Capri Things to Do

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You can take one of the public footpaths which let you reach beautiful sights which the large majority of tourists will only see from their boat trips around the island. Some of these paths are very steep and you need to walk up and down long stairs sometimes.

Nearly the entire perimeter of the island is accessible for hiking. This is a great way to explore the natural beauty of the island. Bring pair of comfortable shoes and water bottles as you may be a long distance from the nearest road or bus stop.

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There are several caves in the island, but Grotto Esmeralda is the top attraction in the harbor, everybody "forgetting" to tell you that you can only enter with good sea and low tide. So you may pay your trip, start the ride, stop at the entrance and discover that, unfortunately, you arrived exactly when it will be impossible to enter.

It happened to us but, I don't remember how, I knew before leaving that it would happen. Anyway, we wanted to do the circuit, and had no more opportunities, so… we accepted it. But you'd better be prepared...

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A must for any visitor not completely terrified of heights, the summit of Mt. Solaro - at 1,932 ft, the island's highest point - can be easily reached by chairlift from Anacapri. From the station near the piazza, the lift of single-person chairs climbs slowly and steadily up the mountainside and over lush gardens, dwellings and a few ruins. At the top, you're rewarded with a breathtaking, 360-degree panorama that includes the gulfs of Naples and Salerno, the Sorrentine Peninsula, Mt. Vesuvius and the towns of Capri and Anacapri. The summit also has the remains of an early 19th century fort (Fortino di Bruto) that was built - during a war between the British and French - on top of an ancient, medieval structure. Restrooms and a small cafe for ordering gelato, expresso or other beverages to enjoy along with the view make it easy to gaze away some serious time up here.

It was hazy the day we were there so our pictures were not as vivid as we'd wished but still well worth the price of the ticket. The top of the mount can also be reached on foot, by paths that connect to both Capri and Anacapri - definitely my preference if we'd had more time. Have good shoes and an extra hour or two? Take the chairlift up and hike down.

Notes about the chairlift: It is somewhat antiquated, the seats are small and there's just one little safety bar resting in front of you. As they only hold one person, it's not a good choice for children too small/young to ride by themselves, and I don't believe you're allowed to have them sit on your lap. The lift runs continuously (no stops) so they have to hurry you in and out of your chair at both ends of the line - don't be annoyed if they have to handle you a bit to get you safely out of the way. Although ascent/descent is steep, you're won't be as high off the ground as you might expect - Jerry isn't crazy about heights and didn't have any problem with this.

Adults: 1 way: € 7,50 - 2 ways: € 10,00
Children (up to 8 years): Free
March-October from 9.30 a.m.to sunset.
November – February from 10.30 a.m.to 3.00 p.m.

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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!

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With a generally sunny weather, and the steep coast, the island is a paradise for landscape photo.

The best spots are signed, and you just have to follow the lines and wait your turn. But you must have skills to avoid unwanted heads in your photos, or to find the exclusive angles.

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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.

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Mount Solaro is the highest point of the island, and obviously the widest sightseeing point.

The transport up and down by the funicular is interesting, however, unfortunately, you are always facing some of the most discreet areas of the island. But the summit compensates you.

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.