All About Capri
Capri, situated in the southern Gulf of Naples, is one of the trendiest locations in Europe. A landmass measuring 10 square kilometers, Capri was once part of the Italian mainland, connected to the Sorrento Peninsula. You can easily book ferry tickets to Capri through Ferryscanner. As an island, it was a Greek colony and later a retreat for the Romans. Having faced numerous attacks by pirates over centuries, Capri came under French rule in 1806. After being passed around between the French and the British during the Napoleonic wars, Capri was given to Ferdinand I of Two Sicilies in 1813.
The island’s reputation as a leisure destination started to rise in the late 19th century, with Capri becoming a bona fide celebrity hotspot in the 1950s. For travelers visiting now, Capri is bursting with classic and modern enchantments, from shopping extravaganzas to ancient ruins and gastronomic indulgences to unique beaches.
Routes and Ferries to Capri
It’s easy to reach Capri. Ferryscanner offers daily connections to Capri from Molo Beverello port in Naples. The voyage takes 45 minutes, making the island a popular jaunt with day-trippers from the mainland. One-way ferry tickets to Capri cost €23 per passenger on vessels operated by Navigazione Libera del Golfo.
Tourists flying into Italy, especially for a vacation in Capri, should plan to land at Naples International Airport. Flights from across Europe arrive here throughout the year. From the airport, head to the port, and simply purchase your ferry tickets to Capri.
Ports of Capri
There are two ports in Capri. Marina Piccola in the south of the island only accommodates luxury yachts and sailing boats. Tourists arriving with ferry tickets to Capri will dock at the main port, Marina Grande.
Located in the north, Marina Grande is a busy harbor in the Tyrrhenian Sea. A well-structured port, everything a traveler might need is available a few steps away from the landing stage. From the tourist office and local transports to bars, restaurants, and shops, visitors can plan for a day of sightseeing or find the best way to reach their hotel in no time.
Besides the ferries, only small boats can dock at Marina Grande. Larger vessels must anchor out in the sea and transport their passengers using tenders. The port of Capri has a tourist marina with 300 berths and is within walking distance from the biggest beach on the island.
Best Beaches in Capri
The beach scene in Capri is quite unique. While the shoreline isn’t sandy, tourists can still visit several free beaches alongside an edgy coastline. Those searching for a more organized day in the sun should head to one of the many beach clubs in Capri. These lidos offer a paid service, typically costing €15 to €30 per day. For their money, sunbathers get access to facilities like swimming pools, toilets, sun loungers, umbrellas, and restaurants in a scenic waterfront setting.
Cala Grande
Stonier than it is sandy, Cala Grande is a family-friendly beach conveniently located next to the port. Even with boats sailing nearby, the water is crystalline and a pleasure to swim or snorkel in. As the most extensive beach on the island, with rising cliffs in the background, Cala Grande stays busy throughout the day. Shops and restaurants in its vicinity make it simpler to spend hours lounging, drinking, and eating by the water.
Spiaggia di Marina Piccola
Situated in the south of the island, next to the marina, are two small beaches. You can reach them by taking the stairs from Capri Town or via a boat tour. Marina Piccola beach starts getting busy in the morning. While there is no shade, the sun disappears from overhead by late afternoon. The water along this pebble strand has mesmerizing clarity. A natural rock arch on one side of the beach is a photo-op not to miss. Although parasol rentals are slightly expensive here, Marina Piccola is a lovely place to relax, eat, and watch luxury yachts sail past.
Bagni di Tiberio
A free-to-use pebble beach on the north side of the island, it’s a 20-minute walk to Bagni di Tiberio from the port. Famous for its restaurant, the beach remains uncrowded, except for the peak summer months. That’s also when you need to book your sunloungers and umbrellas in advance. Accessible by boat from Grande Marina, the beach has changing rooms and toilets. The water is refreshing and shallow near the shore. However, it gets deep enough for a proper swim just a little further into the sea.
Spiaggia di Punta Carena
Punta Carena beach is a cute little cove near the lighthouse on the southwestern coast of Capri. It is best to wear water shoes at the beach, a favorite with the younger crowd. Access into the water is through a small path, ladders, or better yet, by jumping off rocks. Don’t forget to take your snorkeling gear. The seabed right off the shore is very dramatic, with large and small boulders creating an alien-like underwater topography.
Gradola Beach
It’s a 20-minute taxi or bus ride from Marina Grande to Gradola beach in Anacapri. Located on Capri’s western shore, you can link a visit to the beach with a trip to the Blue Grotto. Gradola is a popular restaurant perched on the side of a cliff that serves delicious seafood. Not many outsiders know that there is free access to the sea a few steps down from the eatery. While the beach is rocky and not recommended for children, minimal flat surfaces make it easy for adults to sit or lounge for a while.
