Get ready to say ciao to one of the most magical places on earth. Meet Capri. This small island just off the Sorrento peninsula of southern Italy is effusive in its jaw-dropping natural beauty, breathtaking views, clear blue water, and absolutely delicious food (and let’s not forget about the wine!). And as if this town needed to make it any harder to leave, the people of Capri are warm, vibrant, and infinitely stylish. There truly couldn’t be more to fall in love with.
Capri is rich (and famous) in history. Some say that the legendary Greek hero Odysseus resisted the seductive song of the Sirens here. It’s where the hedonistic Roman emperor Tiberius retired and caroused at Villa Jovis. The famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda was exiled here. Jacqueline Kennedy even made a famous yacht stop here, after which she brought “capri” pants back to the US.
Capri is absolutely a destination worthy of a trip on its own, but you simply cannot visit Italy without factoring in some time to visit this little slice of heaven. It’s a sun-soaked destination for the rich and famous for good reason—just ask the celebrities with their yachts moored in Marina Grande. The only hard part is booking your flight back home.
Read on to explore my best-of recs for this island that truly has it all (and then some).
Pro Tips
Getting there
The easiest way to get to Capri (unless you’re on a private plane, helicopter, or yacht, of course) is to fly through Naples. You may consider spending one night in Naples to get a little more adjusted to the time change. From there, have a hotel concierge arrange for a car to take you to the Port of Naples to board the high speed ferry (which includes a luggage porter and transportation on the other side). The ferry ride takes approximately 40 minutes, and the water is surprisingly choppy. If you’re prone to seasickness (or just looking for a more luxe mode of travel), consider splurging on a private speedboat—it will get you there much quicker, for about $2,000 US (in my opinion, it’s worth the investment if it’s within your means).
Island life
It may seem obvious, but when booking your trip to Capri, keep in mind that it is an island (aka totally surrounded by water). So while hopping around to other Amalfi islands is totally possible, it takes a bit of planning. If you have the time, I definitely recommend squeezing in a day trip trip to Positano or Ravello, but this will be the one part of your itinerary you’ll want (and need) to plan out. Your hotel concierge will be able to help coordinate your transportation (ferry, speedboat, yacht, etc), or you can plan this as part of your trip ahead of time.
Walk the walk
One thing that surprised me about Capri was all the walking. It seems like almost everything is an uphill endurance hike (so bring footwear to match). The moment you start huffing and puffing, chances are you’ll be passed by an elderly Capri resident—dressed to the nines, no less (just another testament to Europeans being way healthier than Americans!). The roads are also super narrow… so be prepared for a harrowing car ride up the mountain from the port. The food in Capri is so decadent and delicious, but with all the walking, you can definitely eat with abandon (every time I’ve visited, I’ve eaten so much and still managed to lose weight… win!).
Two sides of Capri
Not only are there literally two sides of Capri (The Marina Grande and Anacapri, but more on that later), but visitors also clearly fall into one of two categories. One is the day-tripping tourists taking advantage of the island’s closeness to Naples, Sorrento, and the Amalfi coast (without the high price tag), who come in the morning and leave at sunset. The other is the jetsetting rich and famous, from Queen Bey and Jay-Z to Kobe Bryant (And all your favorite Hollywood A-listers). Many of the latter keep their own private residences, but it’s not unusual to catch a celeb sighting here. So if you plan to visit Capri, spend at least two or three nights there to fully soak in everything it has to offer.
Where to Stay
Capri is a great destination to consider staying in an Airbnb, especially if your travel group is on the larger side. There are some incredible Italian villas for rent, and this can actually be a much more cost-effective option. Even if you’re just traveling with one or two others, you can find some great bungalows and apartments in great locations.
In terms of hotels, here are a few of my very favorites:
Literally, everywhere: Did I mention that Capri is famous for their lemons? Every restaurant offers a special digestif called Limoncello, which is amazing. It’s bright yellow, equal parts sweet and tart, and served in small glasses. They say it helps with digestion, so enjoy and drink up!
Where to Shop
From LV to Gucci to Prada, Capri is synonymous with luxury retail. In the last few years, every high-end brand (and then some) have set up shop near Via Camerelle. Although fewer and farther between, some stores continue to specialize in amazingly good quality local goods. In Capri town, Candora (Via Camerelle 3) and Da Costanzo (Via Roma 49) still make some of the most gorgeous hand-tooled leather sandals, which Capri is known for. On the Piazzetta, La Parisienne sells clothes that are made on the island (Jacqueline Onassis had her infamous capri pants made there). I also love Autori Capresi for crisp and chic linen clothing, stylish hats, and leather sandals. Whatever your speed, just make sure you bring some spending money along, because trust me, you will want to shop in Capri.
Where to Play
While Capri is an incredibly vibrant town in the sense that dinners run late, there isn’t really a club or bar scene to speak of. And honestly, when I’m in Capri, that’s the last thing I’d want, anyway. I’d much prefer to cap my evenings with a drink in the center courtyard of Quisisana. If you are looking to add a bit more “life” to your nightlife, check out VV Club or Taverna Anema e Core (that is, if your legs aren’t too sore from all the walking!). Otherwise, enjoy a nightcap or a cappuccino in the Piazzetta and get your fill of people watching.
