The country of Italy is chalk-full of beautiful locations for travelers to visit, but in this Capri Travel Guide I am going to show you why the island of Capri may be my favorite. This gorgeous island is one of three islands that are located in Italy’s Bay of Naples, which is part of the Campania region of Italy. With breathtaking crystal blue waters, amazing local cuisine, stunning coastal rock formations, and a seemingly endless supply of beautiful views and fun things to do, Capri is a year-round traveler’s paradise.
However, because of its close proximity to the popular mainland towns of Sorrento and Naples, the island of Capri is far from a hidden-away secret. Each year, the island of Capri attracts over 2 million visitors who are eager to explore its beautiful beaches, swim in its amazing grottos, and enjoy the island’s stunning scenery. Many visitors choose to visit Capri on a day trip, while others choose to stay on the island to soak in all of the beauty and fun that it has to offer. Whether you decide to visit for the day or stay longer will depend largely on what you want to do while you are on the island.
In this Capri Travel Guide, I am going to give you all of the information you need to plan a successful trip to Capri, Italy. I cover the best times to visit and the best ways to get there so that you can maximize what you are able to see and do on your trip. In addition, I outline the top things to see and do while you are there and where the best places to stay and eat are. With this information in hand, you can be confident that your trip to Italy will be one that you remember for the rest of your life.
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At A Glance |
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Top Things to See |
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How to Get There |
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Best Time to Visit |
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Where to Stay |
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Where to Eat |
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Recommended Tours and Excursions |
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Photo Gallery |
At a Glance
Before you start making any travel plans, you will want to make sure to take care of all of the passport, VISA, and immunization requirements for your trip. In addition, you will want to make sure you have a clear understanding of what language they speak in Italy and what currency they use so that you can plan any translation needs you might have for your trip and exchange currency before your trip if necessary. I have included some of this key information in my Capri Travel Guide below for you to review as you start to make your travel plans.
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Passport requirements exist. See below for details. |
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Immunization recommendations are listed below. |
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The official language in Italy is Italian. |
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The official currency in Italy is the Euro. |
Passport Requirements
When visiting Italy, you must have at least 6 months of validity on your passport beyond the date in which you are planning on arriving in the country. You will also need to have at least two blank passport pages in order to be processed into the country. Presently, you do not need to have a Visa if you are planning on staying in the Schengen area of the EU for less than 90 days, but starting in 2021 American citizens will be required to get a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) authorization. Before you start making your travel plans, I would strongly suggest you review the passport requirements I have laid out in my Capri Travel Guide below.
| PASSPORT VALIDITY: | At least six months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area |
| BLANK PASSPORT PAGES: | 2 Pages Required |
| TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: | Not required for stays of less than 90 days (changes in 2021) |
| CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY: | 10,000 Euros or equivalent |
| CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR EXIT: | 10,000 Euros or equivalent |
Travel Immunizations
Before you leave for your trip to Italy, you need to make sure you have all of the proper vaccinations. Not only to protect yourself but to protect others. If you have questions on what immunizations you will need and what to look out for when you go to get them, I have included some general guidelines in my Capri Travel Guide below that I can pass on to you from experience.
- Most specialized travel clinics will not accept insurance so you will have to pay for your travel consultation and immunizations and then request reimbursement from your insurance company later.
- Some immunizations aren’t accepted by every insurance company, so check with your insurance provider before getting your immunizations.
- Check with your regular doctor first, as often they can do a travel consultation for you and write you the necessary prescriptions for your immunizations, even if they aren’t able to give them to you. This way you can ensure that at least your travel consultant will be covered by your insurance up-front.
- Check with Walgreens or other drug stores that give flu shots to see if they have any of the immunization shots that you require before going to a specialized clinic that doesn’t accept insurance to get them. Walgreens can give you many of the immunizations necessary for international travel, and they accept insurance up-front.
- The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website can be a great resource for answering any travel immunization questions that you have.
In case you are unsure of what travel vaccinations you might need, I have compiled a list below of some of what you might expect your physician to recommend.
- Hepatitis A & B (if you haven’t had them).
- Tetanus (if you aren’t current).
- Transderm SCōP Patch (for motion sickness) or at minimum Dramamine pills if you get motion sickness easily and you plan on getting out on the water or doing adventure activities.
- Flu Shot
Packing Tips
Outside of taking care of the passport, visa, and immunization requirements so that you can get into Italy and don’t get sick, there is no more important pre-travel planning task than making sure you pack the right clothing and gear for your trip. To help make sure you are properly packed and prepared, I have included links to some of my packing resources in my Capri Travel Guide below for you to review.
