The island of Capri is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, on the southern side of the Gulf of Naples, facing the Sorrentine Peninsula. It has been a celebrated beauty spot and resort since the time of the ancient Roman Republic, as have other areas of Campania, such as the Amalfi Coast.

Capri is one of the most visited islands in Italy and one of the jewels that Campania hides, making it a tourist destination for both Italians and foreigners. In the 1950s it became a popular destination for the international jet set.
 
Two urban centers coexist on the island, different both for their geographical separation and for their traditions and origins: Capri and Anacapri. These differences are explained by the proximity of Capri to the sea and consequently to the Kingdom of Naples. The presence of the port has facilitated commercial and cultural exchanges and has determined greater economic development.
 

The two communities have been in an eternal conflict throughout the centuries, each determined to defend their own rights due to the lack of true autonomy, which forced them to accept the burdensome claims of the administrators sent from the peninsula to control the local economy.

WHAT TO SEE ON THE ISLAND OF CAPRI

BIG MARINE
Marina Grande is the main port of the island and therefore the first contact with the island when arriving from the Italian coast. It is located in the northern part of the island facing the Bocca Piccola Strait.
 
The town of Capri is accessed by taxi, motorcycle, car or funicular from Marina Grande and the journey with this lasts 10 minutes (2 euros).
 
PICCOLA MARINE
Marina Piccola, on the south coast of the island, preceded the Marina Grande and was used by Augustus and Tiberius.
 
CAPRI
Piazza Umberto I, better known as the Piazzetta, retains its modest urban architecture, lined with luxurious shops and expensive restaurants. Until the last century, the square housed the city’s market stalls, while today it is the symbol of the mythical dolce vita of Capri. You can see the Clock Tower and the church of San Stefano.
 
From the Piazzetta the main roads of Capri are born. In Via Camerelle, Capri’s shopping street, the best boutiques are located.
 
Centro Caprense Ignazio Cerio, a small museum that preserves some 20,000 archaeological and naturalistic finds from the island that testify to its history.
 
The Charterhouse of San Giacomo is the oldest monastery in Capri, built in 1371 by Count Giacomo Arcucci on land donated by Queen Joan I of Naples.
 
A few minutes from the city center, you can reach the Giardini di Augusto, famous for its panoramic view over the cliff, and Via Krupp, the road that leads to the sea along the coastal slope.
 
There is a car park at the entrance to the town, where vehicles must be left.
 
ANACAPRI
Anacapri is one of the largest municipalities on the island along with Capri. Both have about 7,000 inhabitants, but Capri is the municipal territory that contains the frazione (subdivision) of Marina Grande and borders the municipality of Anacapri.
 

Its name derives from the Greek ànà, which means up and Capri.

 

MOUNT SOLARO BY CHAIRLIFT

From Anacapri you take the chairlift to Monte Solaro, a little less than 600 metres. It’s worth it and the climb goes by very quickly. They are about 15 minutes with panoramic views of the entire island is impressive. The price is just over 13 euros.

 
GROTTA AZZURRA (BLUE CAVE)
The Blue Grotto is a cave in the sea with a width of 25 meters and a depth of 60 meters. But the most characteristic is the particular blue color of the water.
 
To get there on your own, you must go to Anacapri by bus and from there take another bus to Grotta Azzurra. The visit to the cave is very short, just 10 minutes and has a price of 14 euros. If you do a boat tour around the island, it is usually not included, and it is also worth it. In addition, you will pass through the mythical Fariglioni
 
Trekking
 

On the island you can take numerous walks from which you can get a completely different experience from what we can imagine what Capri is and yet they are one of the greatest gifts for our eyes, like Villa Jovis. It is a Roman palace built by Emperor Tiberius who ruled from there between 27 AD. and 37 AD. It is the largest of the twelve Tiberian villas on Capri mentioned by Tacitus. The entire complex occupies 7,000 m² and is arranged on several terraces with a difference in elevation of about 40 m. The remaining eight levels of the walls and stairs allow us to understand the greatness that the construction has had in its time. On the way down, the Arco Naturale, on the rock, is marked. The excursion lasts about four hours, since you have to do it on foot from Capri.

HOW TO GET TO THE ISLAND OF CAPRI

The island of Capri can be reached from Naples, an hour by ferry, or from Sorrento, about 40 minutes.
 
If you are going to spend only a day or two on the island, do not hesitate to rent a motorcycle, the best way to visit it. It will be difficult to reach every corner by car or public transport. Remember to rent it in advance, since the people who get on the first ferries are the ones who take them or who have a previous reservation.
 
If you don’t drive, don’t hesitate to book a day trip that takes you to the most important sites. Remember that public transport fills up and collapses and you may have the feeling of having wasted your time because you don’t have time to do anything.
 
If you like to get around by boat and reach hidden coves, rent a day trip or a private boat.
 
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TIME TO COME BACK

When planning your route through Capri, we advise you to take into account the times and not be that you are going to miss the boat. Long queues form at the funiculars that go down to the port.

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