ErKaNi Sorrento
Visiting Capri
Capri is a beautiful island of dramatic cliffs, sea caves, and sweeping Mediterranean views, with countless panoramic spots tucked between its lanes, terraces and coastal paths. Most sights sit around the two main towns of Capri Town and hilltop Anacapri, with famous viewpoints, gardens and historic landmarks spread between them. The island’s signature natural stop, the Blue Grotto, lies just outside Anacapri and is visited separately. Long loved from Roman times to today, Capri is especially busy from April to October, so having a simple plan helps you make the most of your visit.
Important: If you’re visiting for the day, always allow plenty of time to get back down to the port for your return ferry, as queues for buses and the funicular can build quickly in the afternoon
Getting there & Getting around
Getting to Capri from Sorrento
To visit Capri, you need to take a ferry from the Port of Sorrento. A very useful website for checking ferry companies and timetables is Naples Bay Ferries. It shows routes, times, and operators in one place. https://www.naplesbayferry.com/
Top tips:
Buy one‑way ferry tickets instead of return tickets. This gives you flexibility if plans change.
Try not to take the last ferry back to Sorrento. If it is cancelled or full, you may need to return via Naples or stay overnight on the island.
Getting Around Capri
Once you arrive at the port of Capri (Marina Grande), getting around is easy.
From the port you can:
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Take a public bus to Capri Town or Anacapri
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Use the funicular to go directly up to Capri Town
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Take a private taxi for a more comfortable option (make sure you check prices first)
Capri Town
Capri Town is the lively, postcard perfect heart of the island. Expect narrow lanes, café terraces, stylish boutiques, and beautiful views at almost every turn. This is the classic “Capri” most people imagine – glamorous, busy, and often dotted with designer shops and, if you’re lucky, a celebrity or two.
How to get there:
From the port, take either the funicular, public bus or taxi.
From Anacapri, Capri Town is easily reached by bus.
La Piazzetta (Piazza Umberto I) - The island’s famous little square, always buzzing with life and perfect for people watching. It’s where Capri wakes up, pauses, and shows off. You’ll find it just a few steps from the funicular exit.
Gardens of Augustus & Via Krupp - Terraced gardens with sweeping views of the Faraglioni and the dramatic curves of Via Krupp. It’s an easy and rewarding stop, about a 15 minute walk through the streets of Capri Town.
Certosa di San Giacomo - A peaceful 14th‑century monastery tucked just behind the Gardens of Augustus. It’s one of the oldest buildings on the island, with cloisters, quiet courtyards and rotating art exhibitions. A calm break from the busy centre.
Belvedere di Tragara - A panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Faraglioni rock formations, reached by a mostly flat, scenic walk through quiet residential lanes. One of the island’s most elegant and peaceful lookouts. Follow signs for Tragara from Capri Town (around 15–20 minutes on foot).
Arco Naturale (Natural Arch) - A dramatic natural rock arch formed over thousands of years on the Capri Town side of the island. The walk to reach it is scenic but includes steps and uneven paths, so it’s best for guests comfortable with light uphill walking. You can reach the arch on foot from Capri Town by following the signs through quiet lanes and shaded stretches.
Pizzolungo Path - A scenic coastal walk on the Capri Town side of the island, linking the Natural Arch with Belvedere di Tragara. The route has beautiful sea views and quiet stretches, but expect uneven steps and some short climbs, so it’s best for guests comfortable with light walking. You can reach it on foot from Capri Town — either via the Natural Arch or the flat walk towards Tragara
Villa Jovis - The ruins of Emperor Tiberius’ cliff‑top palace. It’s a steady uphill walk from Capri town, but the views and sense of history make it worthwhile. The site is large, open‑air and atmospheric.
Belvedere di Punta Cannone - A short walk from Capri town to a viewpoint overlooking Marina Piccola, the Faraglioni and the whole southern coastline. It’s one of the easiest “hidden” viewpoints to reach.
