CAPRI Italian island
Understand
Capri, known in Greek mythology as the isle of the sirens, was a favored resort of the Roman emperors. Most notoriously, the emperor Tiberius had his villa on the island, the location (supposedly) of debauched orgies. Those who displeased the emperor were flung to their deaths from the cliffs. The island is world famous and is very touristy, especially when swamped with tourists in July & August, but other times of year it is calmer and more relaxing
The isle of Capri is the setting for William Somerset Maugham’s The Lotus Eater, a short story in which the Bostonian protagonist arrives in Capri on holiday, wherein he is so enchanted by the place that he abandons his job and decides to spend the rest of his life in leisure on the island.
By boat
It is reached in about 40 minutes by hydrofoil from the port of Ischia or Forio, docking at Marina Grande on the north side of the island. There are also boats from Naples (20/day, €16, 40 minutes) and from Sorrento (15/day, €12, 20 minutes). Boats are operated by Caremar and SNAV
From Marina Grande, a funicular goes up to Capri Town, and boats leave for the Blue Grotto. The fourth store to the right of the funicular provides baggage storage for €2.50/day per bag, from 8:30-6:00. Tickets for buses, funicular, and return boats are for sale at kiosks, along with public toilets. The Tourist Information office offers €1.00 maps, open daily April to October 8:30-8:30pm, November to March monday to sunday 9:00-1:00 & 3:30-6:30. The Bar Augusto has internet access from 6:00am-8:00pm
Get around
- By Foot: from the main harbour to the town up the hill leads a range of stairs. Stairs and walkways, mostly signposted, crisscross the island.
- By Funicolare: this mountain tram (same stuff as in Naples, Heidelberg, Barcelona and San Francisco) connects the harbour with the town up the hill. Read also about the unified public transport ticket Campania Unico.
- By Bus: Island buses are readily available to take you to the various areas of the island. They run on a schedule and cost 1,30 € per ride, €2,80 for 60 minutes unlimited use, or €6,70 plus €1 deposit for unlimited day use (deposit is refunded to you at end of day). Buses run from:
- Marina Grande to Capri town (4/hour) and then take bus to Anacapri (4/hour) but the Capri to Anacapri bus gets crowded, so you could take a bus direct from Marina to Anacapri (2/hour)
- Anacapri Buses go to Capri (at least 4/hour) and to the Blue Grotto
The roads are very narrow and quite dangerous. Bus travel is for the brave!
See
- The town of Anacapri and its surrounding villas and hikes
- Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) - The Blue Grotto is a beautiful cave at the water’s edge with a tiny opening to the sea that opens and closes with the tide, used as a bath since the Roman times. The entrance is small and depending on the tide there is just enough space for only a small rowboat to get through. Dark at the entrance, one has to enter 20-30 yards and then turn around to view the beautiful sight of the light from the entrance flowing through the water lit turquoise from below by the sun. Hence the sight of the “Blue Grotto”. You’ll be amazed at the turquoise hues glimmering in the water and against the rocks. The grotto often closes due to tides and waves, and it may take a while for your boat to get in, with many other boats trying to do the same. It may also be advisable to check the tides beforehand to avoid disappointment. The round trip boat from Marina Grande to outside the cavern costs €9, then €4.50 or higher for the rowboat to take you in through the tiny entrance, plus €4 admission to the cave a total of around €20, with a round trip of about 1 to 3 hours. Alternatively, one can take a bus to Anacapri, walking 100m (inquire locally), then taking another bus to the Grotta Azzurra, and then paying €9 for a rowman to take you in and out. This has the advantage of cutting on the cost from Marina Grande, as well as placing you near Anacapri where much else is to be seen. The grotto is open from 9:00 to one hour before sunset daily. If the grotto closes suddenly (hopefully while you are outside it), consider a €12 cruise around the magnificent Faraglioni Rocks instead.
- Villa Jovis - Villa Jovis, the splendid residence of the Emperor Tiberius, start from Piazzetta Umberto I and turn into Via delle Botteghe, continuing straight on through Via Fuorlovado, Via Croce and, finally, Via Tiberio. After visiting the villa, you could dedicate some time to other attractions in the vicinity, such as the Church of Santa Maria del Soccorso, the Cave of Tiberius and the Lighthouse Tower.
Sunrise - If you take the early ferry from Naples (the one at 6.45 a.m), then as you travel to Capri, the sun rises over the mountains. The sky turns from deep violet to pink to orange to gold. It is an amazingly beautiful sight, certainly worth waking up at the ungodly hour!