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| The Ultimate Travel Packing Check List | |
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| The Essential Carry-On Checklist | |
Top Things to See and Do
One thing that the island of Capri is not in short supply of is fun and amazing things to see and do. Whether you are looking for a relaxing getaway or are looking to get out and explore, you won’t have any trouble filling your itinerary when you visit Capri. If you are planning on just taking a day trip to Capri, then I would definitely recommend that you prioritize taking a boat ride around the island and exploring some of the breathtaking grottos found on the coastline. For those of you who are planning on staying on the island a bit longer, there are some amazing things to see inland if you have the time. If you are in the process of planning your trip and would like some ideas on what to see and do during your visit, I have included a list of my top things to see and do for you to review in my Capri Travel Guide below. I have also linked to my Amalfi Coast Travel Guide in case you would like to visit this amazing stretch of coastline that is nearby on your visit to Italy as well.
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| The Definitive Amalfi Coast Visitor Guide | |
 | The Blue Gratto |
 | Faraglioni |
 | Gardens of Augustus |
 | Monte Solaro Chairlift |
 | Belvedere of Punta Cannone |
 | Grotta Verde |
 | Marina di Capri |
 | Faro di Capri |
 | Gennarino Scugnizzo Di Capri |
 | Belvedere Tragara |
The Blue Grotto
Without any doubt, the Blue Grotto is the most popular tourist attraction on the island of Capri. In fact, it is so popular that many travelers choose to visit Capri just to see the Blue Grotto. This stunning sea cave is lit up by the sunlight shining thru an underwater cavity and illuminating the sea floor at the bottom of the grotto, which makes the whole grotto glow a brilliantly beautiful blue. To see the cave, you will need to arrange a tour when you arrive in Capri. It is a popular tour, so the earlier you arrive on the island, the quicker you will be able to get out on the water.
The tour guide will take you out to the Blue Grotto in a larger boat, then anchor just off the coast of Capri. Then, you will be brought into the grotto in smaller groups on a smaller boat. Once inside the Blue Grotto, your mind will be absolutely blown by the beauty. Believe me, there is a very good reason why this tour is so popular with tourists. In my opinion, it is an absolute can’t miss when visiting Capri.
Faraglioni
In Italy, the word Faraglioni is used to describe ocean stacks, which are large rock formations that rise out of the ocean off the mainland shore. There are many beautiful ocean stacks in this world, with the Twelve Apostles in Australia, Ko Tapu in Phang Nga Bay in Thailand, and the Haystack Rock off of Canon Beach in the state of Oregon in the United States being great examples. The island of Capri has its own ocean stacks, or Faraglioni, that are right up there among the world’s most beautiful. Most famously in Capri is the rock stack that you can actually drive a small boat thru, as seen in the picture above. If you are taking a tour of the grottos, you will get to see the beautiful Faraglioni up-close as you make your way around the island and your mind will be blown by their beauty.
Gardens of Augustus
If you are looking for some of the most breathtaking views of Capri and its stunning coastline, the best place for you to visit is the Gardens of Augustus. Originally known as the Krupp Gardens, these botanical gardens were established by a German industrialist named Friedrich Krupp for his private mansion on Capri in the early twentieth century. The gardens aren’t very large, but what the lack in size they certainly make up for in beauty. Not only are the flora and fauna beautiful, but the garden terraces offer some of the most beautiful views of the island and the coast. As long as you are in the area, I would also suggest stopping by Hotel Luna to check out its amazing gardens. You are guaranteed to get some Instagram worthy photos at these two locations.
Monte Solaro Chairlift
Another great spot to get amazing views of the island of Capri and the coastline is from the top of Mount Solaro, which at 1,932-feet (or 589-meters) is the highest point on the island. From here, you can see the entire island, as well as much of the beautiful Amalia Coast. You can hike to the top of the mountain, which takes between 1 and 1.5 hours to do, but the easiest way to get to the top would be to take the Monte Solaro Chairlift. The short 12-minute chair ride to the top provides some beautiful views of the island as well. The chairlift costs 9 Euros for a one-way ticket and 12 Euros for a round trip, and runs on the following schedule throughout the year:
- May-October: 9:30am – 5:30pm
- Mark-April: 9:30am – 4:30pm
- November-February: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Belvedere of Punta Cannone
If you are looking for a little bit of adventure when visiting Capri, I would suggest taking a hike to the Belvedere of Punta Cannone viewpoint. While not as famous as some of the other viewpoints I have mentioned on this guide, and certainly not as easy to get to, the Belvedere of Punta Cannone offers some truly remarkable views of Capri and the coastline. From here, you get an amazing aerial view of the Faraglioni and the Gardens of Augustus. If you look in the other direction, you can see the Marina and all of the beach clubs.
