10 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 opposite the Sorrento Peninsula. It has been a popular holiday destination since ancient Roman times. Despite being a small island, it has many iconic sites that are worth visiting and will make you feel like you are in an Italian paradise postcard. What are you waiting for to see them?

From its beautiful harbours 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 Villa Jovis and Villa Malaparte.

Marina Grande is the main port on the island of Capri. It is located in the north of the island at the foot of Monte Solaro. This is the first place you will visit when you arrive in Capri, where you will find a variety of services. Once there, I invite you to browse the souvenir shops and try the local restaurants. It is also home to one of the best beaches in Capri.

You can take a short tour of all the shops 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! Arriving at 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 up there. You can also book a boat tour around the island. This is the central point for going to the most touristy sites on the island.

Details of interest

• Location: 80076 Marina Grande, Naples, Italy.
• Price: there is no charge to enter the island, but you do have to pay for the ferry trip, which costs an average of €50 or more.
• Opening hours: you can go at any time of day.

The Blue Grotto is a sea cave approximately 60 metres long and 25 metres wide. One of its entrances is very narrow, so you can only access it in a small boat that anchors outside the route. Are you brave enough to do it? Although it can be a little intimidating, I assure you that this almost magical experience is well worth it. When you enter, you will see 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 this entrance that the phenomenon of sunlight reflection occurs, creating the blue colour inside the cave. Please note that it is not possible to pass through this entrance, as swimming inside the cave is prohibited.

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

I recommend booking a boat trip 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, let yourself be carried away by 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 that can carry up to four people. This costs an average of €15.
• Opening hours: you can go at any time of day.

Capri's iconic Faraglioni are 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 (which 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 shaped and separated by the action of the wind, water currents and other factors. According to Homer's Odyssey, the Faraglioni are the boulders thrown by Polyphemus.

Many artists around the world have taken them as inspiration or included them in some way in their works. In addition to this, in ancient times they were used as lighthouses to guide sailors. To do this, they had to light bonfires, which may be where the name "faraglioni" comes from.

If you want to see them up close, I recommend a kayaking adventure. That way, you can paddle right past them. Another great option for viewing them is to visit the Punta Tragara viewpoint. You can also take a boat trip around the island.

Details of interest

• Location: 80073 Capri, NA, Italy.
• Price: there is no specific price to see the Faraglioni, however, you must pay for the experience that allows you to see them, whether it is a boat trip or transport to certain points on the island.
• Opening hours: you can see them at any time of day, but it is not recommended at night as they cannot be seen clearly.

The Natural Arch on the island of Capri dates back to the Palaeolithic age and is formed by the remains of a collapsed cave. It is made of limestone and measures about 12 metres wide and 18 metres high. If you are a photography enthusiast, you will love the fact that the arch provides the perfect backdrop for photographing seascapes.

I recommend visiting the arch in the morning or at sunset, as it is an excellent viewpoint. From there, you can see how the colours 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 have to walk to the top of a cliff. The only way to get there is on foot, so I recommend wearing comfortable, sturdy shoes for the walk. 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 from. The first one starts from the main square of the town of Capri. The second is a much more picturesque route as it takes you past the Faraglioni and the entire south-east coast.

Details of interest

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

Villa Jovis or Villa of Jupiter is an excellent place that I recommend visiting when you go to the island of Capri. It is an ancient Roman palace located in the south of the island and was built for the Roman emperor Tiberius. It is said that the emperor spent his holidays in this palace and had a secret life there.

This building covers some 7,000 square metres and has multiple terraces, walls and staircases. It is undoubtedly a remarkable example of Roman architecture of the period. Over the years, it has undergone some reconstruction, as time has deteriorated parts of its structure.

When you enter, you will notice that the residential area is located to the north of the palace. To the south are the administrative areas, and to the east is the reception area. At the entrance, the walls are open to provide a good view of Anacapri. An interesting fact is that the rainwater collection system was complex, as it collected water from the roofs and stored it in a cistern.

Bear in mind that to visit this site, you must walk from the town. The walk is approximately two kilometres, so make sure you wear your most comfortable shoes! You will also need to plan your visit, as it is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission costs an average of €5.

Useful information

• Location: Via Tiberio, 80073 Capri NA, Italy.
• Price: approximately €5.
• Opening hours: from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Monte Solaro is the highest point on the entire island, with an elevation of 589 metres. 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 taxi.

I recommend allowing plenty of time for this visit, as transport can be somewhat complicated. Although there are buses that go directly to the mountain, they usually take an hour to get there. 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 so you don't have to wait for a taxi or bus.

The funicular ride is relatively short, taking less than 15 minutes. When you arrive, you will be able to enjoy spectacular views. This plan is ideal for any time of year. If you travel to Capri from the mountain in September, you will be able to see the beautiful colours of autumn.

From Mount Solaro, you can 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.

Details of interest

• Location: 80071 Anacapri, Naples, Italy.
• Price: transport costs approximately €15.
• Opening hours: you can go at any time of day.

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

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

Just a 10-minute drive and half-hour walk from the villa, you can reach the Gardens of Augustus. These are a series of natural terraces that come from the cliff. To visit them, you must pay an entrance fee of approximately €1. Keep in mind that the hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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

Details of interest

• Location: 80076 Capri, NA, Italy.
• Price: although Villa Malaparte is not open to visitors, you can enter the Gardens of Augustus for just €1.
• Opening hours: you can visit the villa at any time of day. The gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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

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

The bay is surrounded by a wall of rocks that protects it from the wind. This makes it very peaceful and an ideal place to relax. Its beaches are public, so you won't have to pay anything to enjoy them.

Details of interest

• Location: 80076 Capri, Naples, Italy.
• Price: swimming at the beaches is free, but services are not, and these may vary.
• Opening hours: you can go at any time of day.

The luxurious island of Capri has a past that can be seen in every corner. However, its historic centre is the ideal place to learn more about it. You will see picturesque houses and places full of stories.

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

Visiting the centre of Capri is one of the 10 best things to do on the island. You can stroll through its streets, which are almost always bustling with activity, full of shops 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 on the north-eastern side of the island, just above a steep cliff approximately 327 metres high. You will feel like you are ruling the world from this height! Visiting it costs an average of €10 and it is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This site was originally the ruins of a 10th-century chapel dedicated to Saint Michael. Axel Munthe, a Swedish doctor and writer, bought it along with the surrounding land in 1895. Little by little, it was rebuilt to form what we know today as Villa San Michele.

It consists of a three-storey palace and has an architectural style that cannot be pigeonholed, as it was built to suit its owner's tastes. Outside the palace, you will see Axel Munthe's beautiful gardens that follow the contour of the cliff. Following them, you will reach the Chapel of the Sphinx, where you can make a wish by placing your hand on it and looking out to sea. Have you thought about what wish you will make?

In addition to magic and beauty, inside the mansion you will have the opportunity to see sculptures that are over 2,000 years old. You will also see archaeological remains that were recovered by Axel Munthe. Other works on display include multiple sculptures made of ceramic, wood, metal and much more.

Details of interest

• Location: Viale Axel Munthe, 34, 80071 Anacapri NA, Italy.
• Price: around €10.
• Opening hours: from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.