On this guide you will find everything you need to know before you travel to the famous Italian island – Capri. With information from how to get there, how to get around the island, where to stay, where to eat, what to do and see and more. If you are considering or already planning to visit Capri island this guide will help you have a smooth vacation in this beautiful destination.
Where is Capri island in Italy?
A lot of people heard of the famous Capri island but many of them can’t point it out in the map. If you at least know that it is part of Italy, kudos to you. 😀 (Believe me, you would be surprise by the amount of people that has no idea where it is at).
Capri island is located in the region of the the Amalfi coast. It is in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the Sorrentine Peninsula, on the south side of the Gulf of Naples. It has a population of approximately 12,200 people (2002).
What is about Capri island?
Most know Capri as an island of glamour and for the wealthy to go shopping. With so many high end brands and known for its shopping it is easy to get this overall idea, however, Capri has a lot more to offer besides that.
Capri island has one of the most beautiful views and has such a friendly and welcoming people.
They love tourists! Not just for the fact that their main economy is based in the tourism, but they are genuinely happy in sharing their culture with you. Everyone is so friendly and lay back. In my opinion, the people in Capri are more friendly than any other touristic city I visited in Italy. There is something about the welcomeness of the south of Italy combined with the lifestyle of an island. They really make you feel wanted there. Different feel from the bigger cities like Rome where I got the feel that tourists is more of an annoying thing for them (since there are so many).
Capri island also have a beautiful native fauna and flora. It looks like everything lives and grows effortless there.
I remember waking up to the roosters crowing and the birds singing every morning. It’s so peaceful if you have a chance to get away from the crowds and touristic places. You might find yourself walking for 15 minutes in a tiny street going down the hills completely alone with no noise at all besides the birds and the win. I really enjoyed getting lost on those tiny streets where there was no one and I had no idea where I was going. I always ended up with a silent beautiful view in the end of the way.
Where to stay in Capri island?
If you don’t mind paying big money for a hotel to spend the night or is looking for more of a luxurious vacation then definitely stay by downtown Capri or by the Marina Grande. The biggest and fanciest resorts are mainly located in that area. If you are looking for a budget stay and perhaps away from all of the tourists, I recommend staying in Anacapri, the western part of the island. There you will have a more authentic experience. Anacapri has its own downtown as well, but with a different vibe. It doesn’t have all of the fancy stores but it is just as lovely with cute stores, cozy bars and restaurants. Plus it is only a 10 minutes bus ride from Capri downtown or the Marina, with ⅓ or less of the tourists.
I stayed at the Bed & Breakfast called Agriturismo del Sole. It’s a beautiful place with only few rooms and an astonish view. It is run by a family, Luigi is the host and the chef is his wife, with his young sons helping with the kitchen. They have an open patio downstairs where is also the restaurant. It’s is perfect to catch the sunrise while savoring breakfast or enjoy the sunset with an authentic Italian homemade dinner feast. Make sure you start dinner early because the amount of food they provide is outrageous. After dinner they serve a bottle of Limoncello made by them. After that, you are ready to easily roll down hill after, just don’t go too far because going back up hill after a meal like that makes the job a little harder. Anyways, the hosts were so welcoming and kept feeding me every time they saw me, even when I was already full.
Breakfast at Agriturismo Del Sole in Anacapri island 
Pizza fritta 
This was just the antipasti for dinner
In my opinion Anacapri vibe is a mix of the feel of being in Tuscany (due to the mountains, climate and more rustic culinary) with more welcoming people than the fancy vibe of the center of Capri. It’s like the mountains feel, at the same time, a relaxing beach vibe. Anacapri is definitely where you should chose to stay if you want to have a more local feel and less touristy experience.
What time of the year to go to Capri island?
The tourist season on Capri traditionally runs from the end of April till the first weekend of November but locals consider the best times to visit the island from the beginning of April to mid-June, and from the beginning of September to mid-October.
- Capri summer is from June to August and their averages temperature is from 16°C – 29°C (60°F – 90°F).
- Capri winter is from December till February and their averages temperature is from 6°C – 14°C (42°F – 57°F)
When I went was mid September and the weather was perfect. It was actually warmer than Amalfi coast.
How to get to Capri island?
