Oh Capri, I love you so! Breathtaking, peaceful and mesmerizing – memories of visiting Capri will forever be etched on my mind. It was one of the most relaxing and memorable vacations we’ve had so far.
I can’t wait to return to this stunning Italian island but until I do so, I wanted to share a travel guide on how to spend two amazing days on Isola di Capri. This travel guide on visiting Capri offers details on how to get there, where we stayed and the best things to do during your visit.
Capri is surrounded by the brilliant blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The dramatic limestone cliffs and famous grottos dotting its edges add to the charm of this island. It is stunningly beautiful! No wonder, Capri was once the vacation destination of Roman emperors. In fact, it remains an extremely popular Italian destination to this day.
This relatively small island captured our hearts with its scenic vistas, culinary delights, and friendly locals. I hope that this travel guide will help make your trip to the Isola di Capri as magical as ours!
Contents
Visiting Capri: How to get there from Naples or Sorrento
Capri is located on the south side of the Bay of Naples, Italy. Due to its location, the only way to reach Capri is by taking the ferry or the hydrofoil (high-speed ferry). Ferries run frequently from Naples and Sorrento making visiting Capri convenient. In addition, during the peak tourist season in summer, we were told that ferries also run from Positano, Amalfi, Salerno, and Ischia to Capri.
The high-speed ferries from Sorrento take about 25 minutes to reach Capri. On the other hand, ferries that depart from Naples (Molo Beverello or Calata di Massa) take about an hour to reach Capri.
High-speed ferry from Sorrento to Capri
We took the hydrofoil from Sorrento to Capri as we had visited Pompei and Sorrento earlier that day. The departure point for our ferry was Marina Piccola in Sorrento. I had purchased our ferry tickets in advance online from OKFerry and found their booking service to be prompt and reliable. Other notable ferry services are the ones run by SNAV and Caremar and these also allow online booking.
The ferries and port tend to be crowded during the morning hours with plenty of tourists visiting Capri as a day trip. So, we took the ferry in the late afternoon which turned out to be a great experience. With Vesuvius in the backdrop, as our ferry left the Sorrento port, we knew we were in for a scenic ride. We sat on the outside deck of the ferry to enjoy the views as our ferry sped towards Capri.
Outbound ferries from Capri
Visiting Capri: Arrival at Marina Grande on Isola di Capri
All ferries arriving at Capri dock at the Marina Grande. From the Marina Grande, either taxi (somewhat expensive) or bus can be taken to reach Capri town or Anacapri. There is also a funicular that runs between Marina Grande and Piazza Umberto (the main Piazza of Capri) . The wait time at the bus stop and the funicular near Marina Grande can be quite long depending on the number of tourists visiting Capri. However, both the bus and the funicular services are reliable and the most economical way of getting around the island
Our stay in Capri at B&B Palazzo a Mare
Our stay at this B&B made our visit to Capri even more special. Theresa and Grazziano provided us with a warm welcome and gave us a detailed overview of the island and suggestions of the must-sees when visiting Capri. Our day would start by enjoying their delicious breakfast spreads which included freshly baked, homemade Italian cakes. In addition, Theresa welcomed us back in the evenings with chilled homemade limoncello – such a treat!
This B&B also had a beautiful garden to relax in and was a short walk away from Palazzo a Mare beach. Capri captured our hearts and our stay at this B&B was one that we will always cherish.
Visiting Capri, Italy: The Best Things to do During Your Trip
1. Take the boat tour around the island and visit the famous Blue Grotto:
2. Ride the chairlift to the top of Monte Solaro when visiting Capri
Located in Anacapri, one of the most popular activities for visitors is riding the chairlift to the top of Monte Solaro. Several visitors take the chairlift on their return trip while others choose to hike down from Monte Solaro to Anacapri. The views as you ride up the chairlift are truly stunning. Perched in the little chair that fits only one person, you glide over homes and lovingly maintained gardens
3. Enjoy the panoramic views from the top of Monte Solaro
4. Stroll along the streets of Capri
5. Enjoy an evening walk through Giardini di Augusto (Gardens of Augustus)
6. Catch the breathtaking views of the iconic Faraglioni Rocks
7. Stop by Buonocore for some delicious gelato when visiting Capri
8. Explore Anacapri – the less touristy town on the Isle of Capri
Anacapri is the less touristy town on the island of Capri. It is located on the western side of the island at a higher elevation. The easiest way to reach Anacapri is by bus or by taxi. The approximately 3km drive from Capri up the steep, winding road towards Anacapri is visually stunning. The buses arrive in Anacapri at the Piazza Vittoria stop.