Hike Take one of the public footpaths which let you reach for instance the “Arco Naturale” and other 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. The map you can buy for a small fee at the main tourist office in the harbor shows most of the footpaths. However, it is difficult to get lost on such a small island. - Rent a motor scooter to tour the island. Gets you around much quicker than on foot, but still allows you to easily maneuver the winding roads. Beware of crazy bus drivers especially around corners!
- Take the chairlift ride from Anacapri up Monte Salaro, the views from the summit are incredible, and there’s some really pretty gardens and orchards underfoot on the way up the mountain. The ride takes 15 minutes each way, and you’ll want at least 30 minutes at the top. €6.5 round trip, €5 one way. Open daily in summer 9:30 to 5, last run down at 5:30, November to March last run down at 3:30
- Swim, in the Blue Grotto after 6:00pm when the boats stop, as many locals do; in any of the other Grottos in the island, at the Marina Piccola (resort-like beach), or at any of the natural beaches. Swimming in Grottos is only for experienced swimmers and is not for the faint-hearted, as tidal waves can frequently close and open the openings to the Grottos, and in the process, potentially injure a swimmer against the rocks when trying to enter or exit.
Events
From April to the end of the summer, the island also comes to life from an artistic and cultural point of view. Concerts are organized almost every evening in the squares or the splendid villas built by Tiberius, as well as painting and sculpture exhibitions, plays and dance performances. This wonderful island is a destination that attracts visitors of all nationalities! - Festival of San Costanzo On May 14th every year, the patron saint of the town of Capri, San Costanzo, is celebrated.
- Festival of Sant’Antonio On June 13th every year, the patron saint of the town of Anacapri is celebrated with a large rustic festival.
- International Folklore Festival During the 1st week of August, Anacapri plays host to a range of events in its squares, featuring musical bands and folk dance companies.
- Settembrata Anacaprese September. A large rustic festival for celebrating the grape harvest: 10 days of celebration dedicated to the island’s typical produce, including shows, competitions and games.
- Capri Film Festival Every December since 1991, Capri has hosted an international festival dedicated to the cinema. The event attracts Italian artistes, Hollywood stars and independent filmmakers keen to present their works in this exclusive location.
Arco Naturale– Natural arch in the landscape reachable by a beautiful hike around the southern edge of Capri.
Eat
Some restaurants, especially around the town center, can be VERY expensive. A good alternative: go to the local grocery store (one near the port, another in Anacapri) and make your own delicious sandwiches. Cafes at the harbour are particularly bad (a can of coke will cost €5, while the same thing can be bought from a food shop in the town for €1). - Deco Supermercato, Via Matermania, 1, ? 081 83 76 840. open till 20.30 (not on Sunday). This is one of the few quite large and relatively cheap super market in the island. edit
- R. Buonocore, Via Vittorio Emanuele, 35. Very close to the ‘Piazzetta’, this place is plenty of very good sweets but the best is their ice cream with just done/still hot cones. Assistants speak english. edit
- Buca di Bacco, Via Longano, 35. A very nice and cosy restaurant with excellent seafood pasta dishes. Not so expensive and very good food. Book in advance edit
- Bar Columbus is in the same building that the funicular to Monte Solaro goes up (in Anacapri). The downstairs is a bar, good antipasta dishes, open daily, on Via Caposcoro. Telephone: 081-837-1441
Stay safe
As with many other places, hike at your own risk. Cacti, prickly pears, bees, and steep slopes and edges are the primary things to be cautious of on some trails, but otherwise, hiking on Capri’s trails is generally quite safe. However, be careful when walking down paths around the villas when alone, as many of the residents of the villas keep large dogs which may roam freely onto the public pathways; these dogs are not particularly friendly to foreigners of the island — one dog tried to bite a visitor who was simply trying to walk down a path through the villas from Mesola to Anacapri when the owner was away!
Swimming in the Grottos is only for the very experienced, as tides can easily open and close the Grottos and smash swimmers against the rocks when trying to enter or exit. Swimming alone in the Grottoes is highly discouraged.
Drink
After getting off the train that goes up the hill, walk up to the square with the pillars all around, and you’ll find a little drink stand. Buy a Red Orange Smoothie; they are excellent when the weather gets hot.
