Are you going to Campania and looking for things to do in Capri ? The island located in the Bay of Naples in Italy has long been a destination frequented by the jet set and the wealthy. But fortunately Capri is not limited to its luxury hotels and high-end boutiques. By moving away from the center, you will discover breathtaking panoramas, historic villas with gardens, and monasteries and churches. Not to mention its famous Blue Grotto, which can be visited by boat.
So what are the best things to do in Capri in 1 day or during a weekend ? What are the must-see sights ? Where to stay in Capri ? I share all my tips in this blog article.
How to reach Capri island ?
To get to Capri from Campania in Italy, you can take a boat from Naples or from Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast. There is also a ferry connection between the islands of Ischia and Capri (50 min, Alilauro company), which avoids having to return to the mainland. In any case, you can check the schedules and prices of all ferry crossings on this website. The boats all arrive at Marina Grande, the only port in Capri.
From Naples
Several ferry companies operate the route between Naples and Capri. Some boats allow you to bring a car on board, but I advise against this option because a vehicle will be useless on the island. The main port to reach Capri from Naples is Molo Beverello next to Castel Nuovo (coordinates).
On site you will find the offices of the different ferry companies (Caremar, NLG and SNAV) where you can buy your ticket. Each company offers different outbound and return schedules depending on the season. You can check schedules and book your ticket (recommended during high season) on DirectFerries.
During our trip to Capri in October we paid €44 per person round trip with the NLG company (a 55-minute journey with the fast ferry). At the entrance to the port you will find an electronic board indicating which pier you should go to in order to board your boat, a bit like at the airport.
The last option for visiting Capri is to join a guided group tour. For example, you can choose this one which includes transport, lunch, and a guided tour of the island.
From Sorrento
Sorrento is the closest city to Capri. The crossing takes only 20 to 30 minutes depending on the boat. It’s the best departure point if you are visiting the Amalfi Coast. However, ferries only run during the season. If you want to visit Capri in winter (from November to March) you must take the boat from Naples.
In July and August it is essential to reserve your ticket because there are many visitors during this period. You can find schedules and prices via the link mentioned above. The boats depart from the port of Sorrento (coordinates).
Again, those who prefer to be guided while enjoying a cruise can choose an excursion departing from Sorrento. I recommend this one or this other cruise which includes a visit to the Blue Grotto.
Things to do in Capri : island map
The island is made up of two municipalities. The town of Capri, which also includes Marina Grande and Marina Piccola, and the town of Anacapri. Both towns (which remain quite small) have a historic center that can be explored on foot. Capri and Anacapri have quite different atmospheres, so it is interesting to visit both during your stay on the island of Capri.
During our trip in October we visited Capri at the same time as three cruise ships that had docked in Naples that day. I thought that outside the high season it would be quiet, but it turned out to be a bit complicated, especially when trying to take the tiny buses that run between the two towns. As a result, we weren’t able to do everything we wanted in one day. Visiting the island of Capri takes time, which I had underestimated. I recommend taking the first and last boat of the day to make the most of your visit. Spending a night on the island isn’t a luxury (well, maybe a little when you see the price of accommodation) if you want to explore Capri at a relaxed pace.
Marina Grande
This is the island’s only port and where ferries dock. So it’s an unavoidable stop when visiting Capri. Usually tourists don’t stay long here and head straight to the funicular to reach the village of Capri. Yet the port of Marina Grande is quite charming with its colorful houses and the fishermen’s wooden boats. If you have time, take a stroll around the port where you’ll find restaurants and bars.
Funicular
To reach the town of Capri from Marina Grande you can take either the funicular or the minibuses. Since the minibuses only carry a few passengers at a time, it’s better to take the funicular. Try to be among the first to get off the boat so you won’t have to wait too long for the funicular (the line can be quite long during high season). Because of course all the ferry passengers head straight to the funicular.
