EXPLORING THE ISLAND
Most important things to see in Capri
Buses and taxis transport visitors along the one major carriageway linking Capri, Marina Piccola, the Port, Anacapri, the Grotta Azzurra and the Lighthouse. Those who know Capri, know that even the most isolated corners of the Island are completely safe to visit at any time of the day or night and that the whole island is practically crime-free, thus enabling travelers to visit the island independently and without the aid of a guide.
There is so much to see - from the colorful port of Marina Grande to the glamorous Piazzetta where the world's beautiful people hang out; from the ruins of Emperor Tiberius' villas to the Charterhouse of San Giacomo and the spectacular Via Krupp. You can take the chair lift to the top of Monte Solaro. You can walk along paths leading to incredible rock formations such as the Natural Arch and the Faraglioni. You can marvel at the glimmering blue of the Grotta Azzurra and you can fall in love with Capri just like hundreds and thousands of visitors before you...
To visit in Capri
Piazzetta and historic center (2 minutes walk from Casa di Capri)
Capri's Piazzetta is often described as "the world's most fashionable open air lounge", where the rich and famous can regularly be seen drinking an aperitif, sat at the tables in front of the bars beneath the clock tower. Coming off the Piazzetta, there are a number of twisting lanes and hidden passageways dating back to the medieval era and its is here that the locals do their daily shopping. This is also where some of Capri's best restaurants and traditional, family-run eateries can be found. Visitors dining at Fabrizio Arbace's Pulalli restaurant, located in the clock tower have an unbeatable view of the Piazzetta.
Via Camerelle (4 minutes walk from Casa di Capri)
Heading in the direction of the Piazzetta, visitors soon find themselves on Via Camerelle, the most fashionable street in Capri; home to the bar of the Hotel Quisisana and any number of elegant boutiques selling all the best Italian and International designer fashions. In the evening the local paparazzi swoop in to photograph the celebrities unable to resist the street's appeal
Via Tragara and belvedere (15 minutes walk from Casa di Capri)
From Casa di Capri, heading in the direction of Via Camerelle at the end on the left, guests soon reach Via Tragara. The peaceful Via Tragara is one of the most enchanting roads on the Island; home to a string of sumptuous villas complete with gorgeous gardens. After just over five minutes, at the end of Via Tragara, there is a panoramic terrace overlooking the Faraglioni and the Bay of Marina Piccola. In the evenings, soft lights illuminate the walkway, whilst the moon and stars do the rest. From the Tragara viewing point there is a path leading down to the foot of the Faraglioniand the start of the Pizzolungo coastal walk.
Augustus Gardens and viewing point (5 minutes walk from Casa di Capri)
Positioned directly above Marina Piccola and the Via Krupp, and opposite the Faraglioni, the Gardens are approximately 5 minutes walk from the Casa di Capri. During the day and especially in the summer months the gardens can be quite crowded, and the best time to visit them is without doubt at sunset, when the day trippers have left the Island, and the beauty of the gardens and the surrounding scenery can be enjoyed to the full.
Charterhouse of San Giacomo (5 minutes walk from Casa di Capri)
The Charterhouse of San Giacomo, with its cloisters dating back to the 14th and 16th century, houses a museum containing artworks by the German painter Diefenbach, who lived for many years on the island of Capri.
Punta Cannone viewpoint (10 minutes walk from Casa di Capri)
Punta Canone (canon point) got its name from the old canon once used to protect the Island. Located on a cliff, directly above the sea and approximately 15 minutes from the Piazzetta, this is one of CapriÂ’s most beautiful viewpoints, offering a spectacular view of the Gardens of Augustus, Marina Piccola and the Faraglioni. Despite this, the Punta Canone viewing terrace is rarely crowded and the walk to reach it is particularly suited to those is search of a little peace and tranquility.
Villa Jovis (45 minutes walk from Casa di Capri)
On the summit of Tiberio, which can only be reached on foot (or in exceptional circumstances using the electric carts normally employed to transport luggage), lie the beautiful and remarkably well conserved ruins of Villa Jovis. Villa Jovis was the residence of the Roman Emperor Tiberius, successor of Augustus. From these rooms Tiberius ruled the Roman empire, communicating with the mainland by way of signals from the lighthouse, the ruins of which are still clearly visible. From the top of a 300 meter high precipice, directly above the sea, an unforgettable view, encompassing Ischia, Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi, and the Li Galli can be seen. According to the accounts of historians of the era, many of which were not supporters of Tiberius, it was from this precipice that the emperor delighted in throwing the occasional slave into the sea below. The walk to Villa Jovis is a particularly scenic one and traverses parts of Capri which have a rural charm.
Things to see in Anacapri
Anacapri is reachble in 15 minutes from Casa di Capri Exclusive Guest House.
From the Piazzetta of Capri, the other important town on the island, Anacapri, is only 15 minutes taxi or bus ride away. In the high season, the journey by bus (price of tickets Euro 1.80 per person) can entail waiting in long queues before boarding.
Making the trip by taxi (cost of journey approximately Euro 20) is a valid alternative.
A piece of advice: those who decide to take the bus to Anacapri and are eager to experience some of the most spectacular views, should try to sit on the right hand side of the bus!
Passengers should get off at Piazza Vittoria, usually announced by the driver with a simple "Anacapri!".
Villa San Michele - Axel Munthe (5 minutes walk from Piazza Vittoria in Anacapri)
Built almost directly above the sea, opposite the bays of Naples and Salerno, the villa was the residence of the celebrated Swedish writer and physician, Axel Munthe, author of "The History of San Michele". Set in beautiful gardens, the house still contains many of the antiquities collected by its first owner. In the summer, the gardens provide an enchanting venue for a series of extremely well attended classical music concerts (performed as the sun sets). Entry to the villa costs approximately 8 Euro. There are a number of small shops selling souvenirs and traditional craft items along the pretty little lane leading to the Villa.
Church of San Michele (5 minutes walk from Piazza Vittoria in Anacapri)
The Church of San Michele is situated in the historic center of Anacapri. This small church is famous for its magnificent floor in majolica dating back to the 1700's, work of the master of majolica Leonardo Chiaiese, and depicting the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the earthly paradise. Visitors are asked to make a small donation.
The Blue Grotto (by sea or by land by bus or taxi 15 minutes from the center of Anacapri)
The Grotta Azzurra is one of the natural wonders of Capri that no visitor to the island will want to miss. Named after the intense blue of the light which penetrates through an underwater fissure and fills the sea cave with beautiful reflections, the Grotta Azzurra or Blue Grotto is, in fact, a major tourist attraction. Close to the entrance of the cave, there are a number of restaurants and a bathing establishment. For further information, go to the Casa di Capri Exclusive Guest House page - Tour of the Island.
Monte Solaro Chairlift (in Piazza Vittoria in Anacapri)
Using the chairlift to Monte Solaro visitors can comfortably reach the highest point of the island, traveling above the vineyards and gardens of Anacapri. From the summit of Monte Solaro the view is simply breathtaking; encompassing the whole of the island and, in the distance, the islands of Ischia and Procida and the bays of Naples and Salerno, the Amalfi Coast and the islands of Galli. Chairlift tickets cost approximately 10 Euro.