Capri
- Capri – the island much sung about with view of the harbour Marina Grande.
Dream destination in the Gulf of Naples
The extraordinarily beautiful rocky island about five kilometres off the mainland is the greatest tourist draw in the Gulf of Naples. Every day, up to 15 000 day-trippers are drawn to the 10 km² island by a fantastic landscape, picturesque views of the Gulf of Naples, architecturally interesting villas and the world famous Blue Grotto.
In spite of this rush of visitors, most of them concentrating on the standard program of Blue Grotto, Axel Munthe’s Villa San Michele and Piazza Umberto in Capri Town, large parts of Capri have been and are spared these crowds. Those who want to discover this more peaceful and authentic side of the island, should, however, plan on more than just a day-trip. It is best to explore this island with its communes of Capri and Anacapri on foot, off the tourist tracks.
- The rocky island in the Gulf of Naples strikes you with its wonderful landscape and turquoise blue sea. (Photo: Enit)
Beauties of nature and cultural sights
An extremely beautiful landscape – that is Capri, divided into two parts by Monte Solaro rising up to 589 metres. In the east, you will find the mundane town of Capri with its harbour Marina Grande, where all visitors set foot on the island, and its famous piazzetta which is always full of life.
Anacapri to the east appears incomparably more provincial and rural, but no less charming. The two communes are connected, amongst others, by a stairway hewn out of the rock and of ancient origin, Scala Fenicia, 800 steep steps taking you from Chiesa San Costanzo at Capri up to Anacapri.
- Fishing boats at the harbour of Capri.
Throughout the island, you will find scenic hiking trails and secluded bathing bays. Capri’s landmark, the Faraglioni off the island, are impressive rock formations rising up to one hundred metres above the sea. It is, however, „Grotta Azzurra“, the Blue Grotto, in the northwest of Capri, which the island is world famous for. Since its discovery in 1826 by the poet August Kopisch from Breslau, this wonder of nature shimmering in fascinating blue has attracted visitors from all over the world.
Besides beauties of nature, there are also historic sights to be admired at Capri. For example, Villa Jovis, once one of the villas of Emperor Tiberius, who made the island his seat of government around 26 AD. Well worth seeing and partly very interesting concerning their architecture are the villas built on the island by men of letters and artists, such as Axel Munthe’s „Villa San Michele“ or Curzio Malaparte’s „Casa come me“.
Travelling to Capri
Capri can be reached by ferry or hydrofoil, for example from Naples or Sorrento. During the summer months, there are additional connections from Positano, Amalfi, Salerno und Castellamare del Golfo.