Sleep
- Albergo La Prora, Via Castello 6-8 Capri Center, (email: [Only Registered users can see links . Click Here To Register...])Situated in the oldest and most characteristic part of town about 100 m from Capri’s main square (piazza) this delightful little hotel was built in the early 19th century by a retired naval officer, who built it like the prow of a ship to remind of his nautical past, hence the name. Stunning views of the bay of Naples, its islands and the magnificent Vesuvius can be enjoyed from the terraces and windows, have breakfast looking out over the harbour and the natural beauty of Mt. Solaro, Capri’s highest peak. All rooms have bathrooms; Tv; Telephone; safes and Air conditioner. Directions: from the main square go up the church steps, under the arch to Via Madre Serafina, to Via Castello passing through the covered medieval part of the town (about 5 minutes walk).
 - Hotel Casa Caprile Capri – Via Follicara 9, – Cap: 80071, Capri - Italy. Telephone +39 081 837 3948 • Fax +39 081 837 188. Former residence of the Quinn of Sweden, today the Casa Caprile is an elegant three star hotel with 20 rooms and 2 suites surrounded by several exotic plants. All the accommodation of this hotel are decorated in the Mediterranean style and offer private bath, mini bar, air condition, TV e telephone. Only some dispose of balcony or terrace.
 - Hotel della Piccola Marina Capri – Via Mulo 14/16 - Cap: 80037, Capri (NA), Italy. Telephone +39 081 837 9642 • Fax +39 081 837 8483. A four star hotel immerged in a green garden, which offers 43 bedrooms with balcony to enjoy the fantastic view of Capri. The guests of this four star hotel of Capri can also use the swimming pool with bar and find lots activities do to while in holiday in this beautiful island.
 - Hotel Regina Cristina Capri – Via Federico Serena 20 - Cap: 80037, Capri (NA), Italy. Telephone +39 081 8370744 • Fax +39 081 8370550. A four star hotel with a perfect position to reach by walk the best beaches of Capri, and the main square (famous as piazzetta) of the town. Plus two swimming pool, one restaurant, a buffet breakfast served every morning and a snack bar for this four star accommodation
- Hotel Il Girasole Capri – Via Linciano, 47 – Cap: 80071 Capri - Italy. Telephone +39 081 8372351 • Fax +39 081 8373880. Comfortable 23 rooms for this three star hotel located in Anacapri, close the Grotta Azzurra, also offering a swimming pool with sun deck and snack bar. Due the limited number of rooms it’s worth it to reserve in advance using the online booking system of this three star accommodation of Capri.
 - Hotel La Canasta, Via Campo di teste, 6 Capri Center, [ This small recently-renovated property, managed and owned by the D'Emilio family, features beautifully-decorated interiors and lovely relaxing outdoor areas, and offers a personalized, friendly atmosphere. La Canasta hotel is situated in a charming area of Capri, just five minutes from the famous La Piazzetta square, a few steps away from Via Camerelle, Capri's most fashionable shopping street, and only a 20 minute walk from the striking Faraglioni beach.
 - Hotel La Floridiana Capri – Via Campo di Teste 16-I. Cap: 80073 Capri, Italy. [8]. Telephone +39 081 8370166 • Fax +39 081 8370434. Idyllic four star hotel of the beautiful island of Capri. Very close the famous central square of the town. Elegant public areas and bedrooms (some with whirlpool) decorated in a modern Mediterranean style, and terrace with amazing view on the Tyrrhenian Sea, four this four star accommodation of Capri.
- Ambassador Weber +39 081 8370141, Beautiful four-star hotel located in exclusive Marina Piccola. Watch the breath-taking scenery and the luxury yachts anchored in the small bay from your private balcony. Friendly hotel staff will shuttle you to La Piazzetta, the port, or any other location on the island. Free continental breakfast (best cappuccino in the world!) and nearby restaurants.
- Casa per Ferie Villa Helios, Via Croce, Telephone & Fax: 081-837-0240. A church run former convent, with the money raised to pay for a seniors home next door, with 24 quiet, simple rooms. Double w/bathroom €110, €30 more mid-May to September, extra bed €30, includes breakfast, family rooms, some with air conditioning, view terrace.
 - B&B Augusto Tel. 081 837 08 68.
 - Hotel Relais Maresca Capri, Via Prov. le Marina Grande 284, For beautiful 4 star accommodation with quality service and a host of facilities and amenities to complement the Mediterranean beauty of this relaxing and inspiring island, try the Hotel Relais Maresca
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11-18-2008, 10:54 AM
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