The funicular is located on the right when leaving the port and is indicated by a sign. But be careful : the ticket office is not at the funicular departure point but 50 meters further away (photo 2). This is where you buy tickets for ferries, buses, and the funicular. A one-way funicular ticket costs €2.20. During our stay in Capri in October it ran from 6:00 am to 9:20 pm with departures every 15 minutes (the schedule is roughly the same in summer).
Town of Capri
During high season you may feel a bit cramped in the small square of Capri or in the narrow streets. Don’t hesitate to move away a little and return later in the day when there are fewer people. The symbol of Capri is a lucky bell, and you’ll find some beautiful ones in the city’s jewelry shops at very reasonable prices. It makes a lovely souvenir to bring home.
Piazzetta and narrow streets
If you arrive by funicular you will come out right next to the piazzetta di Capri. From here you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the island. Piazza Umberto I, nicknamed the piazzetta, is the lively heart of the small town. It’s mainly the place to see and be seen, and the prices in the restaurants and cafés match the flashy atmosphere of this part of the island. Expect to pay €6 for a coffee. If you know Portofino or Porto Cervo in Sardinia, it’s the same kind of style. Via Camerelle is the luxury shopping street where you’ll find all the major brands. Not exactly the kind of place for everyday shopping.
Certosa di San Giacomo
To escape the crowds, head to the Charterhouse of San Giacomo in Capri. The contrast with the rest of the city was striking since we were the only ones visiting the Certosa di San Giacomo. It is located only a 10-minute walk from the Piazzetta heading south.
The monastery was built in the 14th century and later closed by the King of Naples Joachim Murat (a Frenchman) in 1808. Long abandoned, the former charterhouse is not in the best condition. Many of the church’s frescoes are badly damaged. The corridors at the beginning of the monastery house a museum dedicated to the German painter Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach, who died on the island in 1913. To be honest, I didn’t find the paintings very interesting, but I’m not the biggest fan of painting either. You can walk through the two cloisters and the garden, but don’t expect anything extraordinary ; it’s not the San Martino Charterhouse in Naples. As a result, the entrance fee is a bit expensive for what there really is to see.
Price : €6 per person.
Giardini di Augusto
The Gardens of Augustus are one of the best things to do in Capri. But contrary to what you might think, it’s not for the beauty of the flower beds. Honestly, the garden itself is nothing exceptional. If you know the gardens of the Borromean Islands on Lake Maggiore, this is nothing like them. No, people come here mainly to enjoy the magnificent viewpoint over the island, Via Krupp, and the Faraglioni (the three rock formations). If the gardens had not been created at the beginning of the 20th century, I would suspect they were built just to charge access to the viewpoint.
Price : €1.50 and free for children under 12 | Opening hours : every day from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm (last entry 7:30 pm).
Via Krupp
This is the most legendary road in Capri, carved into a cliff 100 meters deep. It connects Marina Piccola with the Giardini di Augusto. It is actually a paved pedestrian path because it is impossible to drive on it. The path is currently closed due to the risk of rockfalls, but work will start so it can reopen. In the meantime you can admire its famous hairpin bends from the Gardens of Augustus, which offer the best view.
The road was commissioned by the German industrialist Friedrich Alfred Krupp at the beginning of the 20th century. He liked to spend winters in Capri and wanted to reach his yacht on foot from his hotel located on the heights.
Town of Anacapri
The village of Anacapri, located higher up on the island, is less touristy than the town of Capri. This becomes especially clear when you move away from the long street lined with shops and restaurants that crosses the historic center. During our stay in Capri we encountered far fewer people there.
To reach Anacapri from Capri you must take a minibus. The ticket is purchased at the bus station in the town of Capri (here via Roma). From Capri you can reach Marina Grande, Marina Piccola, and Anacapri by bus between 6 am and midnight. The fare is €2.20 one way, but I recommend buying a round-trip ticket directly for €4.40. It will be easier, especially if you are in a hurry on the way back. It is also possible to buy a full-day ticket for €6.50, which is interesting if you plan to take the bus at least three times. Tickets are sold at a higher price by the drivers on board (€2.70).
