Island of Capri’s popularity isn’t exaggerated as it rightly owns its wild cliffs springing from the blue sea, the dramatic coastal scenery, villas draped in bougainvillea, spectacular scenic hikes, covetous fashion boutiques, upscale hotels, and untamed nightlife. History shows that Emperor Augustus and Emperor Tiberius both had their homes here, and it still remains famed in the modern world. Basically, Capri is divided into two parts: Capri and Anacapri. To cover Capri completely, the travel duration is estimated to be 3 days. Although, if one has 24 hours, one can consider the following itinerary for a memorable Capri trip.
About The Island Of Capri
An island located in the Tyrrhenian Sea and opposite the Sorrento Peninsula, it lies in Italy’s Bay Of Naples. This single-block limestone island has a cliff-lined coast which has two indentations serving as landing places. They are Marina Grande on the north shore and Marina Piccola on the south. Most people arrive via Marina Grande, which is a day trip to Capri. Its neighboring towns are Naples, Positano, and Sorrento, thus, people visit Capri from here itself mostly.
Things To Do In Capri
Visiting the Blue Grotto (Anacapri)
Another worldly experience can be felt when one navigates under the meter-high cave mouth known as Blue Grotto. A natural sea cave that is 60 meters long and 25 meters wide has crystalline blue water where sunlight seeps in giving it a translucent appearance. As the rowboat enters the mouth of the Blue Grotto, one needs to bend their head down until they are plummeting into heaven itself. Despite the island having several grottos, Blue Grotto is worth seeing. Two companies that offer tours to Blue Grotto are Laser and Motoscafisti Capri. The tour operates from 9 am to 5 pm and costs around 14 Euros per person.
One can travel from Marina Grande to Blue Grotto via boat tour starting at pier 23 in the port of Capri. Tickets can be purchased at the Floating Office. The grotto inside lasts for merely 5 minutes, and it is prohibited to swim inside the grotto. It closes in case of rough seas or high winds.
Boat Tour Of Capri Island
This can be covered along with visiting the Blue Grotto and one can book this tour as they get off the ferry at Marina Grande. The tour involves visiting the Faraglioni Rocks which are 3 massive rock formations known as Stella, di Mezzo, di Fuori having some caves as well. Not only this but the Statue of Scugnizzo, The Tiberius Leap, the entry points various grottos, Punta Carena Lighthouse are the major highlights of this tour. It takes around 2 hours for the entire island trip and costs around 20 Euros per person. A group of 4 to 5 people are allowed on this tour.
Visiting the Highest Point of Capri
Monte Solaro is the highest and the most panoramic point on the island of Capri. Situated at the height of 589 meters above sea level, one can overlook the incredible Faraglioni Rock Formations, the center of the town of Capri, the Sorrento Peninsula, the Gulf of Naples, and the Galli Islands, and also the Gulf of Salerno from this point itself.
Two ways to reach Monte Solaro Summit
One can reach the summit of Mount Solaro via chairlift departing Piazza Vittoria & reaching the summit in 12 minutes. The chairlift costs around 12 euros for a round trip and operates from 9.30 am to 5.30 am from May to October and 9.30 am to 3.30 pm during winters. The chairlift is meant for a single passenger and can be reached by taking a bus from Marina Grande or Capri to Anacapri, Piazza Vittoria Stop.
The boat tour of the island, as well as Mount Solaro, can be finished by noon. If one's hungry stomachs aren't clamoring for food yet, they can hike down Monte Solaro and come across Cetrella Valley. The famous albeit tiny Church of Santa Maria with blooming orchids and oaks around along with the hermitage of Santa Maria Di Cetrella harking back to the 16th century is a time-turner experience indeed.
La Piazzetta
The main town square in Capri is a place where you can stop to refresh yourself with a coffee and authentic food of Capri while immersing in its element. Known as one of the most fashionable squares in the world, La Piazzetta has been the heart of the island. The locals call it “Piazza Umberto 1”. You can be lucky to spot a few celebrities here, whereas quite a retreat to relax, eat and chill until you continue with the pending trip. After La Piazzetta, one can also stroll down Via Camerelle, renowned for its luxury shops and fashion boutiques. Also, few other places In Anacapri for a hearty meal are Villa Jovis Restaurant, Sciue Sciue, The Queen Pub, Boccone, Bar Grotta Azzurra Anacapri etc.
Villa San Michele
If you are an ardent lover of art, head over to this house museum. Created by the 19th-century Swedish writer and physician Axel Munthe, it beholds panoramic views of the island. This museum primarily showcases a vast art collection with a few famous artworks such as the Sphinx which is 3200 years old, the Cosmat Table dating back to the 12th or 13th century, a Roman woman with a child estimated to be between 13 BC to 5 AD, the Egyptian Horus Falcon dating back to 1000 BC, the sculpted head of Odysseus, the Head of Medusa, Hypnos, Tiberius, Bacchus, etc. The place operates from 9 am to 3.30 pm and sometimes, from 9.30 to 5.30 pm. The tickets cost around 10 Euros for the museum tour.
By the time you have covered everything mentioned above, it’s already evening. Nature lovers can be at the rocky coves of Anacapri and can also dive directly albeit the water is deep. Anacapri does not have sandy beaches like Capri, unfortunately but still gorgeous in its own way.