Capri

Access

The connections with Capri are exclusively by sea. The island is served by the port of Marina Grande, from where ferries and hydrofoils to Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi and Positano depart and arrive. Within the municipality, journeys are made on foot, by small shuttles or by funicular railway that connects the port to the historic centre.

Introduction

Capri is a municipality in the metropolitan city of Naples that occupies the eastern part of the island of the same name, in the heart of the Gulf of Naples. The town is world-famous for its seascapes, sheer cliffs and the famous Faraglioni rock formations. The urban centre is spread out on a plateau about 140 metres above sea level, connected to the port of Marina Grande by a funicular railway.

Description

The origins of Capri date back to Greek and Roman times. The island was the favourite residence of the Emperor Tiberius, who had numerous villas built there, including the famous Villa Jovis. Over the centuries, the island suffered Byzantine, Norman, Angevin and Aragonese domination, always maintaining strong ties with Naples. The nineteenth and twentieth centuries marked the rebirth of tourism on Capri, which became a favourite destination for artists, writers and travellers from all over Europe.

The town centre retains its medieval layout with narrow alleys, small squares and whitewashed houses. The famous Piazzetta, officially Piazza Umberto I, is the social heart of Capri and a meeting point for locals and visitors. The main monuments include the Charterhouse of San Giacomo, founded in the 14th century, and the Gardens of Augustus, overlooking the sea with a view of the Faraglioni rocks and the winding Via Krupp.

The town's economy is mainly linked to tourism, which is the primary source of income. In addition to the hotel and restaurant sector, the local craftsmanship is renowned for the production of Capri sandals, artistic work and typical liqueurs such as limoncello.

Capri retains strong ties to its religious and popular traditions. The festival of San Costanzo, the island's patron saint, is celebrated in May with a solemn procession. Gastronomy is characterised by fresh fish dishes and specialities such as caprese salad, ravioli capresi and torta caprese al cioccolato.

The surrounding area offers countless hiking possibilities: from the paths that connect Capri to Anacapri, to the walk to the Natural Arch and the Grotta di Matermania, to the challenging route to Monte Solaro, the island's highest peak (589 m), which dominates with spectacular views of the Gulf of Naples and the Amalfi Coast. The rugged coastline holds famous natural attractions such as the Grotta Azzurra and Grotta Verde.