Take a ferry to Capri and visit one of the world's most cosmopolitan resorts, known for its stunning natural beauty, delicious cuisine, and high-class shopping!
Capri is an island located in the Tyrrhenian Sea of the Sorrento Peninsula, on the south side of the Gulf of Naples in the Campania region of Italy, Metropolitan City of Naples. The island of Capri is composed of two municipalities: Capri and Anacapri, each with its own administration, with the town of Capri being the commune and the island's main population center while Anacapri is the second-largest village, built on the west side of Mount Solaro, on a high plateau, offering breathtaking views.The island has a mythical charm from Ancient times with its beauty known from the wanderings of Odysseus in Homer's works.
During the later half of the 19th century (around 1950), Capri became a popular resort for European artists, writers and other celebrities and for people that were seeking for a safe place to live a more open lifestyle. Nowadays the island is a tourist attraction especially for day travelers coming from Naples and Sorrento and is a very popular destination for both Italians and foreigners. It is definitely a place to see and be seen and this is one of the reasons why so many celebrities anchor their yachts in Marina Grande which is the main port of the island located in its narrowest part,under a green slope with scattered houses.
Capri, besides the elegance it exudes, also has several monuments, museums, old churches, ancient paths, and breathtaking places that the traveler will love to explore. In addition it has a rich fauna where between the various birds and fish is the famous blue lizard of the Faraglioni. The natural beauty coming from the rocky caves, the unique architecture of houses and Roman villas that are drowned in bougainvillea scattered all over the island, the picturesque Marina Piccola (the little port), the three limestone peaks known as Faraglioni, emerging from the azure blue water, the town of Anacapri, the Blue Grotto, and the incredible views of the various towns surrounding the island of Capri (Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Sorrento, Nerano, and Naples) have rightly contributed so this island rightly has been a source of inspiration for poets, romantic souls, lovers, and travelers for years now.
Special mention must be made of Capri's most famous place and one of the most beloved squares in the world, the little Piazzetta with its characteristic symbol, the Clock Tower. This lively little square is covered with numerous cafes and restaurants that operate almost 24 hours. It is the busiest part of the island, a meeting place for visitors and locals where you can sit next to famous actors, billionaires and princesses enjoying a drink, a coffee or one of the fantastic ice creams in this distinguished atmosphere.
So get your suitcases ready, with the girls wearing capri pants (they got their name from this location) and book your tickets to Capri in advance, an incredible travel destination that is not accidentally at the top of the taste for a lot of people arriving here from different parts of the world.
Ferries to Capri
Ferries to Capri connect the island with both the mainland and other nearby islands.There are several leading shipping companies operating in the connection to and from the port of Capri by ferries but mainly by hydrofoils which are smaller but faster vessels. The main connections are with ferries from Sorrento to Capri and also ferries from Capri to Naples, Amalfi, Salerno & Positano and in Gulf of Napoli to Ischia.
More specifically:
- Sorrento to Capri: 23 weekly crossings with sailing duration 20 min
- Capri to Naples: 9 daily crossings with sailing duration from 45 min to 1hr and 15 min depending on the vessel
- Capri to Amalfi: 45 weekly crossings with sailing duration 1 hr
- Capri to Salerno: 7 weekly crossings with sailing duration 1 hr and 30 min
- Capri to Positano: 45 weekly crossings with sailing duration from 25 min to 50 min depending on the carrier and type of vessel
- Ischia to Capri: 7 weekly crossings with sailing duration 1 hr and 10 min
- Capri to Castellammare di Stabia: 10 weekly crossings with sailing duration from 40 min to 1 hr depending on the carrier
Capri port
The island has two harbours, Marina Piccola and Marina Grande which is the main terminal port located on the north side of the island.It is a very busy port especially during the summer period.On the west side of Marina Grande is the commercial center where ferries from Naples and Sorrento arrive as well as many tour boats. At the west end of Marina Grande is the hub of the port, where Piazza Vittoria ends and this is the starting point for departures to different parts of the island. The funicular that goes up to Capri town, the bus and taxi station, as well as the ferry ticket issuing point are all located there. From the marina starts a paved coastal road that goes west to the commercial part of the port, and it is a busy crowded road, with shops, cafes and restaurants and bars.