The easiest and cheapest way to get to Capri is by ferry from either Sorrento or Naples. It can be a ferry ride from 20 minutes up to 1 hour and 25 minutes depending if you chose a slow of high speed ferry. The price varies from €15 to €22 from Naples (from 50 minutes up to 1h25m) and €16 to €22 from Sorrento (from 20 minutes up to 30 minutes). In the website Capri.net you can buy the ferry tickets.
Transportation – How to get around in Capri island?
Capri is an island with a lot of mountains. It’s hills up and down with little tiny streets where most of them just golf carts pass by. There are some main roads where normal cars and buses can be driven (usually from one downtown to another), but in most parts of the island only motorcycles and some “little trucks” or minivans can pass by on the streets. Most of these are o transport goods from groceries stores or heavy things. But majority of the residents in the island get around by walking or taking the bus from one downtown to another. That explains why they can eat so much and not be fat – they walk up and down hill every day!
The cute taxis in Capri 
The van transportation to the B&B
An interesting fact is that over the summer season, tourists are prohibited from using cars. It makes sense since most of the roads on the island are very narrow and maneuvering around the island can be seen as near-impossible for some.
It’s probably better for everyone’s safety. For the lazy tourist, be warned that while in Capri, it will necessary to do some walking. Taxi is expensive and once again, there is only a certain point the cars can go and then you will have to walk for the remaining part of it. Buses are your best bet from Capri to Anacapri center, and to Blue Grotto or some of the beaches. There is some parts of the island that you can get just by foot, for example to Villa Jovis. Be prepare for some walking or you won’t leave the surrounding areas of your hotel.
What is Capri island famous for?
Capri is famous for the shopping, with a lot of expensive famous brands and also known for perfumes factories. One of the most famous touristic spot of Capri is the Blue Grotto which I personally I don’t really think it owns up to it reputation. There are a lot more beautiful places to see than to go in and out a dark cave in less than 2 minutes. Below I made a list with the main attractions to see in Capri island.
Top Things to See & Do in Capri island
Monte Solaro
Monte Solaro is the highest point of Capri at 1,932 ft / 589 m, from where you can enjoy a magnificent and delightful view of the island. The chair lift ride is a total of 13 minutes going up and down. It’s fun and you get to see one of the most beautiful views of the island once you are on top. You can hike up there too instead of taking the chair lift if you would prefer a challenge.
Downtown Capri
The downtown Capri is also called Piazzetta. It’s most famous square is called Piazza Umberto which is sort of small but probably the most fashionable square in the world. The Piazzetta has always been the center of life on the island, although in the past it served as market square for fish, vegetables and meat. Today, it’s the fashion market that lives there and you will find the most high end brands to shop there. Also be camera ready to snap a shot of some rich and famous people passing by.
Fashion square in Capri Island – Piazza Umberto 
Symbol of the most famous square of Capri Island
Downtown Anacapri
Downton Anacapri is a different experience than all of the glamour and celebrity-packed like downtown Capri. It’s more of a historic center and more quiet and peaceful. From Piazza Vittoria, you’ll find the chairlift to Monte Solaro and street that leads to Museum of Villa San Michele. It’s a more chill vibe and not many tourist. The prices are cheaper in the restaurants and the people are more friendly, on my opinion.
Villa Jovis
According to Wikipedia Villa Jovis is the largest of the twelve Tiberian villas on Capri built by emperor Tiberius completed in AD 27. These are beautiful ruins on the top of the mountain and you can take beautiful pictures of the view. You can walk inside the ruins which are pretty well preserved. The only way to get there is by foot, so be prepare for a 45 minutes hike uphill. Due to the fact of such a hike, it might be the reason why there is not many tourists. When I went there I was the only person, which felt great. No lines, no bumping into each other to take a picture. You can observe the view and hear the noises of the nature. Very beautiful & peaceful.
Blue Grotto
The Blue Grotto is a natural sea cave, 60 meters long and 25 meters wide. According to Wikipedia during Roman times, the grotto was used as the personal swimming hole of Emperor Tiberius as well as a marine temple. Although it is considered the most famous tourist attraction of the island, I was disappointed and don’t think it’s worth it.
It’s just a dark cave that you will wait at least 30 minutes in line, lay down in a wet little boat to go in and out in less than 3 minutes. You can barely see anything and you pay 14 euros. Perhaps the most entertaining part of the Blue Grotto experience was the “captains” of the little boats singing old Italian songs.
