Capri, Italy

Capri is known as the hidden treasure of Italy, a small island sitting along the Bay of Naples waters.

A heaven on earth, with jagged clifftops, pristine sapphire waters, and jaw-dropping views. Capri is the perfect place to spoil yourself on endless food and wine at night, while you discover natural wonders surrounding you during the day.

Things to do in Capri

• Hike up to Monte Solaro

  To truly witness the jaw-dropping views first hand, one of the best activities to do is hiking up to Monte Solaro. Nestled on top the highest part of the island, the point lets you see 360-degree views of the surrounding sapphire ocean and neighbouring land. You can either take a 12-minute chairlift up the mountain or enjoy the hour-and-a-half-long hike to the summit, rewarding yourself with a drink at the bar located right at the top!

• Discover the Crumbling Place Ruins

  See the history of the land firsthand at the ruins of the Villa Jovis. During the reign of the Roman Empire, a magnificent villa was commissioned on this island by Emperor Tiberius. There were 12 villas in total built, and out of all of them, the Villa Jovis was by far the biggest and most superior, similar to a palace. Nowadays it is merely a crumbling section of ruins but a visit here will teach you much about its incredible Roman past.

• Explore Villa San Michele

  

  Taking its name from a chapel that used to sit on the site, the Villa San Michele is beautiful, and it is no wonder that it is one of the most popular tourist sites in Capri. In 1885 the Swedish physician Axel Munthe came to Capri and fell in love with it, choosing to build his villa on the chapel ruins.

  A walk through this villa will fill you with admiration for its design. The Mediterranean buildings hug the cliffside and the plants which twist around the columns appear brighter against the white walls and pillars. Flowers planted in the garden give off a glorious scent and the tall trees provide cooling shade that immediately relaxes the villa’s visitors. If you walk past the columns and pergolas you will eventually find yourself stood behind a granite Sphinx that looks out across some of the most impressive views in Italy.

  The most important feature Munthe wanted from the villa was light. He said: “My house must be open to the sun, to the wind, and the voice of the sea, just like a Greek temple, and light, light, light everywhere!” This vision of Munthe’s is clearly visible when you walk through the villa, the light pours in between the pillars and through the leaves of the trees, creating an ambiance like no other.

• Try the food

  

  Some of the best restaurants in Italy are said to be on the island of Capri. This location is simply perfect for relaxing with an Aperitivo before heading to a bar for a drink or to a restaurant for a glorious evening meal served up as the sun sets. This area of Italy produces some of the best quality ingredients with much of it grown in the nutrient-rich volcanic soil surrounding Mount Vesuvius, so sampling traditional Italian cuisine is a must. The island is considered very luxurious so budget-conscious travellers may need to search for a perfect dinner spot. But this could also be an opportunity to treat yourself and sample the best food Italy has to offer, set against one of the most stunning backdrops you’re ever likely to see.

Discover the waters

• Boat to Faraglioni Rocks

  The best way to see the fantastic surrounds of Capri is by boat. Either hop on a tour or hire a boat yourself and visit the stunning attraction known as the Faraglioni rocks. Faraglioni rocks are three massive rock structures that emerge straight from the waters. The name Faraglioni is derived from the Greek word ‘Pharos’ which translates to ‘lighthouse.’ This is because thousands of years ago these rocks were once used as lighthouses, using fires to help safer navigation.

• Visit the green and white grotto

  If you choose to see the island from a boat, then you will likely drift past the Green and White Grottos. The Green Grotto is famous for the amazingly clear green/blue tinted waters around it that appear to glow when hit by sunlight. Whilst the cave is beautiful to see from a boat, a better way to explore it is to swim in the waters yourself. Swim to the rocks and gaze up as the green water is reflected upon the stone.

  The White Grotto is not famed for its water but for the white stalactites that cling to the rock. The cave is comprised of two levels, the bottom of which can be accessed by boat, but the upper cave extends into the rock and appears to disappear behind the glistening white teeth of the stalactites.

• Visit the famous Blue Grotto

  Last but not least is Capri’s blue grotto. This is famous throughout the world and is one of the main reasons a large portion of Capri tourists visit the area. This magical sea cave lies along the coast of the island and is only accessible by row boats. The cave is 60 metres in length and 25 metres wide, and in any other case, the cave would be a dark dreary tunnel with only light visible from the entrance hole. However, this cave is alight with a stunning pure blue glow, with the see water glowing a ghostly light that transforms this regular cave into an enchanting experience. The reason for the natural comes from the sunlight shining through the underwater cavity beneath the cave.

  Due to its immense popularity, and the limited accessibility, the attraction has a long queue of tour boats waiting for their turn to enter the cave. The wait can last up to an hour, with only 10 minutes or so in the actual grotto, but it is well worth it.