A leisurely walk along Via Giuseppe Orlandi in Anacapri brought us across beautiful artisan shops. As we explored Anacapri further, we were able to see locals sitting on benches adorned with beautiful hand-painted majolica tiles. The chair lift to the top of Monte Solaro is located on Via Caposcuro, very close to the Piazza Vittoria. La Chiesa di San Michele (San Michele church) is also located in Anacapri and it is famous for its unique floor that depicts the Paradise on Earth painted over majolica tiles. We were pleasantly surprised by the peaceful atmosphere on Anacapri.
9.Climb down the Phoenician Steps from Anacapri to Capri
10. Find the hidden beaches of Capri
The Marina Grande and Marina Piccola beaches are very popular with tourists visiting Capri and locals alike. These beaches are completely packed with people enjoying the views of the brilliant blue waters under the clear skies. However, there are also other off-the-beaten-path beaches tucked away around Capri and that’s where we headed to in the evening.
Palazzo a Mare beach was located a few minutes walk from our B&B and what a hidden gem this was! As we sat on this beach that we seemed to have all to ourselves, we watched sailboats pass by while gazing at the gorgeous sunset in the distance. What a perfect way to spend the evening!
11. Explore the area around La Piazzetta (Piazza Umberto) when visiting Capri
La Piazzetta (Piazza Umberto) is the main square of Capri town. The clock tower of Capri (Torre del Orologio ) is one of the famous landmarks of the island and it is located in the heart of the Piazzetta. The Cathedral of Santo Stefano also towers above this Piazzetta and can be easily reached by climbing just a few steps from the Piazzetta. Piazza Umberto is dotted with restaurants, trendy boutiques and souvenir shops and can be easily reached by bus or by funicular. The funicular stop is located right behind the clock tower and the bus stop is located a few meters from it. From the bus stop located near the Piazzetta, buses run to the town of Anacapri, Marina Grande, and the Marina Piccola.
One of the most gorgeous views of the island can be seen when we exit the funicular and climb up the steps towards the Piazzetta. Even though this main square is always buzzing with activity, take the time to enjoy the commanding views, especially in the mornings or evenings when visiting Isola di Capri.
12. Stop by the perfume factory of Carthusia
13. Taste the locally-made alcoholic beverage – Limoncello when visiting Capri
Italian Limocello is a lemon liqueur that is particularly popular in Southern Italy, especially along Amalfi Coast and Capri. The locals drink limoncello after the meal as a ‘digestivo‘. The alcohol content in it can vary quite a lot and tends to be on the higher side for alcoholic beverages. Limoncello is made from the macerated zest of lemons that are grown locally. My first taste of limoncello was when our gracious B&B hostess,Theresa, offered us her homemade limoncello one evening. Tasting the flavorful limoncello when visiting Capri is an experience in itself!
14. Stroll along the luxury shopping street of Capri – Via Camerelle
Shopping along Via Camerelle is like shopping along Rodeo Drive. There are so many luxury boutique stores lining up this shopping street that it can be a shopping paradise for those wishing to indulge in some high-end shopping when visiting Capri. However, for those preferring to window shop instead (like me), a walk along this beautiful and romantic street is enjoyable too. The window displays in the boutiques are stunning and there are several restaurants located on Via Camerelle where visitors can stop by for a delicious meal.
