11 things to do and see in Capri

Capri

11 things to do and see in Capri

Capri, Pablo Neruda's “queen of rocks”, has always been associated with glamorous and elite tourism. A photograph that only partially reflects the island that for a long time, however, owes its fortunes to cruise tourism and day trips (here the timetables of ferries and hydrofoils to Capri). In the ability to reconcile these two aspects, lies the main merit of the people of Capri, capable of making the "dream" more accessible without selling it off. As for the things to do, one cannot but start from the magnificent Blue Grotto.

1 Blue Grotto

As soon as you disembark at the port of Marina Grande, the signs for the boats that make the transfer to the most famous cave in the world are clearly visible. There are two options: one is the tour of the island with a stop and visit to the Blue Grotto; the other is the direct passage. Once on the spot (upon payment of another ticket) it is necessary to pass on the traditional rowing boats that accompany tourists in the blue of this wonderful ravine protected by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage.

2 A stop in the square

The stop in the Piazzetta is (almost) an obligation. I advise you, however, not to stay long. Just the time for a coffee (or an aperitif), a look at the landscape, some photographs of the views all around and then off into the alleys and streets of Capri. A coffee at the table it costs about four euros; for a drinkinstead, it takes ten, euro more euro less.

3 Church of Santo Stefano

The church of Santo Stefano is the largest parish on Capri. Originally dedicated to Santa Sofia, the building was designed by the Neapolitan architect Francesco Antonio Picchiatti to recover the ancient Benedictine convent of the '500 of which only the bell tower that overlooks the square remains. Inside the church, the former cathedral, there is also a statue of San Costanzo, protector of the island.

4 Via Camerelle

From Quisisana to via Tragara, Camerelle is the shopping street of Capri. We are at very high levels and, it must be said, economically inaccessible to most. Even just walking, however, has its own reason: the elegance, cleanliness and composure of all the activities on this street do not leave indifferent the thousands of tourists who land on the island every day.

5 Gardens of Augustus

The Gardens of Augustus are a must for anyone who wants a photo with the background of the Faraglioni, the famous rocks of Capri. From April to October the visit costs one euro. Crowded all day, it is preferable to visit them in the morning and in the evening. There is less turnout and it is the moments of the day that give the best photos. Under the Gardens of Augustus there is the splendid Via Krupp, the winding road of the German industrialist Friedrich Alfred Krupp. Unfortunately, due to the risk of landslides, it is almost always closed and therefore can only be admired from the Gardens of Augustus.

6 Belvedere Tragara

Via Tragara is the natural continuation of the Via Camerelle promenade. The road ends with a wonderful viewpoint that offers one of the most beautiful views of Capri. The Faraglioni, unlike the perspective from the Gardens of Augustus, are so close that it seems you can touch them. On the right, however, there are the houses of Capri perched on the slopes, Mount Solaro and the bay of Marina Piccola. Under the Tragara viewpoint there is the wonderful road (775 steps!) That leads toArco Naturale and Pizzolungo. Along the path you can see, perfectly inserted in the luxuriant Mediterranean scrub of this stretch of coast, the villa of Curzio Malaparte, a masterpiece of rationalist architecture of the 900th century.

7 Villa Malaparte

At the end of the XNUMXth century, and again throughout the first half of the XNUMXth century, Capri and Anacapri were filled with elegant villas, the whim of this or that magnate. Different styles - from neoclassical to gothic passing through liberty - as were the sensitivities, attitudes and sometimes the vices of the clients of these prestigious residences. Separate speech for “Casa like me” the villa of Curzio Malaparte on Punta Masullo, a spike of rock on the road leading to the Arco Naturale and Pizzolungo. Built in 1938, also thanks to the friendship with the powerful Galeazzo Ciano, Villa Malaparte is one of the masterpieces of modern architecture. Very different from all the other villas on the island but, nevertheless, perfectly integrated into the surrounding environment. To say, the facade is red and has 4 large windows on each side, each with a different view of the island. It is said that in the halls of his Capri home, Curzio Malaparte wrote a large part of kaputt, one of his most famous novels. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on the point of view, Villa Malaparte cannot be visited. We must therefore be satisfied with photographing this jewel of the rationalism of the 900th century, something that many "architecture tourists”Fascinated by the grandeur of Capri.

8 Villa San Michele

Villa San Michele is located in Anacapri, about 300 meters above sea level. Work of the Swedish doctor Axel Munthe, the villa has been used as a museum for many years. Museum that houses many finds from the Roman age (columns, vases, marbles, etc.) personally unearthed by Munthe around the island, together with other works of art that belonged to or donated to man in his lifetime.
Villa San Michele can be visited every day, all year round, albeit with different closing times.

Admission costs € 7,00.

9 Mount Solaro

With its 589 meters above sea level, Monte Solaro is the highest peak on the island. The way
easier and more comfortable to get there is the chairlift located in Piazza Vittoria in Anacapri.
The panorama embraces the two gulfs of Naples and Salerno, the island of Ischia and, ça va sans dire, i
mythical Faraglioni. If you want, you can also go up on foot (one of the paths starts from the Viale di Villa
San Michele), an option that I would recommend for the descent, which is certainly less tiring
and within everyone's reach. Chairlift timetable:

March April: open all day from 9.30 to 16.00
November-February: open all day from 9.30 to 15.30
May-October: open all day from 9.30 to 17.00

Rates:
Ascent and descent: 10,00 € uro
Ascent and / or Descent: 7,50 € uro

10 Non-Catholic Cemetery

It is from the second half of the nineteenth century that Capri has been a tourist resort of international level. They flocked to the island - and still do - from all over the world: from Germany and England above all, but also from Russia and the United States. Famous people, men of culture but also many young Northern Europeans who landed on the island for the beneficial virtues of Mediterranean climate. Obviously, at a certain point the need arose to guarantee a worthy burial even for people of different religious beliefs (Anglicans, Jews, Orthodox, etc.). A need met in 1878, thanks to the sensitivity of Ignazio Cevio, father of the more famous Edwin who, after his father's legacy, donated another six hundred square meters of his land to the “cause”. 204 people are buried today in the non-Catholic cemetery of Capri. Among these, the English writer Norman Douglas, famous for "Vento del Sud" ("South Wind" in English) novel of 1917 that had wide international echo. Among other things, the plot takes place in "Nepente", an imaginary island in the Mediterranean which is nothing more than the literary transposition of the beloved Capri.

Visiting hours 8.00-19.00
Festivi: 7.00-12.00

Free admission

11 Boat trip

As for the transfer to the Blue Grotto, as soon as you disembark in Marina Grande you will find all the information for the tour of the island by boat. The formulas are different: dal organized tour, designed mainly for the one-day tourist, al rental (with driver) of
speedboat and laser. In any case, the tour of the island is a "must" for anyone visiting Capri.
Taking a bath, then, near the Faraglioni and the Blue Grotto is an experience
gorgeous. More than telling it, you have to live it!