Places to Visit in Capri
Capri is like a beautiful gift that just keeps on giving. To truly appreciate the island, plan for a week-long stay and spend time spotting celebrities, shopping for designer wear, eating amazing food, and admiring natural and human-made wonders. If constrained by time, maybe skip the beach and plan a day trip to visit the top attractions of Capri.
Grotta Azzurra
A magical experience that titillates the senses, the Blue Grotto is the ultimate place to visit in Capri. This world-famous cave is known for its sparkling blue water, a phenomenon that occurs due to sunlight penetrating through an underwater opening. The illuminated cavern is reachable only via rowboats that enter through a tiny passageway. The 60 meters long and 25 meters wide Blue Grotto has a low ceiling, and you’ll probably have to lie down as you sail through it. The ticket for the excursion costs €14, including the boat ride. You can reach the grotto by boat or via land. Either way, come prepared to stand in line.
Monte Solaro
Spectacular views of the Faraglioni and the Amalfi Peninsula await those who reach the top of Monte Solaro, the highest point in Capri. The climb up the 589-meter mountain takes roughly one hour. However, an exciting and faster way to go up is via a single-seater chairlift from Piazza Vittoria in Anacapri. The 12-minute ride is a spectacle in itself. Tourists get to float over rooftops and vegetation, privy to everyday life in Capri for a fleeting moment. The one-way ticket price for the chairlift is €9, and for a return trip, it is €12. On top, there is a café, a statue of Emperor Augustus, and Fortino di Bruto – a fortification built by the British in 1806.
Villa Jovis
Emperor Tiberius got 12 villas built in Capri. Out of all the residences, Villa Jovis, also known as Villa de Tiberio, is the grandest, spread over various spaces on a clifftop. Built-in AD27, Tiberius spent a few years living here after he retired from politics. The walk from Piazzetta to the villa takes roughly 40 minutes. The admission price for the estate is €6. Along the way, do stop by Parco Astarita. Free to enter, the park has several viewpoints, each promising an unbelievably remarkable panorama.
Anacapri
When visiting Capri for a day, most tourists miss out on Anacapri. The town higher up from the port is considered more authentic in its persona, providing ardent travelers a chance to know the ‘real’ Capri. It is also cheaper, less crowded, and packed with local shops that sell traditional handicraft items. While wandering around Anacapri, stop by the 18th-century Church of San Michele, famous for its tiled floor that tells the story of Adam and Eve. For a bit more architectural charm, visit Villa Rossa and the early 16th-century Church of Santa Sofia.
Gardens of Augustus
The Gardens of Augustus is a terraced estate highlighting a variety of island fauna. These botanical gardens, built in the 1930s by Friedrich Krupp, lie on a vantage point overlooking the island with views of the blue sea and Faraglioni. It’s only a 15-minute walk to get here from La Piazzetta. Besides the plants, don’t miss out on photographing Via Krupp – a zig-zag pathway that goes down the mountain. Unfortunately, the road is now permanently closed due to fear of falling rocks.
Transportation Around Capri
You can guess how big a magnet Capri is for tourists by looking at all the transportation options available on the island. For starters, don’t bring a car. As it is, outsiders cannot do that from April to November. In the winters, parking and hilly driving are still an issue. Using the local bus network is pretty straightforward. Two operators run mini-buses, which are small but frequent between the towns and tourist spots. Tickets cost €2 per adult, plus a luggage supplement if you carry more than one bag. A bus journey from Capri to Anacapri takes 15 minutes, and then another 20 minutes to the Blue Grotto.
Capri’s famous open-top taxis have a colorful island vibe about them. They carry up to seven passengers and usually have a fixed rate for the popular routes. It is possible to hire a cab for your entire day trip. Feel free to bargain with the driver over the price for a full-day booking. Taxi rates are more or less similar throughout the island. A group of 1-4 passengers can travel from Marina Grande to Capri for €17 and Capri to the popular Lido del Faro for €30.
Another enjoyable travel option is the 4-minute funicular from Marina Grande to the Piazzetta in Capri Town. If you prefer to self-drive, get a scooter. Upon arriving with ferry tickets to Capri, you’ll find bike rental agencies near the port. Also, from the marina, you can rent jet skis and boats, with or without a captain, to sail around the island.
Using transportation from one spot to another in Capri can add to your expenses. An excellent way to cut costs is to walk whenever you have to go downhill. Capri to Marina Grande is a 15-minute walk. From Anacapri, you can take the fascinating 921 Phoenician steps down to Marina Grande, stopping in-between to admire the sensational vistas.
Map of Capri
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