15. Head off-the-beaten-path when visiting Capri for a walk along Via Tragara
We reached the start of Via Tragara as we walked down Via Camerelle in the direction away from the Piazzetta. Walking along the Via Tragarra brought us to a well-marked intersection. From this intersection, the left street went towards Arco Naturale, whereas the path to the slight right lead to Belvedere Tragara and Faraglioni beach. The streets in Capri are well marked at the intersections and so it was easy to follow the walking routes around the island.
While we were not able to see Arco Naturale when visiting Capri due to the path being closed for restoration, we decided to head towards Belvedere Tragara instead. Belvedere Tragara is one of the most scenic vantage points in Capri and offers a stunning view of the Faraglioni Rocks. We followed the steps beyond Belvedere Tragara that lead us further on Via Tragara towards the Faraglioni Beach. Exploring this quieter yet equally stunning side of Capri was a delight. It somehow reminded me of our memorable hike from Monterosso to Vernazza in Cinque Terre.
I wish we could have spent a few more days in Capri but there’s always a next time! Our visit to Capri turned out to be one of the highlights of our Italian vacation. We fell in love with Capri and will definitely return to this charming island someday. Until then…..Ciao Capri!
Hello ! I’m Aditi …..
Welcome to Land Of Travels – a travel blog that my husband Manish and I started to share our travel stories and travel tips. We are full-time professionals, dedicated parents, foodies, and it is our shared passion for traveling that lead us to become part-time bloggers.
I was born and brought up in Northern India, lived in Bay Area, California for nearly two decades and currently reside in Ontario, Canada. Since childhood, I’ve always had a passion to travel far & wide and experience different cultures. I am passionate about planning our trips and exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations.
My sincere hope is that the travel tips offered on this blog will help you plan your next memorable adventure.
Happy travels!
~ Aditi Sharma ~
Wow. This post gave me such wanderlust! Capri looks absolutely beautiful.
The capital looks so colourful! All your photos are so beautiful, Aditi!
Oh wow! Capri looks like our kind of place. What made me fall in love with it most is the photo of you on the staircase with those incredible views! Planning to go to Italy as soon as possible – you just put Capri on our to do list for sure 😀
I’ve always wanted to visit Italy during the summer holidays. Capri looks amazing! Hopefully, I can visit Italy someday too.
Your post and photos brought back such great memories. We loved Capri. It was so much fun exploring.
Capri has such a dreamlike feel to it – we loved it as well.
I really love the breakfast that you posted it looks so delicious and a lot of food there hehehe.
I also like the chairlift that you posted it looks like a great excitement to try it.
Capri is one of my ultimate bucket list destinations. I have a friend who just honeymooned in Italy and just spent one day on Capri. She said, one day is just not enough time on the island and wished it would have been several days. Thanks for your insight!
I completely agree – we spent two days in Capri but I seemed to keep wishing we could spend some more – that’s how much we loved our visit to this island. Hoping to return someday soon.
This place is soooo scenic. Should be a good destination for a travel photographer like me. I would pick up a boat or kayak and go around.
Capri is indeed a beautiful destination. Thanks for visiting the blog.
Wow, this article sure brought back some nice memories. I visited Capri back in 2017 but I still enjoyed this lovely virtual tour. I think you covered everything one needs to be aware of before visiting. I would love to visit again!
Thanks Daniel. We loved our vacation on this stunning Italian island and look forward to revisiting it someday.
How amazing to visit a perfume factory in Capri! That plus the views and gelato make this the most desirable spot for my next trip!
Experience of visiting Carthusia in Capri was memorable. I can’t wait to return to Capri someday. Thanks for visiting the post.
This is so great! I wanna pack my bags and immediately book a flight to Capri. Very beautiful indeed.
Thanks Anwesha. Glad you enjoyed reading the post.
Look’s incredible! Such a great summer destination.
OMG wow I knew Capri is beautiful but your photos really have made me want to go and visit ASAP!! Thank you for such a detailed list of things to do, I’ll definitely be referring back to this when I plan my trip 🙂
I am glad you enjoyed reading the post. Capri has a way to cast a magic on its visitors 🙂
Haven’t heard about Capri that much but this place looks so much picture perfect. The food seems to be worth trying.
