Limestone island in the Bay of Naples, known for the Faraglioni sea stacks and the Blue Grotto
Capri rises sheer from the sea at the southern edge of the Bay of Naples, a compact island of limestone cliffs, citrus gardens and whitewashed lanes. Ferries arrive at Marina Grande, where a funicular climbs to Capri town and its tiny Piazzetta, the island's famous meeting point. Higher up, Anacapri spreads across the slopes of Monte Solaro, the island's highest point at 589 metres.
The sea is the star. Boat trips circle the coast past grottoes and arches to the Faraglioni, three great rock stacks off the south-east shore, and to the Blue Grotto, where a rowing boat slips through a low opening into a cave filled with intense blue light. Between swims and boat rides, there are Roman ruins, clifftop walks and views across to the Amalfi Coast and Vesuvius.
Capri has attracted the powerful since antiquity. The emperor Tiberius moved here permanently in AD 27 and ruled the Roman Empire from the island until his death in AD 37; according to Tacitus he built twelve villas, and the ruins of Villa Jovis on the eastern headland are the best known. The Romans also used the Blue Grotto as a nymphaeum, a decorated sea grotto, and statues recovered from it are displayed at the Casa Rossa in Anacapri.
For centuries local sailors avoided the cave because of stories about spirits. In 1826 the German writer August Kopisch and painter Ernst Fries were taken inside by a local fisherman, and Kopisch's account helped spread the island's fame across Europe. Writers, artists and later film stars followed, turning Capri into one of the Mediterranean's most celebrated island resorts.
Capri's two towns, Capri and Anacapri, have long kept separate identities, and islanders still distinguish between them. Behind the boutiques, everyday life follows the ferry timetable and the seasons: the island is busy with day visitors from spring to autumn and quiet in winter, when many shops and hotels close. Local traditions include patron saint festivals, lemon cultivation and small-scale fishing from Marina Grande and Marina Piccola.
A boat tour around the island is the best introduction, passing sea caves, cliffs and the Faraglioni; transfer-only boats to the Blue Grotto are an option if that is your priority. On land, ride the funicular to the Piazzetta, wander the lanes towards the Gardens of Augustus viewpoints, or hike out to Villa Jovis for sweeping views of the Bay of Naples.
In Anacapri, quieter streets and churches contrast with the bustle of Capri town, and the climb to Monte Solaro rewards you with views over the whole island. Swimming from rocky beach clubs and lingering over a lemon granita complete a classic day.
May, June, September and early October combine warm seas with slightly fewer day-trippers than July and August, when the island is at its busiest. The Blue Grotto depends on calm seas and can close at short notice in rough weather or strong northerly winds; it is often closed for long periods in winter. Arriving on an early ferry or staying overnight lets you enjoy the island when the day crowds have gone.
Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.
General guidance from our specialists, not official information.
Marina Grande has ferry and hydrofoil terminals, cafes and boat-tour offices, and the funicular links it to Capri town. Buses connect Capri, Anacapri and the road down to the Blue Grotto. Regular ferries run to Naples and Sorrento, and seasonal boats link the island with Positano and Amalfi on the Amalfi Coast.
Italy · 2 nights4★ HotelItaly · 7 nights4★ HotelItaly · 7 nights4★ HotelThis guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 27 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image. The ambient recording’s author and licence are shown in the sound player.