To get to this viewpoint, you will need to start out at the Piazzetta in Capri Town. From there, you will want to walk past the bus station. Just past the bus station, you will see steps that head uphill. The steps will take you thru the set of tunnels and a sign posted that directs you towards the Belvedere of Punta Cannone. It is a relatively easy 15-minute hike from this spot to the viewpoint.
Swimming in Grotta Verde
The Blue Grotto may get all of the attention and publicity, but it isn’t the only grotto worth checking out when you visit the island of Capri. One of the other popular grottos to check out on the island is the amazing Grotta Verde, or Green Grotto. Like the Blue Grotto, the Green Grotto is illuminated by sunlight shining thru underwater openings inside the cave. However, the Green Grotto glows an emerald green color instead of a brilliant blue. Unlike the Blue Grotto, you can swim near and inside the Green Grotto and are even allowed to climb the cliffs near the cave entrance. If you are looking to beat the heat and get in the water, this can be a fun day excursion. To get to the Green Grotto, you will need to book a tour. There are a number of different boat tours that stop at the Green Grotto and allow you to get into the water, so make sure you ask before you book a tour if this is something you are interested in.
Marina di Capri
Located on the northern shore of the island of Capri, the marina is the main transport hub of the island. This is where you will arrive on the island, where you will depart when you leave, and where you will board any boat excursions that you book while you are on the island. The marina is located in a natural bay, so it is protected from the big waves during most weather. The marina is also located adjacent to Capri Town, where you will find a lot of restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores.
Punta Carena Lighthouse
Located on the southern part of the island where large coastal cliffs stretch high above the water, the Punta Carena Lighthouse is one of Capri’s most beautiful structures. If you love lighthouses as much as I do, then you will absolutely love the Punta Carena Lighthouse. It is a breathtaking lighthouse that is located in one of the most stunning locations perched up on the seaside cliffs. While you are there, the lighthouse is also located near Lido del Faro, which is one of the best places on the island of Capri to go swimming.
Gennarino Scugnizzo Di Capri
If you look closely at the shoreline as you approach the island of Capri, you will notice a bronze statue of a young boy sitting on one of the large coastal rocks waving to you. Called the Scugnizzo de Capri, this sculpture was constructed to welcome and bid farewell seafarers who visit the island. The word Scugnizzo is Napoleonic for “street urchin”, and some rumors suggest that the statue was meant to entice women to the island. Whatever the purpose was for its creation, it is an interesting statue to see and photograph. If you would like to get a picture of the statue, you will be able to get especially close if you take a boat ride around the island or to visit the grottos.
Belvedere Tragara
If you are looking for a romantic spot with out-of-this-world views of the Faraglioni and the coast of Capri, then you will definitely want to take a hike to visit the Belvedere Tragara. It is an absolutely stunning viewpoint that offers visitors some of the best views of the Faraglioni. To get to the viewpoint, you will visit the Via Tragara, which is the street where most of the high-end luxury hotels on the island are located. The viewpoint is located at the large open terrace that overlooks the coast.
How to Get There
The island of Capri is Italy’s located in the Bay of Naples, which is part of the Campania region of Italy. It is situated just off the famed Amalfi Coast and is only a short ferry ride from the mainland of Italy. If you are in Italy and would like to visit the island of Capri, I would suggest either driving or taking a train to either the city of Naples or the city of Sorrento if you will be visiting the Amalfi Coast. The rail system in Europe is extraordinarily efficient and cost effective, so using the rail system to get around Italy would be my top recommendation. However, if you are looking for some flexibility in being able to get from place-to-place on your own timeframe, renting a car is an effective option. If you plan on driving in Italy, the US consulate recommends obtaining an international driver’s license before departing for your trip. For those of you who are in the process of planning your trip and would like to work out the logistics of getting to the Amalfi Coast from elsewhere in Italy, I have included a map with distances to the Amalfi Coast in my Capri Travel Guide below for you to review.
If you are traveling to Capri from Naples, the ferry ride takes approximately 45-minutes to reach the island. The ferries can book up quickly during the busy season, so I would strongly suggest booking your tickets for the ferry from Naples to Capri as far in advance as possible. For those of you who will be visiting the island of Capri from the Amalfi Coast, you will need to make your way to the city of Sorrento. From there, you can take a short 25-minute ferry ride to the island of Capri. Again, the ferry tickets tend to go very fast during the busy season, so I would strongly suggest booking your tickets for the ferry from Sorrento to Capri as far in advance as possible.
