Fun things to do in Capri

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It only takes one hour or a little bit more to circle the island.

In the way you visit the caves, the special rock formations, and all the beauties at sea level.

Don’t miss, it’s easy to deal locally in the harbor and not expensive, but, if the caves are your goal do check the tide before leaving, or you may have a bad surprise.

Our group of 8 had a spectacular day tour of beautiful Capri & Amalfi Coast. Paolo our guide was not only incredibly well-informed, but was a delightful companion. Thanks, Paolo, and Visit Capri for really helping us to spend two lovely days in Capri and on the Amalfi Coast!!!!!!

Naples is a beautiful city; I spend half the year there. You should definitely stay in other places besides Capri. I would say at least one night in Naples and maybe one or two nights in Sorrento, Amalfi, Ravello, or even Positano. They are quaint, unique and characteristic, besides being great vacation spots.

Downtown Naples you can go to Underground Naples, take a walking tour from the main square (Piazza del Plebiscito), walk up Via Roma/a.k.a. Via Toledo (that's where you find many shops and the Galleria Umberto). Continue up from there towards Piazza Dante and go all the way to Piazza del Gesu'. Piazza del Gesu' is where you find Spaccanapoli (the street that from an aerial view splits the city in half...it goes across both ways) and Via San Gregorio Armeno (where there are the artisan shops that make nativity scenes and the figurines that go in them. For the vacation spots like Sorrento, Amalfi, and Ravello you could try finding limoncello tasting tours or just check out the shops and their ceramic creations (also pretty popular), then there's the beaches and the main squares with renowned churches. If you want more tips and information, let me know. Right now this is all that comes to mind.

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The Certosa di San Giacomo was a Carthusian monastery dedicated to St. James. Founded in the 14th century by Count Giacomo Arcucci, personal advisor to Queen Joanna I of Anjou, the original structures were largely rebuilt after a sacking by Saracen pirates in the 16th century and noted to be prime examples of the Caprese style of architecture. The monastery became in turn a prison, military barracks and hospital, and the monks' quarters are now used as classrooms. The church has a lovely, 14th-century fresco above the entrance of Virgin and Child with St. Bruno and Queen Johanna on one side, and St. James and Count Arcucci on the other. Other highlights include frescoes on the ceiling of the church, 2 cloisters and a small museum containing early 20th century paintings by German artist K. W. Diefenbach.

Not to be missed are the gardens directly behind the Certosa that overlook the sea - terrific panoramas and unlikely to be as crowded as the nearby Gardens of Augustus. Combine a wander there with your visit to the Cerotsa as they're reached by the same route. Open Tuesday - Sunday 9:00 AM - 2:00PM. Entrance is free.

My apologies; we somehow managed not to get a single decent shot of the buildings so see the website!

From Piazza Vittoria, proceeding along the pedestrian road to the left of the Memorial statue, one finds the Casa Rossa.
The Casa Rossa, painted in Pompeian Red features a number of architectural styles, with mullioned and laced windows, and an entrance gate through which one can tantalizingly glimpse the square tower and porticoed courtyard. The house belonged to the American John cay H-MacKowen, who arrived in Italy after the American civil war and resided on the island until 1899. He followed the example of Axel Munthe: collecting numerous antique artefacts he found on the Island of Capri and displaying them in his house.
Within the walls of the Casa Rossa there is a permanent exhibition entitled "The painted island".
This unique collection offers visitors a number of images of the customs and traditions of every day eighteenth and nineteenth century Capri. The thirty two canvases bear the signatures of Italian and International masters such as Barret, De Montalant, Carabain, Hay, Casciaro, Vianelli, Carelli, Giordano, Federico, Brancaccio, Corrodi, Lovatti, Bentos. This invaluable collection was purchased by the council of Anacapri from Spiridione and Savo Raskovich, two enthusiasts of the Isola Azzurra who had spent years collecting works with Capri as the main subject. The owners of the paintings preferred to sell the entire collection to the Council of Anacapri rather than divide it and sell the paintings singularly to private buyers. As a consequence, the island is the proud owner a marvelous art museum.

This 17th century church preserves Roman tiling in its northern altar, beside which is a reliquary containing bits of blessed bone said to have helped save Capri's citizens from a terrible plague in the 19th century. It's not always open so you really need to check times.
It's situated adjacent to the Piazza Umberto II in Capri.

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Monte Solaro was my goal, having climbed part of the way up on the first morning; but how to get Rosemarie on the chairlift that was sure to frighten the life out of her? So, I didn't mention it till late in the day and suggested we do this. Since she couldn't actually see the chairs from where we were (clever Ian), she agreed and I bought the tickets, thus committing her to the ride.
I quickly entered the boarding area and got on a chair while poor Rosemarie was wide eyed and unsure. The attendants hustled her onto the next chair and she was away, wondering how on earth she had gotten there.
The slowness of the lift did nothing to assuage her fears but she made it and the views up there are so rewarding why wouldn't you go.
The route traverses people's backyards and virgin bush and it makes for a pleasant trip.
At 1932 feet it's not the world's highest mountain but the views belie that, especially when you can look straight down on the sea at one spot.
Further over, there are splendid vistas over the Faraglioni and the middle of the island.
One of the things you should do while you're on Capri.

The Certosa di San Giacomo was a Carthusian monastery dedicated to St. James. Founded between 1363-71 by Count Giacomo Arcucci, personal advisor to Queen Joanna I of Anjou, the original structures were largely rebuilt after being sacked by the Saracens in the 16th century and have been cited as prime examples of the Caprese style of architecture.
During its useful life, the monastery was at once a prison, military barracks then a hospital, and the monks' quarters are now used as classrooms.
The church has a lovely, 14th-century fresco above the entrance of Virgin and Child with St. Bruno and Queen Johanna on one side, and St. James and Count Arcucci on the other. Other highlights include frescoes on the ceiling of the church, cloisters and a small museum containing early 20th century paintings by German artist K. W. Diefenbach.
Not to be missed are the gardens directly behind the Certosa that overlook the sea - terrific panoramas and unlikely to be as crowded as the nearby Gardens of Augustus sited just above you.