Capri
Quick Facts
Language: ItalianCurrency: Euro
Area Codes: 081
Other Cities in this Region
Capri has enchanted visitors for millennia. In the 4th Century BC, the Phoenicians settled Capri, followed soon after by the Greeks and the Romans. The Roman Emperor Tiberius, who ruled from 27-37, built twelve villas scattered all around the island, then visited a different one each night to indulge his carnal pleasures. In the early 1800s, the British started developing Capri, but the French momentarily took the island away. The influence from Roman times can still be seen in the form of ruins scattered all over the island. Today, it's tourists who scatter all over the island, filling the town during summer months.
Capri has also been an inspiration for numerous authors. English author Noel Coward was enchanted here, as was Graham Greene. Norman Douglas lived in Capri around the turn of the 20th Century. His most famous novel, Summer Wind, was set here.
Capri is off of Italy's west coast, three miles west of Sorrento, near Amalfi and Salerno. The nearest big city is Naples, a little over an hour away by boat. While here, don't miss the Blue Grotto, Capri's most famous tourist attraction. Do some people-watching in Piazza Umberto I, in the heart of Capri. Enjoy the local cuisine and the vivacious nightlife. Whatever you choose, you will be surrounded by panoramic views and enveloped by cool sea breezes.
Docking & Local Transportation
Cruise ships dock at Marina Grande, in Capri. There is access to both Capri and nearby Anacapri from the port.
To get to the town of Capri, you can take the funicular from Marina Grande. Buses (081/837-0420) travel frequently between Capri and Anacapri. Hydrofoils and ferries (081/551-3882) travel between Capri and Naples. There are taxi stands at the bus stop in Capri (081/837-0543) or at Piazza Vittoria in Anacapri (081/837-1175).
Local Interests
The tourist board (Piazza Umberto I 19, 081/837-0686) is an excellent resource in Capri, especially if you arrive during the busy summer months. You can get maps and brochures here, along with advice on planning your itinerary.
Capri's main attraction is the Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto). Once you visit it, you will know why. The ancient residents of Capri knew of the grotto, but it disappeared from the maps until the early 1800s, when a traveler accidentally stumbled upon it. The grotto is a natural phenomenon. The refraction of the sun's rays through the water bathes the grotto in brilliant blue light. To get there, you will need to take a boat to the entrance of the grotto, then transfer to another smaller rowboat to actually get inside.
A motorboat tour of the entire island is a great way to visit all of Capri's sites on a limited time budget. You will see the Bagni di Tiberio, a beach just steps away from the ruins of an old Tiberian villa. The tour also touches upon the ruins of the Palazzo al Mare and the lesser visited Green Grotto. Lastly, the tour will take you across the rocks of Faraglioni. The stunning jagged rocks make for a great photograph.
In the city of Capri, start out at Piazza Umberto I, the town's central meeting place. From there, stroll down Via Vittorio Emanuele to the Giardini di Augusto, a picturesque park with panoramic views. In the other direction from the Piazza, visit the ruins of Villa Jovis, an estate created by Tiberius in the 1st century.
Activities
Beaches
The beaches of Capri aren't particularly beautiful. Because the island is so mountainous, most stretches of sand aren't very long. However, there are some spots worth visiting if you really need to work on your tan. Bagni Nettuno (Via Grotta Azzurra 46, 081/837-1362) charges admission for use of a cabana, deck chairs, and towels. The above-mentioned Bagni di Tiberio can only be reached by boat. On the island's south side is Marina Piccola, a small beach that usually is fairly crowded.
Shopping
Via Camerelle is Capri's main shopping street, with lots of small boutiques lining the road. For perfume lovers, a visit to Carthusia-Profumi di Capri (Via Camerelle 10, 081/837-0368) is a must. The perfumes made here come from flowers and herbs found on the island itself. Limoncello di Capri has two locations, one in Capri (79 Via Roma, 081/837-5561) and the other in Anacapri (27 Via Capodimonte, 081/837-2927). This is the best place to buy Limoncello, a popular local drink that tastes like lemonade, but with a kick.
If you need a good pair of sandals, visit Canfora (Via Camerelle 3, 081/837-0487). Every pair of sandals in the store is handmade, and if they don't have what you're looking for, they will custom design a pair just for you. For an even more unique creation, go to La Perla Gioielli (Piazza Umberto I 21, 081/837-0641). The eight jewelers who work here will custom design gold and diamonds into a beautiful and unique keepsake. Manrico Cashmere (Via Camerelle 65, 081/837-7164) carries a full line of elegant cashmere sweaters, blouses, vests and more, for both men and women.
Dining & Nightlife
La Capannina (Via Le Botteghe 12-14, 081/837-0732) is a beautifully decorated, intimate Italian restaurant that is always full. The fish soup is outstanding, as is anything on the menu that finishes with the word Capannina. Da Paolino (Via Palazzo a Mare 11, 081/837-6102) is a little pricey, but the food is so good that you won't mind. The ravioli is particularly flavorful, as is the rigatoni. La Cisterna (Via Madre Serafina 5, 081/837-5620) serves up succulent seafood and inexpensive pizza. Casanova (Via Le Botteghe 46, 081/837-7642) offers a wide selection of pastas and pizzas, as does Faraglioni (Via Camarelle 75, 081/837-0320).
Capri has a vibrant nightlife, with bars and nightclubs packed to the gills during the busy summer season. For a night of high energy dancing, you can't do better than Number Two (Via Camerelle 1, 081/837-7078). But if you would rather take the evening at a slower pace, enjoy some people watching at Bar Tiberio (Piazza Umberto I 8, 081/837-0268).