The small Italian island of Capri is situated 5 km from the mainland in the Bay of Naples, a celebrated beauty spot and coastal resort since the days of the Roman Republic until now. It is also part of Campania.
Capri is a travel destination for both Italians and foreigners. In the 1950s, Capri became a popular travel destination. The central piazzetta of Capri is known as Capri Town. During summers, the island is heavily visited by tourists, especially by day trippers from Naples and Sorrento.
PLACE TO VISIT
Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) - The Blue Grotto is a beautiful cave at the water's edge with a tiny opening to the sea that opens and closes with the tide, used as a bath since the Roman times. The entrance is small and depending on the tide there is just enough space for only a small rowboat to get through. Dark at the entrance, one has to enter 20-30 yards and then turn around to view the beautiful sight of the light from the entrance flowing through the water lit turquoise from below by the sun. Hence the sight of the "Blue Grotto".
Villa Jovis - Villa Jovis, the splendid residence of the Emperor Tiberius, start from Piazzetta Umberto I and turn into Via delle Botteghe, continuing straight on through Via Fuorlovado, Via Croce and, finally, Via Tiberio. After visiting the villa, you could dedicate some time to other attractions in the vicinity, such as the Church of Santa Maria del Soccorso, the Cave of Tiberius and the Lighthouse Tower.
Sunrise - If you take the early ferry from Naples (the one at 6.45AM), then as you travel to Capri, the sun rises over the mountains. The sky turns from deep violet to pink to orange to gold. It is an amazingly beautiful sight, certainly worth waking up at the ungodly hour!
Hike - Nearly the entire perimeter of the island is accessible for hiking. Few people, except local fishers and hunters, take advantage of these beautiful natural trails. Several abandoned forts are found along the path and there are trails and paved descents that can take you all the way to the water's edge. This is a great way to explore the natural beauty of the island when the day tripping tourists flood the more populous regions of the island. Bring plenty of water and comfortable shoes if you do hike, you may be a long distance from the nearest road or bus stop.
Boat tour around the island - You cannot come all the way to this magical island without viewing it from the sea. Capritime Boats[4] specialises in luxury motor-yacht charters, private boat tours, water taxi and cruise excursions for the island of Capri, Amalfi Coast, Ischia, Sorrento and Naples in Italy. Next to the ferry ticket office you can also rent a boat that can fit 5 people for 2 hours at the cost of 80€. Weather permitting, you can dip the anchor and go swim around the various grottos.
Marina Piccola - is on the opposite end of the island from Marina Grande. You can walk, but the bus is probably easier. The Marina Piccola is a quieter area which has two beach areas where you can swim or layout on the smooth rock beach. But in July and August finding space on the pebbles is very difficult.
Take the chairlift ride - from Anacapri up Monte Salaro, the views from the summit are incredible, and there's some really pretty gardens and orchards underfoot on the way up the mountain. The ride takes 15 minutes each way, and you'll want at least 30 minutes at the top. €9 round trip, €7 one way. Open daily in summer 9:30 to 5PM, last run down at 5:30PM, November to March last run down at 3:30PM.
HOW TO REACH
By boat - Capri is reached in about 40 minutes by hydrofoil from the port of Ischia or Forio, docking at Marina Grande on the north side of the island. There are also daily ferries from Naples (20/day, €16, 40 minutes), Amalfi, Positano and from Sorrento (15/day, €12, 20 minutes). Boats are operated by Caremar and SNAV.
Capritime Boats - specialises in water taxi direct transfers from Naples, Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast and Ischia to Capri. They also provide luxury full-day and half-day boat tours to the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Coast from Capri, tailor itineraries for cruise ship passengers docked in Sorrento, Capri, Naples and Amalfi and also offer special Capri and Ischia island boat excursions.
