🇮🇹Italy · Places to discover
What to see in Capri?
25 places selected by the community - landmarks, nature, hidden restaurants and activities.
Capri isn't a frozen postcard island: it's a limestone crag planted in the Gulf of Naples, inhabited since Roman times, that's managed to stay a real place despite decades of heavy tourism. The Piazzetta, that tiny paved square at the heart of Anacapri, still functions as a village-provided you arrive early, before the ferries disgorge their passengers.
The best time is May or September, when the light is sharp and crowds manageable. Two days will let you explore the island properly, hiring a scooter rather than paying inflated taxi fares. Skip the Grotta Azzurra in high season: the boat queue often runs two hours for thirty seconds inside.
Landmarks & heritage
8 places
1Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Landmark
Via Krupp
A serpentine path carved into the cliff by industrialist Friedrich Alfred Krupp in 1902, connecting the Giardini di Augusto to Marina Piccola. A masterpiece of landscape engineering occasionally closed due to rockfalls.
2Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Landmark
Certosa di San Giacomo
Charterhouse founded in 1371, one of the island's best-preserved medieval monuments. Its Gothic cloisters and hanging gardens above the sea deserve far more than a fleeting glance.
3Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0Landmark
Piazzetta di Capri (Piazza Umberto I)
The island's living room – admittedly touristy but essential for understanding Capri's soul. Take your coffee standing at the bar counter rather than at a table – same coffee, a third of the price.
4Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Landmark
Villa San Michele di Axel Munthe
The residence of Swedish physician and author Axel Munthe, built atop the ruins of a Roman imperial villa in Anacapri. The gardens command sweeping views across the Gulf of Naples and the atmosphere is remarkably serene.
5Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Landmark
Villa Jovis
Emperor Tiberius's principal residence at the summit of Monte Tiberio, at 334m altitude. Impressive ruins with a 360° panoramic view over the Gulf of Naples, Ischia and the Amalfi Coast.
- 6
Landmark
Landmark
Grotta di Matermania – Capri
Sacred natural cave high above Capri, dedicated to Cybele by the Romans. Accessible on foot from Anacapri, away from the town centre crowds, surrounded by dense, mysterious vegetation.
- 7
Landmark
Landmark
Damecuta Watchtower
Roman imperial villa and medieval watchtower overlooking the north-west coast of Anacapri, set within a little-visited archaeological park. Clear views of Ischia and the Gulf of Naples in near-absolute silence.
- 8
Landmark
Landmark
Grotta di Matermania
A large natural cave used by the Romans as a nymphaeum, nestled in the eastern cliff of the island. Accessible via a path from the Arco Naturale, it is rarely visited despite its genuine archaeological interest.
Religious sites
1 place
9Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Religious site
Chiesa di Santo Stefano
Baroque cathedral dominating Piazzetta, built in the 17th century on the foundations of a Benedictine monastery. Polychrome majolica floor and a contemplative atmosphere contrasting with the bustle of the square.
Nature
4 places
10Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0Nature
Arco Naturale
Natural limestone arch 18 metres high, sculpted by marine erosion, accessible on foot from central Capri. One of the island's most spectacular geological sites, often overlooked by tour groups.
11Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0Nature
Grotta Azzurra
The famous sea cave whose surreal blue light comes from an underwater opening that filters sunlight. Best visited early in the morning to avoid queues and experience the magic of the place.
12Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0Nature
Faro di Punta Carena
Italy's second-largest lighthouse, at the south-western tip of Anacapri. The flat rocks surrounding it are the locals' preferred swimming spot, away from crowded paid beaches.
13Wikipedia · CC BY-SANature
The Faraglioni
Three limestone rocks rising from the sea off the south-east coast of the island, true symbols of Capri. From a kayak or rental boat, you can paddle through the natural arch of the central rock.
Parks & gardens
1 place
14Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Park
Giardini di Augusto
Terraced gardens founded by Augustus overlooking the sea, with direct views of the Faraglioni and the Via Krupp. Modest entrance fee, serene atmosphere, abundant Mediterranean flowers.
Viewpoints
4 places
15Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Viewpoint
Belvedere di Migliera
Panoramic terrace at the end of a path from Anacapri overlooking the south-west coast and the Punta Carena lighthouse. Outstanding sunset over the Tyrrhenian Sea, in absolute calm.
16Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Viewpoint
Monte Solaro
Capri's highest peak at 589m, accessible by chairlift from Anacapri. The view encompasses the entire Amalfi coast, Mount Vesuvius, the Pontine Islands and on clear days as far as Sicily.
17Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Viewpoint
Tragara Viewpoint
Panoramic terrace at the end of Via Tragara offering the iconic view of the Faraglioni. Less crowded than the Piazzetta, this is the ideal spot to watch the sunset over these emblematic rocks.
- 18
Viewpoint
Viewpoint
Cannone Viewpoint
Discreet viewpoint accessible on foot from the Giardini di Augusto, offering a steep view over the Faraglioni and the southern coast. Almost unknown to tourists, yet one of the island's finest viewing points.
Activities
5 places
19Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0Activity
Sentiero dei Fortini
Coastal walk of 6km linking Punta Carena to Grotta Azzurra along the wild western coast of Anacapri. Passes by three Napoleonic forts with breathtaking sea views, far from the crowds.
- 20
Activity
Activity
Limoncello Sfusato Caprese at Limoncello di Capri
Artisanal limoncello producer using exclusively sfusato caprese, a PDO lemon with thick fragrant skin cultivated on the island. Tasting and direct sales in their shop-laboratory on Via Roma.
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Activity
Activity
Grotta Bianca and Grotta Meravigliosa
Interior caves of Anacapri with spectacular limestone formations, less known than Grotta Azzurra. A brief guided tour through the striking limestone depths of the island.
- 22
Activity
Activity
Sentiero del Passetiello
Ancient mule track connecting Capri to Anacapri before the road was built, carved into living rock. A 45-minute hike with vertiginous views over both sides of the island – almost entirely deserted.
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Activity
Activity
Motorboat Rental at Marina Grande
Hire a small motorboat from Marina Grande to explore coastal caves, inaccessible coves, and pass beneath the Faraglioni arch independently. The most liberating way to discover the island.
Beaches
2 places
24Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0Beach
Marina Piccola
The most authentic marina on the island, sheltered beneath the Faraglioni. A few historic bathing establishments like La Canzone del Mare coexist with freely accessible rock coves.
25Wikimedia CommonsBeach
Bagni di Tiberio
First-century Roman bathing site directly on the sea, accessible by boat from Marina Grande. Secluded pebble beach with Roman ruins in the water – swimming between history and the Mediterranean.
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