Best Things to Do in Capri

The island of Capri is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea in Italy, south of the Gulf of Naples and just off the Sorrento peninsula. Since ancient Rome it has been a popular vacation destination. Despite being a small island, it has many iconic sites worth visiting that will make you feel like you are in an Italian postcard paradise. What are you waiting to see them?

From its beautiful harbors and beaches, to its sea caves, they all stand out. The natural sites are the most visited. However, on the island you will also find architectural works that you should not miss. Among them are the Villa Jovis and Villa Malaparte.

Marina Grande is the main port of the island of Capri. It is located in the north of the island and at the foot of Monte Solaro. This is the first place you will visit when you arrive in Capri and where you will find a variety of services. When you are there, I invite you to visit the souvenir stores and typical food restaurants. Also, there is one of the best beaches in Capri.

You can take a short tour of all the stores and have lunch at restaurants such as the Verginiello pizzeria. Afterwards you can spend hours on the beach - don't forget your swimsuit and sunscreen! Getting to this port is the best way to get to know the island, as it is very lively and offers many options.

Being at the foot of Monte Solaro you can take the funicular and travel there. You can also book a boat tour around the island. This is the central point to go to the most touristic places of the island.

Details of interest

• Location: 80076 Marina Grande, Naples, Italy.
• Price: there is no price to enter the island, but you have to pay for the ferry ride which has an average cost of 50 € or more.
• Hours: you can go at any time of the day.

The Blue Grotto is a sea cave approximately 60 meters long and 25 meters wide. One of its entrances is very narrow, so you can only access it in a small boat that is anchored to the outside of the route. Do you dare to do it? Although it can be a bit intimidating, I assure you that it is worth living this almost magical experience. When you enter, you will be able to appreciate how the water seems to be illuminated from the bottom of the sea.

The other entrance is wider, but it is submerged. It is precisely thanks to it that the phenomenon of sunlight reflection occurs, which allows the blue coloration inside the cave. Please note that it is not possible to pass through this entrance, as it is forbidden to swim inside the cave.

The Blue Grotto was frequented in Roman times, but it is said that they stopped visiting it because they thought that there were evil spirits in it. Some time later, the cave was rediscovered and has since become an attraction. Tourists are willing to wait for hours for their turn to explore it.

I recommend booking a boat tour that passes through the cave early in the morning. At that time of day it is usually less crowded, so you won't have to wait long. Once inside, take in the beauty of the cave. Some recommend singing to take advantage of the acoustics of the site.

Details of interest

• Location: 80071 Anacapri, Naples, Italy.
• Price: to enter you must pay for a boat trip where up to four people can travel. This has an average cost of 15 €.
• Hours: you can go at any time of the day.

The iconic faraglioni of Capri are made up of three large rocks located in the sea. Thanks to their enigmatic presence and beauty, they are now an icon of the island. Each one has a name: Stella, Faraglione di Mezzo (it has a crack) and Faraglione di Fuori. Seeing them is one of the things you can do in Capri in November, because despite the cold, their beauty will be breathtaking.

These rock formations have years of history. They are part of the island, but over the years they have been modeled and separated thanks to the action of the wind, water currents and other factors. According to Omero's Odyssey, the Faraglioni are the massifs thrown by Polyphemus.

Multiple artists around the world have taken them as inspiration or include them in some way in their works. In addition to this, in ancient times they were used as lighthouses to guide navigators. For this they had to light bonfires, so their name "faraglioni" may have its origin there.

If you want to see them up close, I recommend a kayaking adventure. This way you can paddle and pass right next to them. Another option that is also very good to appreciate them is visiting the viewpoint of Punta Tragara. You can also take a boat ride around the island.

Details of interest

• Location: 80073 Capri, NA, Italy.
• Price: seeing the Faraglioni does not have a specific price, however, you must pay for the experience that allows you to see them, either a boat ride or transportation to certain points on the island.
• Time: you can see them at any time of the day, at night it is not recommended, because you can not see them clearly.

The Natural Arch of the island of Capri has its origin in the Paleolithic age and is formed by the remains of a collapsed grotto. It is made of limestone and measures about 12 meters wide and 18 meters high. If you are fond of photography, you will be delighted to know that the arch offers a perfect picture frame for photographing seascapes.

I recommend going to the arch in the morning or at sunset, as it is an excellent viewpoint. From there you will be able to appreciate how the colors of the sky change and blend with the sea. You will also see the tip of the Sorrento peninsula, other small islands and the entire east coast of Capri.

To get there you must walk to the top of a cliff. The only way to get there is by walking, so I recommend wearing comfortable and sturdy shoes for the tour. If you book a tour in Capri you can count on the help of a guide who will take you there and tell you the history of the site.

In any case, you should know that there are two paths you can choose. The first one starts from the main square of Capri. The second is a much more scenic route as you will pass by the Faraglioni and the entire southeastern coast.

Interesting details

• Location: 8 Via Arco Naturale, Capri, 80076, Italy.
• Price: free admission.
• Hours: you can go at any time of the day, but I recommend going at sunrise or sunset.

Villa Jovis or Villa of Jupiter is a great place to visit when you go to the island of Capri. It is an ancient Roman palace located south of the island and was built for the Roman Emperor Tiberius. It is said that in this palace the emperor spent his vacations and had a secret life.

This building covers about 7000 square meters and has multiple terraces, walls and stairs. It is undoubtedly a remarkable exponent of Roman architecture of the time. Over the years it has had some reconstructions, as time has deteriorated parts of its structure.