Port of Capri to Capri Town
The way to get from Marina Grande, the main port of Capri to Capri town, is by three means, by funicular, by bus, by cab and of course on foot! Most of the year in Capri and particularly from Mid-March to the beginning of November, is not allowed the use of cars or motorcycles to non-residents on the island. However, as most roads are pedestrian and there is little parking, the car option is of little use to tourists given the fact that public transport on the island is excellent, easy and convenient, and there are always taxis available.In addition the fastest way to get from Marina Grande to the center of Capri is the funicular, which climbs uphill through lemon groves and drops you directly in the Piazzetta.
By Funicular
The easiest way to be transported from the port to the town is by funicular which departs every 15 min with a duration of 15 min.The departures are increased during the peak period. The ticket office for the funicular in the Marina Grande area is located at the end of the arrival pier on the right, near the high-speed ferry ticket offices. During January through March, the funicular is closed for maintenance and the bus option is available during this time.
Public Bus
In Capri, the buses are not those of the big cities, as they would not be able to navigate the narrow streets of the island, but there are 10-seater minibuses which are almost always very crowded. There are bus terminals in Marina Grande, in Capri Town (near the Piazzetta) and in Anacapri which allow visitors to reach every point on the island. From the port of Marina Grande there is a frequent bus service every 10 minutes.
Taxis
There are many taxis available at the port and can be called along the way or by phone. The island has specially designed taxis with the distinctive awning, they are Capri's trademark and make routes to all parts of the island. They can carry 7 passengers and are open -top for a great island adventure and experience. Fares are fixed for common routes and there is a meter for longer distances. For a tour to see the whole island, it will be advisable to agree on a fixed rate with the driver depending on the length of the tour, the route and the number of passengers.
On Foot
Especially in the summer, when there are long lines of tourists at the bus station waiting to get on the bus, it seems that the best option to reach the town from the port is on foot. Also, walking in Capri is definitely very scenic and the only chance to see different parts of the town that are difficult to see by bus. So wear comfortable shoes because the road is a steep climb with many steps. The walking distance from Marina Grande to Capri is about 30 minutes.
Vacations in Capri
Unquestionably, vacations in Capri is for many a life dream.The island that is known as the “Isle of Romance’’ has a legendary reputation and has been a favorite destination in Europe for more than 2,000 years, captivating a variety of characters, from Roman emperors to 21st century figures and celebrities.Capri is an elegant island, a fabulous resort for those seeking pleasure and a luxurious cosmopolitan atmosphere.Millions of tourists every year visit Capri for its natural beauty, its unique landscapes, its spectacular sunsets and its evocative charm.
No surprise that this island is chosen as a destination by celebrities but also rich tycoons for the glamor that exudes.It has established itself as the island of la dolce vita since the 1950s and has been a favorite destination of world stars and fashion icons (from Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Onassis to Liz Taylor and Kirk Douglas) who spent their summers on Capri, establishing a fashion that has gone down in history: capri pants, handcrafted sandals, wide-brimmed hats and huge sunglasses. Start walking through the picturesque town with its whitewashed stone buildings and small car-free streets, and you'll remember familiar scenes from a cinema movie. Luxurious hotels in the area are often ranked among the best in the world , expensive bars, fine restaurants, and upscale boutiques. Relax in the Piazzetta and enjoy a coffee or drink a limoncello, the typical Italian drink, in an outdoor cafe before your next island exploration!
Sights of Capri
Below are some of the sights to see in Capri :
- The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra), the most visited attraction in Capri is the Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto), a cave discovered in the 19th century by two German artists
- The Faraglioni, the three limestone peaks(sea stacks), symbol of Capri
- The Mount Solaro, which stands at 589 meters above sea level, is the highest and most panoramic point of the island
- Augustus Gardens - Via Krupp, they consist of a series of flowering panoramic terraces that overlook the Faraglioni on one side and the bay of Marina Piccola and Via Krupp on the other
- Villa Jovis, the largest and best preserved of the 12 villas of Tiberius found in Capri, where one finds a number of steps faced with marble slabs originating from the Roman Villa
- Piazzetta, the center of life in Capri town, one of the most famous squares worldwide
- Marina Piccola (the little harbour), a pretty little bay with view of the Faraglioni
- The town of Anacapri (Historic center), the second largest village of Capri, is quiet with peaceful piazzas and less developed
- Charterhouse of St. Giacomo, built-in 1371 by Giacomo Arcucci, is the oldest historic building on the Island of Capri.