Really very beautiful place. This is my one of the listed destination, I love Italy and want to go there for sure.
Indeed – Capri is lovely. Thanks for visiting the blog.
Capri is surely in my list. I loved the places you have been to eat. The grapes growing fresh right in the restaurant was an amazing site. I am definitely going to have the best time in the boat tour.
We loved the Amalfi Coast and the time we spent in Capri. The beautiful garden of the B&B we stayed in was such a relaxing oasis indeed – grapes, lemons growing in their mini-orchard. Thanks for visiting the blog.
I have been to so many places in Europe but have not yet been to Italy! Will be sure to include Capri when I head there next time! Thanks for sharing Aditi!
We absolutely loved Italy and visiting Capri felt like being on a vacation from our vacation – it was just so relaxing and the island is stunning. I hope you enjoy visiting Amalfi Coast and Capri on your trip to Italy.
Capri looks heavenly. I loved the lemoncello store! Thanks for this great guide. I hope I can visit soon.
Capri is a gem! I am glad you enjoyed reading this post.
Visiting the Blue Grotto has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember! Capri is definitely beautiful and is a must-see destination. Great informative post!
Wow! This looks beyond incredible! We also recently visited Italy and I loved every second of it! Wish we included Capri on our travels though. Your pictures are amazing!! Next trip for sure 🙂
Capri looks so beautiful. I love the contrast between the flowers and greenery and the bright blue skies!! The Gardens of Augustus look so beautiful. You also had some amazing sunsets while you were there. I like the idea of checking out a perfumery, too. Obviously, I’ve not made it to Capri yet, but it’s definitely on my list.
Thank you for this detailed guide!! Capri looks stunning, love all your pictures. Hopefully, I can go there later this year or next year!! Also for the gelato 😉
We loved visiting this island and I am looking forward to a trip back there again. Glad you enjoyed going through this post. Thanks for visiting the blog.
This island looks lovely and relaxing!
Capri is absolutely stunning! I would love to visit sometime soon. The boat trip around the island and visiting the Blue Grotto is definitely on my bucket list
Indeed – Capri is mesmerizing. We loved visiting this beautiful island and can’t wait to return. Thanks for visiting the blog.
It looks absolutely delicious. I would have loved to visit when we were in Naples last year. Definitely would go another time and use your great guide!
Glad you found the guide helpful. Wish you a lovely trip in the Amalfi Coast region. Thanks for visiting the blog.
That B&B sounds magical!!! Thank you for such detailed suggestions and a very compressive guide to Capri!
Wow!! this is such a beautiful place. The blue waters, bright sun, lovely flowers, and stunning views are a treat. adding to my list.
Glad you enjoyed going through the post. Indeed, Capri is breathtaking – can’t wait to return to this Italian island. Thanks for visiting the post.
I know!! Via Krupp is stunning in itself – it’s actually a footpath leading to the Marina below but when we were there it was closed. So I didn’t get a chance to actually walk down that path to the marina. It’s quite a sight though! Thanks for visiting my blog post.
Capri is absolutely gorgeous! Have always wanted to visit and now will definitely add it to my list for when we go to Italy next year. Especially love the idea of the chair lift and then hiking down. Thanks for this awesome detailed guide!
Thank you, Gwen. Indeed the chair lift gives such an awesome glimpse of the beauty of the island and the surrounding area. Glad you enjoyed reading the post and thanks for visiting.
Ah, I’m so sad that I missed Capri when I was in Italy last year. It looks like you had beautiful weather while you were there! I’d love to just soak up the sun all day long.
I hope you get to visit Capri soon. We loved it there and I can’t wait to return. The entire Amalfi Coast region and Capri are stunning. Ischia, another island in the Bay of Naples, is also a great destination. I would love to go to Ischia as well next time around. Thanks for visiting.
