Reasons to Put Capri, Italy, on Your Bucket List

For a slice of luxury and beautiful outdoor adventures, Capri is the place to go
For a slice of luxury and beautiful outdoor adventures, Capri is the place to go | © Martyna Bober / Unsplash

A jewel of southern Italy, the island of Capri is famous for many reasons. It has jaw-dropping natural beauty, delicious cuisine and world-class shopping. It’s also a place to see and be seen – there’s a reason why so many celebrities anchor their yachts in Marina Grande. Here is why you should put Capri on your bucket list.

1. Capri in a day

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Experience the ultimate in convenience and luxury with this “Discovering Capri in one day” tour. Upon arrival at the port of Capri, you’ll be greeted by our professional staff who will ensure your day is organized to perfection, making every moment unique and unforgettable. Avoid the hassle of public transportation as we whisk you away to the island’s most important and breathtaking sights. From the iconic Faraglioni rocks to the panoramic views from Anacapri, our tour is designed to maximize your time and enhance your Capri experience. Explore the highlights of this enchanting island with ease and comfort, knowing that every detail has been carefully planned for your enjoyment.

2. Boat ride, swimming and Limoncello

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Experience the beauty of Capri from a unique perspective on a relaxing boat ride around the island. Glide aboard a traditional Sorrentine boat and marvel at iconic landmarks such as the Faraglioni rocks, the Punta Carena lighthouse, and the enchanting White Grotto and Green Grotto. Take a refreshing dip in the cobalt blue waters and snorkel along the coastline to discover the underwater world. Afterward, unwind with a happy hour drink on board and indulge in a tasting of refreshing limoncello before heading back to shore. This daytime excursion offers a perfect blend of sightseeing, relaxation, and local flavors, ensuring an unforgettable experience exploring the stunning coastline of Capri.

3. Capri Walking Tour

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Discover the highlights of Capri hassle-free with a guided tour that includes convenient minibus transportation between the island’s towns. Begin in Anacapri, where you’ll explore artisan workshops and traditional houses, and have free time to shop or opt for a chairlift ride to Mt. Solaro for panoramic views. Then, travel swiftly to Capri town to visit the Gardens of Augustus for stunning views of the Faraglioni sea stacks, the lively Piazzetta, and other renowned landmarks. Enjoy easy logistics with transportation and lunch included, allowing you to maximize your time exploring both towns. Capture memorable photos and gain insights into Capri’s rich history and culture with informative commentary from your guide throughout the tour.

4. Watch the world go by in the Piazzetta

Architectural Landmark

La Piazzetta Capri Italy
© Sabine Lubenow / Alamy Stock Photo

This world-famous public square’s official name is Piazza Umberto 1. In the Caprese dialect, it’s called a chiazza, but it’s best known as the Piazzetta. Here, the clock tower chimes every 15 minutes, while the various cafés are full around the clock, from early-morning cappuccino drinkers to late-night, after-dinner digestivo sippers. The busiest time is before dinner when the well-dressed stop for a drink.

5. Marvel at its natural beauty from the water

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© Letizia Agosta / Unsplash

On a hot summer day, beaches in Capri are packed, so the best way to experience the refreshing water without the hordes of people is on a boat. Hire a skipper and spend a few hours swimming in rocky coves and emerald-green grottos. If you are short on time, there are also larger crafts that give one-hour tours around the island.

As undeniably gorgeous as this gem-like island is, it’s only a snippet of what this part of Italy has to offer. For a trip that will truly sweep you off your feet, join our 10-day Complete Southern Italy Tour, stuffed with authentic Italian experiences.

6. Sunbathe in one of the exclusive beach clubs

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Beach Huts And Sunloungers On Marina Piccola
© Design Pics Inc / Alamy Stock Photo

Going to the beach is different in Capri. Instead of a long, empty stretch of sand where you can plonk your towel anywhere, this island is rather more organised. Clusters of loungers and umbrellas sit in picture-perfect rows on the few narrow beach coves. These private beach clubs have bookable places to lounge, changing facilities and usually a restaurant. If you’re on a budget, head to Marina Piccola; there are three small beach areas where you can squeeze onto patches of pebbles with local residents for free.

7. Explore the extraordinary Blue Grotto

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The Blue Grotto has been bewitching visitors since the time of the Roman emperor Tiberius, who loved it so much that he commissioned statues to decorate it. The grotto’s extraordinary optical effect is created by the sunlight bouncing on the cave walls, producing electric-blue water that seems to glow. While on this tour, you’ll transfer into a small rowboat at the entrance, and depending on weather conditions, you may have to lie flat on the boat to fit into the cave.