- The Belvedere of Tragara, a high panoramic promenade lined with villas, a nice view towards the Faraglioni rocks and great photo opportunities
- The Ruins of the Imperial Roman Villas, on one side of the grotto are the remains of ancient Roman rock, with a narrow caver
- Migliera, is a small path which leads through the countryside of Anacapri, among the vineyards where the island's wine is produced. The little road ends at the Belvedere del Tuono
- Pizzolungo, a footpath which traces the coastline all the way to the Natural Arch
- Natural Arch, is a natural arch on the east coast of the island of Capri. Dating from the Paleolithic age, it is the remains of a collapsed grotto. The arch spans 12 m at a height of 18 m above ground and consists of limestone
- Grotta di Matermania, is a large, natural cave on the east coast of the island of Capri, Italy near the Natural Arch. The cave is approximately 27 m long, 18 m wide, and 18 m high
- Punta Carena, the lighthouse, was built in 1866 and is the second tallest in Italy (after Genoa), it is among the most important of all those guarding over the Tyrrhenian Sea
- Villa San Michele, Villa San Michele was the home of the Swedish physician Axel Munthe. This villa was built on the ruins of an ancient Chapel and houses an important art collection. The majority is of Roman, Etruscan or Egyptian origin, many are sculptures.One of these is the fabled 3200-year-old sphinx
- Villa Damecuta, is one of twelve Roman imperial villas built by Emperor Tiberius located on a rocky point and close to a small pine forest
- Phoenician Steps, is an ancient, long, steep stone stairway that connects the port of Marina Grande with the town of Anacapri. Despite its name, it was built by Greek settlers around the 7th or 6th centuries BC
Beaches in Capri
On Capri, the beaches are not large and sandy but are small, often made of rocks or pebbles. They are often small coves with clear blue water that invite visitors to dive off the rocks.
Some notable beaches are the following:
- Marina Grande Beach, is the largest beach on the island just west of the port. It is made of pebbles and is easily accessible.Suitable for children
- Marina Piccola Beach, together with Marina Grande Beach are the only that can be defined as beaches in the sense that there is a stretch of pebbles along the waterfront and suitable for children
- Bagni di Tiberio, considered the island’s best beach for 2,000 years, is a mixture of pebbles and sand, as well as large rocks for sunbathers.Can be reached by foot or by boat from Marina Grande
- Marina di Mulo, is located in the south side of the island, and was a beloved destination for jet setters in the 1950s and 1960s. Be there early in the day, since the sun usually leaves the bay by 4 p.m
- Beaches of Faraglioni, in the Faraglioni rocks, there are two luxurious private beach clubs with white mattresses scattered on the artificial sand. You can get there by taking a shuttle from Marina Piccola
- Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra), near Blue Grotto you can find rocks from which it is possible to access the sea
- Punta Carena Beach, near the Punta Carena lighthouse, you can access the sea from rocks. It will take a 20-minute walk from Anacapri
- Piscina di Venere, a secluded beach.You can hire a boat and ask the driver to come back at a specified time
Hotels in Capri
There is a wide range of luxury hotels, boutique hotels, villas and budget accommodations on Capri to fully experience one of the world's most cosmopolitan islands.
- Caesar Augustus
- Capri Palace Hotel & Spa
- Capri Tiberio Palace
- Grand Quisisana
- J.K. Place, Capri
- La Minerva
- Monte Solaro
- Boutique B&B Bettola del Re
- Gatto Bianco
- Belvedere & Tre Re
- 4 Stagioni
- Casa Gaia
- Fortino Bed & Breakfast
Day tours around Capri
When tourists decide to spend their vacations in Capri, they know that in addition to the island itself, they will have the opportunity to experience various day tours around the island by sea, with its steep coastlines, impressive caves, and hidden bays.These tours can be easily arranged with a private boat rental, which is ideal for travelers who have the time to enjoy the charms of Capri.
Some of the classic day tours around Capri:
- Organize a tour to Blue Grotto
- A tour to “La Dolce Vita”
- Capri day tour to the Faraglioni
- Mini Cruise to the Amalfi Coast