent places that are affordable.
The Museo Archeologico Romano in Positano is housed in an ancient Roman villa.Laura Itzkowitz/Travel + Leisure
There are luxury hotels, there are affordable hotels, and there’s everything in between.
Both Positano and Capri have historic sites worth visiting as well.
In Positano, a guided tour of theMuseo Archeologico Romano, which opened in 2018, is a must.
Beachgoers enjoy a quiet cove in Positano.Laura Itzkowitz/Travel + Leisure
Active travelers who want to spend time immersed in nature will find great hiking trails, too.
Others, like famed clubLa Fontelina, tend to book up before the season even starts.
In Capri, meanwhile, youre spoiled for choice.
A guest at the Hotel La Palma enjoys the view from a balcony.Courtesy of Hotel La Palma
There are old-school stalwarts like theQuisisana, intimate boutique hotels likeCapri Tiberio PalaceandJ.K.
Place Capri, and everything in between.
Stars favorite luxury five-star hotel on the island is the Caesar Augustus.
A winding road on the Amalfi Coast.Getty Images
Its sort of the place where you’re in between the sky and the sea.
The views are just so spectacular, she says.
Alternatively, you could fly to Rome and take the train to Naples.
Making a multi-day visit to Positano or Capri leaves more time to enjoy the scenery, like admiring the views of the Bay of Naples from a path on Capri.Getty Images
From Naples, you have a few options for how to get to Positano.
To get to Capri, youll have to take a boat.
There are public ferries and fast hydrofoils departing from Molo Beverello, the ferry dock in Naples.
The hydrofoil takes about an hour and costs around 30 each way.
Once you arrive, both Positano and Capri are fairly walkable, with many pedestrian-only streets.
There are taxis and buses available to transport passengers around the area.
In the high season, there are also ferries that will bring you directly from Positano to Capri.
There’s just too many things to see here.
And the thing is, it’s an island.
Star recommends staying at least three or four nights on the island.
Having visited both destinations multiple times, I have to agree.
BothPositanoand Capri are worth spending a few days in.