The Blue Grotto outside view 
Inside the Blue Grotto in Capri Island
If you would like to give it a shot, the best time to go see it is between noon and two since light that illuminates the inside of the cavern is at its strongest but you won’t be able to see much besides the blue reflection of the water.
Marina Grande
It’s probably your first stop & experience when you enter the island. They have nice stores and restaurant to walk around and to grab a drink or a dinner with a sunset.
The Beach
Capri has few and small beaches, carved into the rocky coast by wind and water and devoid of sand. It’s cool to relax there or eat good seafood in the establishments nearby.
Villa San Michele
It’s a villa built by a Swedish physician and writer Axel Munthe on the most scenic point of the entire island. It’s beautiful to walk around, appreciate the view and take picture.
Where to eat in Capri Island?
I felt embarrassed when I tried my first meal in one of the fancy restaurants in the downtown Capri called Le Camerelle that I decided it was not for me. The staffs in those places are very pretentious and if you are not willing to buy an expensive bottle of champagne with your meal and drop some hundred euros they won’t treat you nice, at least that was my experience.
The waiter was already not too happy when I asked for a glass of prosecco along with regular water. When he finally came to take my order after a long wait (the restaurant was almost empty) and I asked for a seafood risotto to be shared with my friend, he laughed at me. He literally looked at me and laughed at my face. I felt so embarrassed. It was not because of the price, but I knew how big the portion would be and I was not that hungry. In short, the way he acted made me feel I definitely didn’t belong there. The food was good but the overrated prices and bad service made me not want to give another try.
I decided that the pretentious Miami vibe in Italian island waters was not my biggest match. So I went to ask locals for some good restaurants recommendations.
Here are some great places that I tried and which I would definitely go back to:
Michel’Angelo Ristorante
This is a charming place with great food, lovely owners and such a welcoming chef. They have a menu with authentic Italian meals with a twist of modern dishes like this one that I tried: Gnocchi Caprese in a crust of parmesan cheese. It’s couple minutes away from downtown Capri but you get the same quality of the fancy restaurants with a much more affordable price and way better service. They make their own wine and olive oil and they have live music. You can also book cooking classes in the restaurant (I will have to go back to try that next time).
La Tablita Ristorante
They supposed to have one of the best quality of beef in the area. The beef carpaccio was very delicious but what really impressed me was the smoked burrata appetizer. First time having a smoke burrata and now I’m on a hunt for it. Their rosemary potatoes that came with the steak could be a solo side to order off the menu from so good that it tasted. Very good food and ambience. The owner is also super friendly and came to my table to explain each dish and where it came from. The piazza right by it is a nice place to chill aftwards.
Beef carpaccio – La Tablita ristorante 
Smoked Burrata – La Tablita
Agriturismo Del Sole – Best homemade dinner in Capri (with a view)
It’s a B&B in Anacapri with an awesome patio and open kitchen. Even if you are not staying there you should at least check them out for a dinner with a beautiful sunset view. Very affordable dinner with unlimited repeats and limoncello. You can’t get more homemade than this and with no lack of quality or flavor. The whole experience, the view, the food, the service, it should definitely be a must stop for more tourists in the area.
Buonocore Gelateria – The best gelato in Capri
Be ready to be in line. This place is very little inside and most of the people just order ice cream from the outside window however if you get a chance to scoop inside you will see all of the yummy pastries they have. The gelato is definitely one of the best in the island.
What to eat in Capri island?
Capri as being an island has some amazing seafood dishes and fresh fish. Also the island produce a lot of lemons and citrons, so the limoncello is a big symbol of the island. They make all types of dishes with lemons, from savory to desserts. Try their lemon chocolates or bring home some of their lemon hard candies. Here are some main dishes that Capri island is famous for.
Capri’s most famous dish is the Caprese Salad
The Salad of Capri, translated to ‘Salad of Capri’, is thought to have first graced the island in the 20th century as a dish for the visiting royalty. The vibrant and contrasting colours of the salad represent the flag (basil leaves, tomato and mozzarella), paying homage to its Italian routes. In addition to this, the salad shows the best of Italy’s fresh ingredients, with each element originating from the region.
Scialatielli
Scialatielli is a hand-cut pasta shape similar to a fettuccine and served with seafood and creamy lemon sauce. It’s very common in the whole amalfi coast as well.