8. Spot the Faraglioni

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Italy, Capri, view of the Faraglioni
© benny48 / Alamy Stock Photo

This massive rock formation, comprising three separate limestone stacks, is one of the first things you see on your way to Capri. It’s so large that on a clear day, you can even spot the Faraglioni from the Amalfi Coast towns of Positano and Praiano. The scenic overlook at the end of via Tragara and the flower-filled Gardens of Augustus provide the best views. You can swim next to them at the Da Luigi ai Faraglioni beach club and sail through them on a private boat tour.

9. Enjoy a view across the island from Anacapri

Architectural Landmark

Stunning view over Capri, from Anacapri
© federikk / Alamy Stock Photo

There are two separate towns on the island of Capri. Most visitors only visit Capri town, with its well-known attractions such as the Piazzetta, Marina Piccola and the famous shopping streets. However, there is another world a short bus or taxi ride away on the other side of the island. Anacapri is much more spread out and residential, and it’s where you can take the chair lift to the top of Monte Solaro.

10. Try an authentic Caprese salad

Restaurant, Wine Bar, Italian, Mediterranean, Wine, Beer, Seafood

With vine-ripened tomatoes, milky mozzarella, aromatic basil leaves and a drizzle of sharply flavoured olive oil, the Caprese salad is a must-try dish when you’re visiting Capri. You will find it on every menu. However, if you are in a hurry, stop by an alimentari (a small grocery shop) and order a panino Caprese to takeaway.

11. Tuck into a wood-fired pizza

Pizzeria, Italian

While Naples, the birthplace of pizza, is less than an hour’s boat ride away from Capri, you don’t have to leave the island to try this delicious culinary creation. Capri is home to many dome-shaped wood-fired ovens and trained pizzaiolos, so take a break from seafood and spend an evening discovering how a simple margarita pizza and a cold draft beer can be a gourmet experience.

12. Indulge in a slice of Torta Caprese

Dessert Shop, Dessert

Tiled Capri Cakes sign on cafe
© Bailey-Cooper Photography / Alamy Stock Photo

The island’s most famous dessert is a dense flourless chocolate cake, made with toasted ground almonds, dark chocolate, sugar and eggs. Its origins are murky, with tales of cooks startled by a fearsome crime boss or forgetful sisters as the reason behind the missing flour. The result is a rich confection that happens to be gluten-free.

13. Spot celebrities in Marina Piccola

Architectural Landmark

Marina Grande, general view, Capri, Italy
© Peter Forsberg / Alamy Stock Photo

Every summer, the docks in the exclusive private port in Marina Grande fill up. On the other side of the island, Marina Piccola is dotted with some of the world’s most expensive yachts. Capri has been a star-studded destination since the heady La Dolce Vita days of the late 1950s when celebrities such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren put the island on the jet-set map. Today, you may spot Beyoncé’s yacht, spy the designer Valentino having his morning cappuccino or see Lenny Kravitz do a quick set at a nightclub.

14. Hike one of the awe-inspiring coastal trails

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Capri Island: Pizzolungo Walk View: Naples Bay
© Aivar Mikko / Alamy Stock Photo

Capri has many wild hiking trails and walking paths. The Pizzolungo, which comprises a series of steps, wooded trail and paved path, will take you from the Arco Naturale (Natural Arch) through an ancient forest grotto, past the modern architectural marvel of the Casa Malaparte to an exceptional lookout point over the Faraglioni. Meanwhile, the Path of the Little Forts in Anacapri is a great walk to take for a beautiful sunset panorama of the lighthouse. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, climb the 921 Phoenician stone steps that link Anacapri to Marina Grande.

15. Party in Italy's most vibrant nightclubs

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Taverna Anema e core, ornate vintage buildings capri italy island of capri isle of capri
© Sunshine / Alamy Stock Photo

Capri is a late-night town. It is perfectly normal to sit down to dinner after 10pm, and nightclubs don’t even open until after midnight. The nightlife hotspots are mainly concentrated around Piazzetta and the Quisisana. Start the evening with cocktails at Jacky Bar, before swinging by Taverna Anema e Core (known for its traditional Neapolitan tunes). Top tip: take a nap in the middle of the day, so you can make it through ’til dawn.

After exploring the island, you’ll need somewhere to lay your head – try the best hotels or villas in the area, now bookable via Culture Trip. If you’re hoping to continue your visit, head to Naples where there’s a range of things to do, including galleries and architectural features that are a must-see. The city really is a destination worth visiting – discover why, if not only for the bars that call Naples home.

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