Travel Diary | Capri: Part 1

‘O Sole Mio

Capri is my favorite place in the whole world. I’ve been fortunate enough to have visited this breathtaking place multiple times, and each time I fall more in love with it. The island of Capri is magnificent. I’m thrilled to share my experiences on the island with you. This will be the first of three blog posts dedicated to Capri.

Today’s post is about my five favorite things to do in Capri; they’re places I love to visit and hopefully, I can give you some ideas on where to go if you’re planning a trip to the island.

Stay

You can get to Capri from the Port of Naples. Then take a ferry to Marina Grande, the trip is approximately an hour. Once you’re in Marina Grande, there are buses available to Capri or Anacapri depending on your destination. 

If you’re staying on the island for a few days, I recommend staying at a Bed and Breakfast. I have three affordable options, but if your budget allows there many wonderful hotels in the island. I prefer to stay in Anacapri, it’s quieter and has a hometown feel because it’s where many of the locals live. First, Villa Damecuta. Raffaella and her family are delightful; they really made us feel at home. We had the pleasure of staying in Villa Damecuta twice.

If you want a phenomenal view of the island, I recommend B&B Monte Solaro. It’s not easy to get to because it’s located high above the mountain, but worth it! And finally, Il Sogno, a beautiful home with a gorgeous garden and a lovely view of the sea. Our host Serenella was warm and welcoming.

See

The activities I’m going to recommend will take a few hours; these are great places for day-trippers exploring the island, and for those staying in Capri for a few days. We’re going to start at the bottom of the mountain and work our way to the top.

Boat Tour

Ready to get your sea legs? The island offers various boat tours that will take you around the island. You can see the impressive Faraglioni and Blue Grotto up close and personal. There’s also a fantastic view of the Punta Carena Lighthouse and the villas of famous celebrities like the bellissima Sophia Loren. 

Gardens of Augustus

If you want to get away from the crowds, I highly recommend visiting the lavish Gardens of Augustus. The first thing you notice when you arrive at Capri is that it has its own scent. All the lemon trees, flowers, and herbs all contribute to its intoxicating fragrance. The botanical garden was created in the 19th century. It’s the only place where you see a panoramic view of the island. There you can sit and relax and take in all the natural beauty. 

Villa San Michele

Villa San Michele in Anacapri is a must for art lovers. It was the home of Swedish physician and author Axel Munthe, which he built over 100 years ago! He left this house and gardens to the people of Capri. It’s full of ancient artifacts, Roman sculptures, and mosaics. It’s quite an extensive collection; there’s even a Greek tomb in the garden and a granite sphinx overlooking the island. Legend has it if you place your left hand on the Sphinx and make a wish, your wish will come true. Villa San Michele is truly magical.

Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo

The Church of San Michele is the most beautiful church I’ve ever been to and my favorite. It’s not extravagant, from the outside you think it’s nothing special, but it is! It was built in 1719, and it’s located in Piazza San Nicola in Anacapri. The church is dedicated to the archangel Michael, and it’s one of the most important examples of Neapolitan eighteenth-century architecture. Its unique and most impressive attraction is the church’s majolica floor, which tells the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The floor was made by master ceramicist Leonardo Chiaiese. It’s breathtaking; if you only see one thing in Anacapri, make it the Church of San Michele. 

Monte Solaro Chairlift

If you’re not scared of heights, I highly recommend taking the chairlift up Monte Solaro. The chairlift is located in Anacapri, and it’s only a 12 minute ride to the top of the mountain. It has the best view of the Mediterranean sea. At the top, there are even more breathtaking views of the island and the Faraglioni. 

I hope you enjoyed this post! If you’re planning a trip to Capri, please let me know I would love to answer any questions or give you some travel tips. Stay tuned for the second part of my Capri Travel Diary; I’m focusing on food! 

Addio!