Chiesa di San Michele
This baroque church located in the historic center of Anacapri is one of the must-see sights. Chiesa di San Michele was built in 1719 and represents one of the most valuable examples of 18th-century Neapolitan art. The floor of the church is entirely covered with majolica tiles. It depicts the Garden of Eden and the expulsion of Adam and Eve after the original sin. The tiles were made in Naples in 1761. Visitors walk around using raised walkways so as not to damage the artwork. For an overall view, climb the spiral staircase at the entrance which allows you to see it from above.
Price : €2 | Opening hours : 9 am – 7 pm
Casa Rossa museum
This Pompeian red house located on Via Giuseppe Orlandi is one of the most unusual buildings on the island. It was built between 1876 and 1899 by a wealthy American next to an old 15th-century tower. The house has now been converted into a museum where several exhibitions of paintings can be admired. It also houses the three Roman statues found in the Blue Grotto.
Price : €3.50 | Opening hours : 10 am – 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm – 8 pm from June 1 to September 30 (10 am – 4 pm the rest of the year) – Closed on Mondays.
Panoramic viewpoint
To enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramas over the island of Capri, head to the end of Via Axel Munthe just after Villa San Michele (coordinates). From here you can see the port of Marina Grande, the town of Capri on the heights, and far in the background on the left the Amalfi Coast.
From the viewpoint you can take the “Scala Fenicia” stairs to reach the port of Marina Grande. It’s a beautiful walk to do on the island (especially downhill) if you have some time or plan to spend several days visiting Capri. Allow about 30 minutes to descend and more time to climb the 921 steps in the other direction. In the past, before the road was built, this was the only route linking Capri and Anacapri.
Villa San Michele di Axel Munthe
The villa of Swedish writer and physician Axel Munthe is mainly known for its gardens and panoramic view. The gardens were voted the most beautiful private gardens in Italy in 2014. Inside the house you can see an art collection gathered by Axel Munthe, mainly Roman, Etruscan, and Egyptian objects.
We did not visit Villa San Michele. If you are only interested in the panorama, I recommend going directly to the viewpoint mentioned just above. It’s the same view and it’s free. Because the entrance fee to the villa is quite expensive.
Price : €10 (€6 for children and students) | Opening hours : 9 am – 6 pm from May to September (closes earlier outside these months) – Closed on Mondays.
Monte Solaro Chairlift
This single-seat chairlift allows you to reach the highest point of the island of Capri at 589 meters above sea level, Monte Solaro. The departure point is located in the square in the center of Anacapri (coordinates). The ride on the chairlift takes 13 minutes compared to 1 hour if you prefer to walk. At the top, the view is superb. I would have liked to go up, but with all those cruise passengers arriving on Capri at the same time as us, the timing was too tight to take the bus and the ferry again in the late afternoon.
Price : €9 one way or €12 round trip | Opening hours : 9:30 am – 5 pm from May to October (closes earlier outside the season).
Villa Lysis and villa Jovis
The two villas, Lysis and Jovis, are located on the far eastern side of the island, about a 50-minute walk from the Piazzetta of Capri. They can only be reached on foot, so it’s best to have some time available for the visit and the round trip. That’s why visiting them in a single day in Capri seems a bit complicated unless you make them your priority. I would rather recommend them to those staying several days in Capri.
Villa Lysis was built between 1904 and 1905 in an Art Nouveau style. There isn’t much to see inside, but you can enjoy the gardens and the superb view. Villa Jovis located nearby is an archaeological site in ruins (entry €6) which was the permanent residence of Emperor Tiberius from 27 to 37. It is the largest of the twelve Tiberian villas in Capri.
Marina Piccola
The seaside area of Marina Piccola is located south of the island of Capri opposite Marina Grande where the ferries dock. Marina Piccola is mainly known for its beautiful beach and its seaside restaurants where you can enjoy a lovely view of the Faraglioni. Since the beach is quite sheltered, it’s a good option for swimming if it’s windy or the sea is rough. The water is clear and you can go snorkeling around the rocks. Part of the beach is private with sun loungers (as is often the case in Italy).