When you enter, you will notice that to the north of the palace is the living area. To the south, everything related to the administrative area and, to the east, the reception area. At the entrance the walls are open to have a good view of Anacapri. A curiosity is that the rainwater collection system was complex because it collected water from the roofs to a cistern.

Note that in order to visit this site you must make a walking tour from the city. The walk is approximately two kilometers, so be prepared with the most comfortable shoes you have! You will also need to plan your visit, as it is open from 10 am to 7 pm. In addition, admission costs an average of 5 €.

Details of interest

• Location: Via Tiberio, 80073 Capri NA, Italy.
• Price: about 5 €.
• Hours: from 10 am to 7 pm.

Monte Solaro is the highest point of the whole island and has an elevation of 589 meters. It is an imposing mountain where the "Fortino di Bruto" is located, a blockhouse used during the battles between Great Britain and France in the 19th century. To get there, you must travel by bus from the village and then take a funicular or a cab.

I recommend you to do this visit with time, as transportation can be a bit complicated. Although there are buses that travel directly to the mountain, these usually take an hour to arrive. Therefore, I recommend taking a bus and then a funicular. The average cost of the funicular is 15 € or less. To return it is best to walk and not wait for a cab or bus.

The funicular ride is relatively short, less than 15 minutes. When you arrive you will be able to appreciate spectacular views. This plan is ideal for all months of the year. If you travel in September to Capri from the mount, you will be able to see the beautiful autumn colors.

From Mount Solaro you will be able to see Ischia and the Galli Islands. You will also have a privileged view of the Gulf of Naples with Vesuvius and the Sorrento peninsula. If the sky is clear enough, you can also see the Gulf of Salerno.

Interesting details

• Location: 80071 Anacapri, Naples, Italy.
• Price: the price for transportation is about 15 €.
• Hours: You can go at any time of the day.

Capri is an island paradise full of history and iconic sites that you can't miss on your visit. Architecturally it is full of wonders such as the Villa Malaparte. It is one of the most representative houses of the island.

The Villa Malaparte in Punta Massullo is recognized as an icon of Italian rationalist architecture. It is also a famous work of Curzio Malaparte, a writer, journalist and poet. It has the shape of a red parallelepiped. Its presence stands out at first sight on the cliff of Punta Massullo. However, it is only possible to see it from the outside.

Only about 10 minutes by car and half an hour on foot, from the location of this villa it is possible to reach the Gardens of Augustus. These are a series of natural terraces coming from the cliff. To visit them you must pay an entrance fee of approximately 1 €. Please note that the opening hours are from nine in the morning until seven in the evening.

From the gardens you can take beautiful pictures of the Faraglioni, the rooftops of the island, the Carthusian Monastery of La Certosa di San Giacomo, Mount Tiberio and Mount San Michele. The views are incredible, so it is worth visiting these terraces, especially in the morning.

Details of interest

• Location: 80076 Capri, NA, Italy.
• Price: although you can't visit the Villa Malaparte, you can enter the Gardens of Augustus for only 1 €.
• Hours: You can go at any time of the day to see the villa. To enter the gardens the opening hours are from 9 am to 7 pm.

Marina Piccola has one of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Capri. It is located towards the south of the island and, according to Greek mythology, it was the place where the mermaids tried to seduce Ulysses with their music.

Marina Piccola Bay is located on a high point of Capri, so it allows a good view of the rest of the island. It is also a sunny area, so I recommend using sunscreen to avoid discomfort later.

The bay is surrounded by a rock wall that protects it from the winds. This makes it very quiet and an ideal place to relax. Its beaches are public, so you will not have to pay anything to enjoy them.

Details of interest

• Location: 80076 Capri, Naples, Italy.
• Price: there is no charge for bathing on the beaches, but the services may vary.
• Hours: You can go at any time of the day.

The luxurious island of Capri has a past that can be noticed in each of its corners. However, its historic center is ideal to learn more about it. You will see picturesque houses and places full of anecdotes.

The old town is divided into two nuclei. The first is delimited by the streets M. Serafina, S. Aniello, l'Abate and Posterla (small gate). The other is located to the north of the island, just behind Umberto I square. It is the oldest area and surrounds the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

Visiting the center of Capri is one of the top 10 things to do on the island. You will be able to walk through its streets that are almost always very active, full of commerce and architectural beauty. I also recommend eating in its restaurants and doing some shopping.

Villa San Michele is a romantic Roman retreat. It is located towards the northeastern part of the island just above a steep cliff of approximately 327 meters. You will feel like you dominate the world from this height! Visiting it has an average price of 10 € and its opening hours are from nine in the morning until six in the evening.

This site was originally the ruins of a 10th century chapel dedicated to St. Michael. Axel Munthe, a Swedish doctor and writer, bought it and the surrounding land in 1895. It was gradually rebuilt to form what we know today as Villa San Michele.

It consists of a three-story palace and has an architectural style that cannot be pigeonholed, as it was made to the taste of its owner. Outside the palace you will see the beautiful gardens of Axel Munthe that follow the contour of the cliff. Following them you can reach the Sphinx Chapel, where you can make a wish by placing your hand on it and looking out to sea, do you have a wish in mind?

Besides magic and beauty, inside the mansion you will have the opportunity to see sculptures more than 2 thousand years old. You will also see archaeological remains that were recovered by Axel Munthe. Other works on display are multiple sculptures in ceramic, wood, metal and much more.

Details of interest

• Location: Viale Axel Munthe, 34, 80071 Anacapri NA, Italy.
• Price: about 10 ¤.
• Hours: from 9 am to 6 pm.