Wow sounds like you had a fantastic trip. The colour of that water is amazing! I love the pretty flowers also- what a lovely place.
Indeed the brilliant blue waters and the pink bougainvilleas really add so much to the magic of Capri. Thanks for visiting.
You did so many things while in Capri- unfortunately when I was in Italy I didn’t have time to visit, and instead visited Naples & the Amalfi Coast. I love that you stayed at an Airbnb and had a great time- one of my favorite things about Italy was staying at Airbnbs and getting to know locals!
I am sure your trip to Naples and Amalfi Coast must have been so much fun as well. Next time I visit the region, I would love to explore Amalfi Coast even more. The whole region is stunning. The B&B we stayed at in Capri was amazing hosts. I had booked the B&B via booking.com (not actually through Air B&B). I too prefer staying at the B&Bs as it gives us a chance to interact with the locals even more. Thank you for reading the post and for the message. I hope you get to visit Capri soon!
Capri looks and sounds like a dream! I had no idea the nobility used to vacation there but am not surprised by it at all. I’d definitely want to check out the less touristy side and climb down those 921 steps! And of course a trip to Italy is never complete without gelato 🙂
I hope you enjoy your visit to Capri as much as we did. There are lots of villas and statues still on the island from the Roman era. Walking down the Phoenician steps was truly a highlight. If you like gelato then do stop at Buonocore – their gelato is just amazing. Thanks for visiting the blog and for your message.
Capri looks so beautiful and the food looks delicious! Thanks for this detailed guide, I hope to use it soon!
You’re most welcome. Glad you enjoyed reading the guide. I hope you have a lovely trip to Capri. Thanks for visiting the post.
What a beautiful place to explore Aditi! I can totally see why you loved it!
It sounds like the distances are not too massive so it might even be possible to walk/hike everywhere if you had enough energy (if it isn’t too hot!) All the paths you have shown make it looks like it could be perfect for lots of mini hikes!! 😀
p.s. what flavour gelato did you try? 😀
I fell in love with Capri and I can’t wait to return 😉 Yes, we found it quite walkable in general. We were able to cover a lot of the sights around the island in two days. So I would recommend a 2-3 day stay at Capri to really soak in the magic of this Italian island. A day trip wouldn’t do justice I feel :). Somehow I loved the melon flavo(u)red gelato – I tried several of the gelato flavo(u)rs during our summer visit but I loved the melon one the most. Pistachio was really good too. Glad you liked the post. Thanks for visitng.
Oh, I miss the Amalfi Coast! I used to head there almost every long weekend when I lived in Italy, but since I was on a tight budget I always skipped Capri. Now I’m wishing I’d gone at least once, since the Gardens of Augustus look so pretty (and quite different than the gardens I saw in the other coastal towns). If you’re ever in the area again, try the creamy versions of both the limoncello and the meloncello – they’re my fave!
Amalfi Coast is stunning and I fell in love with Capri. I can’t wait to return to this magical island and I hope you get to visit it too. That’s a great tip regarding the creamy versions of the limoncello and meloncello – will try those next time we visit the area. Thanks for taking the time to read my post and writing the message.
So much detail! Loved this. I went to Capri once around 10 years ago but was still a college-aged backpacker. I feel like your tips and recommendations will be so much more applicable for me the next time I visit!
Thank you so much Brittany. Wow, must have been such an amazing experience backpacking around Italy during college days. I hope you get to visit Capri during your next trip to Italy. Glad you enjoyed reading the post.
Your photos are stunning! I’d love to visit Capri. I could use some Italian sun right about now. Check out my blog and let me know if you have a travel story you’d like to share to get your blog featured!
Thank you so much – glad your liked the photos. Capri is magical. I hope you get to visit Capri during your next Italian vacation. I can’t wait to be back.
Very informative post!
We are planning our trip to Italy and will now certainly include Capri in our itinerary 🙂
Thank you so much. Glad you found the information helpful and I hope you have a wonderful trip.
Useful information you shared with us, because me and my husband planning after covid 19 once finish.