Seafood & Fresh Fish
Nowhere on Capri is far from the sea and its delicious harvest, putting fresh fish and seafood high on any restaurant menu.
Pezzogna or big eyefish is caught locally, fried with garlic then finished with tomatoes and white wine.
Torta Caprese
It is a local chocolate and almond cake.
Limoncello
Traditionally meals on Capri are finished with a shot of limoncello. According to legend, this lemon-based sweet liqueur, served after meals, was invented on the island of Capri (though nearby Sorrento and Amalfi make the same claim!). Using Capri’s organically grown lemons, the recipe is so easy that many families make their own versions. The cream of limoncello is my favorite. It has the texture of a Baileys just with a lemon flavor.
The giant lemons in Amalfi coast are not what you think…
I bet you never seen a lemon this big?
Probably not since it is not a lemon but a Citron. Yes, I also had no idea about the difference between the two and was so amazed by the size of the fruit that I went on a mission to buy a “Giant lemon from Capri” as I was shouting about.
Citron is a large fruit with a thick rind and they don’t have a lot of juice. In Capri they are commonly used in salads where they cut the rind in thinly slices with aromatics.
According to Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citron citron “is one of the original citrus fruits from which all other citrus types developed through natural hybrid speciation”, in other words, citrons are the mother of the lemons and limes, being this hybrids of citrons.
Besides the scary giant lemons, you can’t go wrong with food in Capri. Just be aware of the expensive tourist traps by the main shopping streets and try to choose a fresh catch of the day to enjoy the most out of the island culinary.
Is Capri island expensive?
It can be expensive but only for those looking to stay right in the center of Capri and in the shopping district. There are a lot of luxurious resorts and expensive shopping but also very affordable places, if not to say, really cheap compared to other destinations in Amalfi coast. Stay a little far away from the center of Capri or even staying in Anacapri is very affordable and you can have a better experience of the real feel of the island.
Lastly, is Capri island worth visiting?Absolutely!!!
Capri Island Highlights & Overview:
- Language: the official language spoken in Capri is off course Italian.
- Visa: U.S. and brazilian citizens can enter Italy for up to 90 days for tourist without a visa
- Currency: Euro
- Safety: the island is very safe and i never felt uneasy or not even saw the police anywhere.
- Average Daily Spend: $86 – accommodation ($50/B&B), food ($30), transportation ($6/day if you take the bus) or free if you walk everywhere.
- Transportation: there are taxis and buses in the main streets but you still will have to do some walking since a lot of streets are very narrow and only pedestrians can pass by. Taking the bus from downtown Capri to Anacapri is a lot cheaper than a taxi. The bus is around $2 – $3 one way and taxi can be up to $30 same route.
- Climate: In the summer (June till August) averages temperature is from 16°C – 29°C (60°F – 90°F). In the winter (December till February) averages temperature is from 6°C – 14°C (42°F – 57°F)
- The Food: any seafood dish and fresh fish, scialatielli (handmade fettuccine with seafood), torta caprese, delizia al limone & limoncello.
- Must See & Do: shopping in downtown Capri, walk around downtown Anacapri, Villa Jovis, chair lift to Monte Solaro, Blue Grotto (which I don’t think is worth it), Marina Grande, the beaches and Villa San Michele.
- Culture/Friendliness: in downtown Capri you will see people a little stuck up (perhaps they are used with the famous and rich) but far away from the Piazella, most of the people that live in the island love tourist and are very welcoming.
Capri Island Fun Facts & Useful Tips:
- Almost half of the population of Capri died due to the plague in the 17th Century
- The island is the same size as New York City’s Central Park.
According to Wikipedia, the island has a population of 12,200 people, as of 2002. - August registers the greatest number of tourists on the island with an average of 20,000 arrivals per day. Daily average of almost double of the total population of the island.
- Over 80% of Capri’s summer tourists are on day trips from nearby Sorrento and Naples, so if you decided to stay in the island, you’re left with peace and quiet at the end of the day.
- Over the summer season, tourists are prohibited from using cars
It makes sense since most of the roads on the island being very narrow, manoeuvring around the island can be seen as near-impossible for some. It’s probably better for everyone’s safety. - Monte Solaro is the highest point of Capri at 1,932 ft / 589 m, from where you can enjoy a magnificent and delightful view of the island.
