Background:  Capecitabine and i.v. vinorelbine are both active in metastatic breast cancer with non‐overlapping toxicities. This study examined the efficacy and safety of the combination of these agents in patients with pretreated metastatic breast cancer. Methods:  Patients previously treated for breast cancer, maximum of one prior metastatic regimen, received capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 b.d. for days 1–14 and vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 i.v. days 1 and 8 every 21 days. All patients had measurable disease and adequate baseline organ function. The primary endpoint was response and secondary endpoints time to progression, duration of response, survival and safety. Results:  Twenty‐two patients (median age 56 years) received a median of six cycles. All patients had received anthracyclines and 64% taxanes. Objective responses were seen in 7/21 (33%, 95% confidence interval CI 18–57%), with two complete responses; stable disease was seen in 5/21 (24%, 95% CI 8–42%). Median duration of response was 6.9 months (95% CI 4.7–13.1), time to progression was 5.8 months (95% CI 2.8–6.8) and survival was 13.5 months (95% CI 6.9–19.9). The median dose intensity of vinorelbine was 75% of the intended dose and of capecitabine 85% of intended dose. The main toxicity was myelosuppression including 16 episodes of G3–4 neutropenia in 11 patients (50%). Other toxicities were generally mild to moderate. Conclusion:  The combination of capecitabine and i.v. vinorelbine is active and well tolerated in patients with pretreated metastatic breast cancer. The recent availability of oral vinorelbine provides an opportunity to explore a fully oral combination.