Are you thinking of a trip to Capri but you don’t yet know what it hides? What can you see on Capri? Today, we’ll go over some of the best attractions that this little island has to offer.
How to get to Capri
First, however, let’s actually get there. You can get there by ferry from Naples or Salerno. Ferries depart from two stations in Naples several times a day, so it’s not difficult to catch one.
Capri
Once you arrive in Capri, depending on how much time you have, there are a couple of options. If you only have one day, there’s no way you can see both parts of the island unless you literally speedrun through all of it with a taxi. You either opt for the western Anacapri or the eastern Capri. We’d argue that most of the attractions are either in or very close to Capri, though. You can, however, combine, for instance, Grotta Azzurra with some of the western attractions too.
If you want to see all of the best attractions of Capri, we’d recommend you allocate at least 12 hours to 2 days for the tour. Once you arrive on the shores of Marina Grande, you can get to Capri either by just walking there or by taking a funicular. Anacapri can be reached by a bus or a taxi.
Marina Piccola
This is a well-known spot for luxury yacht enthusiasts, though also a great viewpoint for us, financial mortals. You can get to that viewpoint by going through the centre of Capri and via Gardini di Augusto. If you’re a yacht guy or gal, you can also just approach from the south. The Marina also offers some nice rocky beaches.
Beaches on Capri
Of course, those aren’t the only ones on Capri. If you’re in Campania and you want to see some of the most beautiful beaches of the region, we’d recommend Capri. And especially:
- Spiaggia di Cala Grande
- Spiaggia Bagni di Tiberio
- Spiaggia di Marina Piccola
Cruises around Capri
You can also hire a boat – the prices per hour vary widely, though you can expect about €100 per hour for the whole boat (including the boatswain) – hours during sunsets tend to be a bit pricier. You may, however, also find offers for quite a bit less. You’ll find most boats at Marina Grande.
Grotta Azzurra
Now, for the obligatory point on the list. The Grotta Azzurra, or the Blue Grotto, is a natural sea cave 60 metres long and 25 metres wide. The only source of light inside is the sunlight reflecting off of the water, giving the whole cave its beautiful blue colour.
If you’d like to visit the cave yourself, you can opt for either hiring a boat and sailing there, taking a bus and taking a rowboat on site or going on a tour (about €20). Be aware that, in the high season, the wait-line for the grotto can be very long. Additionally, it’s not allowed to swim in the cave or get to the cave by swimming – though some people swim there anyway after the cave ‘closes’ to the public at 5:30pm. The logic behind the ban is that the mouth of the cave is so narrow and small that a wave can easily throw a person swimming against the rocks and it’s game over. You can learn more about visiting the Grotto here.
Giardini di Augusto
The Gardens of Augustus, otherwise known as Krupp Gardens, are usually filled with tourists. And it’s no surprise, as they’re absolutely beautiful and offer some incredible views. They were established by a German industrialist, Friedrich Alfred Krupp, in the early 20th century. You may encounter a monument to Lenin inside as well.
Monte Solaro
Monte Solaro is the highest mountain on Capri, measuring 589 metres above sea level. The peak houses a statue of Emperor Augustus and a bunker from the early 19th century. If you want to reach the summit, it’s best to start from Via Axel Munthe. The path leads along the slope for nearly the entire width of the island. You can also reach the summit by a chairlift. From the top, you will be able to admire both parts of Capri and Anacapri and, in addition, the Amalfi peninsula.
Faraglioni and Punta Tragara
Faraglioni in Capri refers to the three rocks on the coast of the island. They even have their own little names: Stella, Mezzo and Scopollo. The rocks are 109, 82 and 106 metres tall respectively. You can either admire them from the shore or take part in one of the boat trips around Capri. Punta Tragara, a luxurious hotel on Capri, offers a fantastic view of the rocks. If you can’t afford that, opting to just see them from the coast is just as good an option.
Anacapri and Capri
Anacapri and Capri and their lovely streets are attractions in and of themselves. Anacapri is the town located 150 metres higher than its un-ana Capri. The focal point of Capri is Piazza Umberto I while Anacapri mostly has little streets in the vicinity of Chiesa di San Michele and Chiesa di Santa Sofia. If you’re very low on time, here’s a list of the most important sites to visit.
In Anacapri:
- Villa San Michele
- Monte Solaro
- Museo Casa Rossa di Anacapri
In Capri:
- Augustus Gardens
- Marina Piccola
- Piazza Umberto I
- Arco Naturale
Lastly, Capri will invariably be much more crowded, as there’s simply more to see there, so that may be the argument for you to choose Anacapri.
Piazza Umberto I
Piazza Umberto I is a charming little piazza in Capri, endearingly nicknamed the “little theatre of the world.” It’s home to the Church of Saint Stephen and the island’s tower while also acting as the meeting spot for the locals. There are also two marble plaques commemorating Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I. Do be prepared to find some insane prices there, stuff rivalling Caffe Florian.
Villa San Michele
This villa in Anacapri is a great viewpoint, a museum and a beautiful garden at the same time. It also houses one of the town’s landmarks, a Sphinx made of red granite. The villa was the place of both work and residence for Axel Munthe, a Swedish doctor. He arrived here in 1885, built his home here and actively protected the local flora and fauna.
Arco Naturale
From Faraglioni, we recommend you take a short walk to Arco Naturale with even more stunning rock formations. Arco Naturale is a huge natural stone arch towering over the forest and hillside. Much of the walk there leads through the forest, so you’ll also avoid much of the heat and get some great sights too.
Local dishes from Capri
Finally, after all this exploring, what should you eat? Though you may want to try the Caprese Salad straight from the locals, we recommend Ravioli Caprese, meaning ravioli stuffed with cheese and served with tomato sauce. You’re unlikely to find it anywhere else and it’s lovely.
Also, be sure to try the famous local lemon juice from freshly squeezed lemons.
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