Scala Fenicia (Phoenician Steps) - An ancient stone staircase that links Anacapri with Marina Grande, the island’s main port. It’s a steep and historic route with around 900 uneven steps, best suited to guests comfortable with a sustained downhill walk. The easiest way to experience it is to start in Anacapri and follow the steps down towards the sea.
Anacapri
Set higher on the island, Anacapri is known for its wide open panoramic views, with whitewashed houses, broad streets, and lively piazzas. It is just as popular as Capri Town but more spread out and especially valued for its elevated viewpoints and sweeping island scenery.
How to get there:
From the port, take a bus or taxi up to Anacapri via the famous “Mamma Mia Road”, a winding cliffside route with dramatic views over the harbour. Anacapri can also be reached easily by bus from Capri Town.
Monte Solaro - The highest point on the island, offering sweeping 360° views across Capri, the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast on clear days. The summit is open and panoramic, with space to walk around and enjoy different viewpoints. Most guests reach it by taking the chairlift from Piazza Vittoria, which takes around 12 minutes each way. Allow 45–60 minutes in total for the round‑trip chairlift ride and time at the top. Those who prefer to walk can follow the marked hiking path that starts just below Piazza Vittoria and climbs steadily up to the summit
Villa San Michele - A historic house and garden created by Swedish physician Axel Munthe, now open as a museum. The villa combines art, architecture, and peaceful terraces with one of the most striking viewpoints on the island, overlooking the Bay of Naples and the coastline below.
Access: it’s a short uphill walk from central Anacapri along Viale Axel Munthe.
Parco Astarita - A free public park at the far end of Anacapri with dramatic cliff‑edge terraces and wide sea views. The walk from the centre of Anacapri takes around 25–30 minutes along quiet residential lanes and is gently uphill in places, but not difficult. Once inside the park, the paths are easy and the viewpoints take about 20–30 minutes to explore. Allow around 1.5 hours in total for the round‑trip walk and visit. Approximate distance: 4 km there and back.
Punta Carena Lighthouse (Faro di Punta Carena) A wide, open coastal area at the far edge of Anacapri with big sea views and a relaxed, unhurried feel. It’s easy to reach by taking the Faro bus from the Anacapri bus terminal (about 10 minutes), or you can walk there in 40–50 minutes along a straightforward 3 km road route. Once you arrive, you can wander along the waterfront paths, sit by the rocks, and enjoy the open coastline far from the busy centre.
The Blue Grotto is Capri’s most iconic natural sight and one of the most memorable experiences on the island. This small sea cave is famous for its extraordinary electric‑blue light, created when sunlight enters through an underwater opening and illuminates the cave from below. On a good day, the colour is truly unforgettable.
How Visiting Works (Important to Know)
No matter how you reach the grotto: •The Blue Grotto is only open when calm sea conditions allow, and access may close at short notice •Visitors enter the cave in small wooden rowboats •You will be asked to lie flat for a few seconds as the boat passes through the low entrance •The experience inside lasts just a few minutes, but it is calm, safe, and carefully managed by licensed local boatmen
How to get there
Option 1 - By Boat from Marina Grande (most popular option)
Boat tours leave from the main port of Marina Grande and travel along Capri’s coastline to the entrance of the grotto. At the cave, you transfer into the traditional rowing boats used for entry.
This option is very scenic and avoids steps or walking.
Option 2 - By Bus via Anacapri (land option)
You can also reach the Blue Grotto by bus from Anacapri. Buses usually stop at the Grotta Azzurra parking area, from where you walk down to the cave entrance.
Good to know:
The bus may stop at different points, so expect a walk of 50–400 metres and around 50–75 steps down to the sea and back up again. Access is always by small rowing boat.
Useful Links
Transport
Public Busses Sorrento: www.sitasudtrasporti.it:
Funicular Capri–Marina Grande: https://www.capri.com/en/funicular-bus-schedule
Capri & Anacapri Public Buses (SIPPIC): https://www.capri.com/en/funicular-bus-schedule