The easiest way to get to Marina Piccola is to take the bus from the Capri town bus station (line no. 2). A bus ticket costs €2.20 one way. Otherwise you can walk there in 30 minutes from the Piazzetta.
The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra)
This sea cave located on the northwest coast is certainly the most famous attraction on Capri. Sunlight illuminates the translucent turquoise-blue water which contrasts with the dark interior of the cave. To access the Blue Grotto you must take a small rowboat (it’s impossible to go there on foot). You will easily find this excursion on the island, often combined with another visit. I recommend booking in advance, especially if you are visiting Capri during the high season. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity.
- Capri : Island Boat Trip with Grottos
- From Sorrento : Capri Boat Tour with Blue Grotto
- From Naples : Capri, Anacapri, and Blue Grotto Full-Day Trip
Beaches in Capri
Spending a vacation in Capri, especially in summer, also means enjoying the beaches and the Mediterranean Sea. But I prefer to warn you right away: the island does not have beautiful sandy beaches where you can relax in the sun. Although the water is always beautiful and translucent, you will mostly find pebble areas or even rocks.
Here are the 3 most popular beaches in Capri :
- Spiaggia Marina Grande, the closest to the ferry port and easily accessible on foot when arriving.
- Spiaggia Bagni di Tiberio, a very small beach near Marina Grande but with more difficult access.
- Spiaggia di Marina Piccola, located in the far south of the island and easily reachable by bus from Capri town.
Where to stay in Capri ?
To visit Capri over several days and enjoy a bit more peace and quiet in the evening, I recommend staying one or two nights on the island. Capri is not known for budget accommodation, but by booking in advance and outside the months of July and August it is possible to find reasonable prices. You will find many bed and breakfasts and mostly 4-star hotels. For the cheapest options, look in Anacapri.
- 78 € : B&B La Melodia, this bed and breakfast is the cheapest accommodation for staying in Capri and it is also rated excellent. It is very well located in the historic center of Anacapri. You will stay in a mezzanine studio with breakfast included.
- 100 € : B&B Il Tramonto, this guesthouse in Anacapri offers large 40 m² double rooms with breakfast included. Superb sea panorama from the terrace, perfect for enjoying a sunset while sipping a beer.
- 113 € : Hotel Villa Sarah, if you want to stay in Capri town itself, this 4-star hotel is the cheapest accommodation in the municipality. Breakfast is included and there is also a garden view. Some rooms have a sea view.
- 155 € : Hotel Weber Ambassador, this beautiful property located in Marina Piccola offers rooms with sea views. It provides a free shuttle service to and from the center of Capri, which is quite convenient. If you don’t want to go down to the beach, the 4-star hotel also has two swimming pools and two hot tubs.
- 161 € : Villa Giardini Luxury Room, it’s hard to be more central than this B&B located just steps from the Piazzetta of Capri. It is perfectly located to enjoy the atmosphere and restaurants of the old town (and to take the funicular when visiting Capri).
- 180 € : Boutique Hotel Casa Mariantonia, located in Anacapri, this hotel offers beautiful rooms with terraces decorated in the typical Capri style. Lovely swimming pool with sun loungers set in a garden. Breakfast included.
Where to eat : island specialties
As I mentioned several times in this travel guide to Capri, the island does not offer the best value for money in Italy. This is also true for its restaurants where prices are quite high. If you visited Naples before coming here, the prices are much higher than in the capital of Campania. I recommend avoiding the establishments around the Piazzetta which are, in my opinion, tourist traps (€6 for a coffee for example). By moving away from the square you will find good places, especially for fish and seafood.
For our part we had lunch in Anacapri, which is less touristy than Capri, in a charming restaurant that we recommend (La Rondinella). We ate one of the local specialties, Capri ravioli (€14), and of course a torta caprese for dessert (€7).
You now know what to do in Capri in Italy. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments on the blog.