Best Time to Visit
When planning a trip to the island of Capri, you will want to make sure you take into account factors such as weather and precipitation levels to make sure you are visiting during the optimal time of year for your trip. Depending on what you plan to do during your visit, the weather you get while you are there can have a very big impact on your trip. The last thing you want is to not be able to see and do what you came for because of the weather. In order to assist you in picking the perfect time of year for your trip, I have included information on the average temperature and precipitation levels for the island of Capri in my Capri Travel Guide for you to review below.
Average Temperature (°F)
While the temperatures on the island of Capri typically don’t get to be too extremely hot or cold, there is a pronounced difference in the average temperatures throughout the year. During the winter months of December thru February, low temperatures can dip into the upper 40’s and the high temps don’t usually exceed the upper 50’s. If you are planning on spending a great deal of time outdoors during your visit, you may want to avoid visiting during the winter months. On the other hand, the summer months of June thru August can get quite hot during the summer. Average highs can reach into the upper 80’s or even 90’s. If you aren’t accustomed to the heat or would prefer to avoid uncomfortably hot temperatures, you may want to avoid visiting in the summer.
In my opinion, the late spring and early autumn months of May and October are the best months of the year to visit the the island of Capri from a temperature standpoint. The average high temperatures aren’t typically too hot and the average lows are still relatively warm. If you decide to visit during these months, you also have the added advantage of avoiding some of the larger summer crowds of tourists visiting the Capri.
Average Precipitation (Inches)
If you are planning on doing a lot of exploring outdoors while on the island of Capri, then the last thing you are going to want during your visit is a lot of rain. For that reason, I would suggest you take into account the average precipitation levels throughout the year before planning your visit. If you are looking to avoid wet weather, then you are definitely going to want to avoid the autumn and winter months of October thru January. These months typically see the most precipitation throughout the year. Instead, I would target either the spring or summer months, which tend to be much drier on Capri.
Where to Stay
One of the most important decisions you are going to have to make when planning your trip to Capri, Italy is where you will stay. When you travel, the accommodations you choose are oftentimes amongst the biggest expenditures for your trip. So not only do you need to be comfortable where you are staying, but you also need to be comfortable with how much you are paying to stay there. Finding the right accommodations for your trip involves looking at the amenities, the location, and most importantly, the price. If you are starting to plan your trip to Capri and want some hotel and hostel suggestions, I have included some great options at different price points in my Capri Travel Guide below for you to review. As always, don’t be afraid to expand your search to room sharing sites such as Airbnb or VRBO if you aren’t finding a hotel or hostel that meets your needs.
Where to Eat
When most people plan a trip, the primary focus is one how to get there, where to stay, and what is on the list of things to see and do. What many travelers neglect to plan, is where to eat when you are there. Granted, it is sometimes fun to be spontaneous when choosing a restaurant while traveling, and it is always smart to get recommendations when you arrive. However, it can also be advantageous to have some ideas of restaurants you would like to try during your trip written down beforehand as well. This way you can be assured that you won’t miss out on a highly recommended culinary experience that you will regret. To help you decide on some restaurants in Capri to add to your list, I have included a list of some highly recommended options for you to review in my Capri Travel Guide below.
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price |
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| Salumeria Da Aldo | Italian, Fast Food | $ |
| Ristorante Pulalli | Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean | $$-$$$ |
| Ristorante da Gemma | Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean | $$-$$$ |
| Lo Sfizio | Italian, Pizza, Seafood | $$-$$$ |
| Ristorante MONZU | Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean | $$$$ |
| Da Tonino | Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean | $$$$ |
Recommended Tours and Excursions
There is an abundance of amazing things to see and do in the Capri area and one of the best ways to experience those things is on a tour. If you are looking for fun tours and excursions to fill out your trip, I have included some category links to recommended tours and excursions you can review in my Capri Travel Guide below.
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Ports of Call Tours |
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Architecture Tours |
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Cultural Tours |
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Historical Tours |
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Archaeology Tours |
Photo Gallery
The island of Capri is absolutely chalk-full of great photography opportunities. There is a seemingly endless number of places and things to capture that are both beautiful and interesting. If you would like to review some of the pretty pictures that I was able to take during my stay, I have included a gallery of photographs for you to browse in my Capri Travel Guide below.
If you would like to view some more of my top photos from this trip, as well as photos from some of my many other travel adventures, make sure you are following me on Instagram as well!
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Been years since we have been to Capri,,,great place to revisit.
I agree! It’s amazing!