Visit the island of Capri: what to do and to see

The island of Capri in the Gulf of Napoli, with its grottoes, bays, Roman villas and breathtaking landscapes, needs no introduction. It is one of the most beautiful and evocative islands in the world and is divided in two areas: Capri and Anacapri.

THE PIAZZETTA

As soon as you get to Capri you will be seduced by the Piazzetta, that is piazza Umberto I, also known as “salotto del mondo” (world’s gathering), where the life of the island gathers.

From the Piazzetta you can easily get to the historic centre of Capri strolling along Via Le Botteghe.

Walking down the road you will get to the Certosa di San Giacomo (San Giacomo Charterhouse), dating back to 1371, the most ancient abbey in Capri. Not far from it there are the Giardini di Augusto (Augusto’s Gardens), a botanical garden with a panoramic view on the famous faraglioni of Capri and on Marina Piccola beach as well.

PIZZOLUNGO PATH

Walking along the Pizzolungo path you will reach some steps heading to the Grotta di Matermania, a grotto dedicated to the Goddess Cibele during the Roman period, and to the Capri natural arch, that is 12 m wide and 18 m tall.

In Capri you will also find many Roman villas, such as Villa Jovis that was requested by the emperor Tiberius.

Anacapri means “above Capri”, in fact this area is in the upper side of the island, at the foot of the Monte Solaro (Solaro Mount), and you can get there by the chairlift of Monte Solaro that starts from Piazza Vittoria.

Don’t miss the amazing Grotta Azzurra (Light Blue Grotto) and the Faro di Punta Carena (Punta Carena Lighthouse), a panoramic viewpoint where you can take the Sentiero dei Fortini (Small Forts Path), a path to discover the small forts that used to guard the island.

Not far from the Grotta Azzurra there is the Villa Romana di Damecuta (Damecuta Roman Villa), one of the many villas that belonged to Tiberius, the Roman emperor.