Once infamous as the "Island of Sin" the Isle of Capri is now simply a very desirable place to visit and a romantic spot for honeymooners. For centuries it was a retreat of sorts. Pirates hid their loot there and Emperor Tiberius used to hold orgies on the island (east of town are the ruins of Villa Jovis where he spent the last debauched years of his reign). Today it is a retreat for the jet set people. Expect superb restaurants, good shopping, water sports, castles, churches, wonderful streets to stroll through and some of the highest prices in Italy.
The extensions of Capri are not more than 6,7 Km length and a width varying between 2,7 Km and 1,2 Km. The islands highest point is Mount Solaro - 589 metres. There are two towns: Capri and Anacapri. About 8000 people live in Capri and 7000 in Anacapri. The town of Capri is located on the eastern side of the island, Marina Grande (the port) to the North and Marina Piccola to the South. Anacapri is on the western side of the island and is separated from Capri town by the imposing slopes of Mount Solaro.
The climate of Capri is typically mediterranean. The temperature varies from 10ÂșC in February - the coldest month - to 28ÂșC in August. Spring and Autumn are the milder seasons during which it is certainly more pleasant to visit the island.
On arrival you'll find yourself in Marina Grande (in the north). The main village on the island where most of the shops and restaurants are found is also called Capri (to be reached by foot, cab or funicolare). It is very chic to have an after-dinner drink in the famous Piazzetta the small square in the center of town. Higher up in the hills is another village called Anacapri (it can be reached by bus or cab) from which you can take a chairlift to the summit of one of the highest peaks on the island to enjoy the wonderful view over the sea and the Bay of Naples. Also in Anacapri is the beautiful Villa San Michele which houses the art collection of Swedish doctor Axel Munthe. Read his wonderful autobiography The Story of San Michele for a good introduction to the island and the special significance of the villa itself.
Visit and swim at the justly famous Blue Grotto and the Natural Arch and the Faraglioni (picturesque rock formations off the eastern tip of the island once used by the Romans as posts for beacons for sailors). It is also possible to tour the lesser-known grottoes of Capri by hiring a fishermanâs boat from Marina Piccola. There are no sandy beaches on Capri, there are thin rocky strips at Marina Piccola and at the Faraglioni where one can lay out on the rocks and swim safely, and a small stone beach called Bagni di Tiberio at walking distance from Marina Grande.
The people (called Capresi) have seen many tourists come and go but are still surprisingly nice and helpful. However the city council is not so friendly and has passed all a lot of laws aimed to make it difficult for day-trippers to visit Capri. So it is forbidden for a group (even 2-3 people) to stop in the street, there is a complex dressing code and also restriction on where and what you can eat. Once you are there, fortunately it is not so restrictive as it looks, but better inform on arrival on which the latest restrictions are. The best months to visit Capri are May, June and September. In July and August the island tends to be overwhelmed by tourists foreigners and Italians alike especially the huge tour groups. The island can be seen on a day trip from the mainland but two nights are preferable.
If youâ ve already been to Capri consider heading to its less known but equally captivating sister island Ischia. Both islands can be reached by ferry or hydrofoil from Naples or Sorrento.
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