The Island of Capri
Let me set the scene here... I’ve been dreaming of an island location where the food is incredible and the culture overflows with love. Spoiler alert, we found one. The challenge is now for me to summarize this in an informative guide without just going on and on out of passion from the fantastic stop on the magnificent island of Capri.
In my initial research, someone told me that Capri is a touristy location, and I would better spend that time elsewhere or at most on a quick day trip. This bit of advice couldn’t be more wrong. Capri is a large enough island that it cannot adequately be explored in a day, much less two. Why skim the surface of something this wonderful when you can immerse yourself in all that it has to offer?
We opted for a 2-day stop in Capri because of our trip flow. I now know that I should have spent 3-days there! My thought was to leave Capri and spend the final night in Naples for a smooth departure. Now that I know how easy it is, I should have spent 3-nights in Capri, then a ferry to Naples on, and a taxi to the airport on the final day. There was NO need to spend that night in Naples!
Grab a pen and paper, hit play on this Spotify playlist, and start plotting out your trip NOW! Save this link and trust me on this guide because Capri is incredible and I’m already missing it and many of these beautiful experiences!
Related Posts
Positano and The Amalfi Coast ⋆ Staying at Casa Buonocore in Positano ⋆ A Visit to Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, and Naples ⋆ The Naples Pizza Battle ⋆ The Path of the Gods ⋆ Gastronomic Trekking on the Amalfi Coast ⋆ Exploring the Cinque Terre with a Local ⋆ Portofino ⋆ The Italian Riviera ⋆ Parma ⋆ Modena ⋆ Bologna
The Island of Capri
Related Links: Staying at Capri Tiberio Palace - Coming Soon
As you know, we've been properly unwinding but quite active in Positano and along the Amalfi Coast. Do you remember when I mentioned that this trip was planned to create a setting and activities where my bride could unwind from long hours at the office and a busy first quarter? Let's just say that my intentions were noble, but the execution of trying to create various experiences directly conflicts with the ability to unwind and get her the headspace she needs. Capri couldn't have been at a better time! We stayed for just 2-days so were unable to get up to Anacapri. There’s only so much time in the day, and certain things were a priority, so we didn’t want to spend too much time getting up and down from Anacapri. I suppose I have to go back so we can provide advice on that!
How to Get Here
We departed Positano via Positano Jet (boat) and arrived in Capri in just 30-minutes! We came to clear skies, warm weather, crystal clear water, and a busy port! You immediately know you've arrived because you see the rows of Capri taxis when you get off the boat! These are unique to the island and embody that fun attitude that Capri exudes. This area of Capri is bustling and is a primary reason for people giving Capri the label of 'touristy.' It's so much more, though! Hop into a Capri taxi and ride up into the heart of Capri. The ride is fun and just 20 euro. You'll arrive at the alleys of stores and beautiful cafes. The shopping here is fantastic, and it has such a different personality than many of the villages where we've recently been. It's very 'Capri'!
Where To Stay
Capri Tiberio Palace, Via Croce, 11-15, 80076 Capri, Italy
My search in Capri quickly led me to Capri Tiberio Palace due to its proximity to the heart of Capri. It’s just steps away from the bustling scene of the famous city yet just far enough to be peaceful and serene. As I mentioned, this voyage was planned as a getaway for my bride, who had been working very long hours as well as for my birthday. It was the perfect excuse to go a bit overboard. This ticked that box!
No, it’s not cheap, but it’s incredible. Like, you’ll never forget this stay incredible. If you plan to spend a bit of time at your hotel relaxing and/or pampering yourself by the pool or in the spa, this is your spot. Indulge a bit because the bit higher expense is well worth it!
What To Do
Enjoy a Boat Tour
Hiring a boat is an absolute must on your first visit to Capri. It’s also a likely activity for future visits because it’s so fun and relaxing. We absolutely loved our time with Vincenzo Capri Boat Tours. We were able to see all of the Grottos including Blue which was just incredible. After all of the hiking this made for an extremely relaxing late morning adventure!
Explore a Bit
Go see amazing sights like Villa Jovis, Arco Naturale, and Villa Lysis. It’s all an uphill but gradual walk with sights worth the effort!
Shopping
Just like Positano and Amalfi, there’s absolutely no shortage of places to shop! Capri certainly has a vibe and it’s wonderful. Picture crisp linens with pops of color like blue and yellow. There are stores and stores of hats, dresses, shoes, and leather.
Visit Anacapri
We didn’t have the opportunity to get to Anacapri but will in the future. If you have time, be sure to take the chairlift up to Monte Solaro. The full panoramic views from this old fortress are amazing. The atmosphere is said to be even more laid back and quiet.
Where To Eat
Da Paolino Capri - Via Palazzo a Mare 11
If there’s only one piece of advice you take from this guide, for your sake I hope you dine at Da Paolini. I recently read a BuzzFeed article on the top 15 places you should eat at in your life - this should be on it. I had seen a few pictures online and read great reviews, but photos cannot encapsulate this experience. We had an absolutely phenomenal lunch at Da Paolini. The outdoor dining area is shaded by the rows of lemon trees. We had the Grilled Mozzarella on Lemon Leaves, Tomato Mozzarella with Basil Salad, Spaghetti Paolini, and the Ravioli Capresi in Lemon Sauce. The use of lemon in the food and the fantastic local wine combined for an unforgettable experience! I will return and can imagine dinner under the lemon trees will be even more memorable!
Salumeria da Aldo - Via Cristofor Colombo 26
If you like sandwiches, you’ll LOVE this! Freshly baked bread, classic Italian meats, and cheeses, delicious olive oil, tomato, and spices. It’s simple but just so amazing and one of the best sandwiches I’ve had. I plotted our itinerary, so the boat arrived in Capri just before lunch!
Da Tonino - Via Dentecale 15
As noted by Michelin, “You will need a bit of patience not get here, as it’s quite a walk from the center, but it’s well worth it.” I concur. The walk was only 10-15 minutes from our hotel, but it was definitely worth it. They feature one of the largest wine selections that I’ve seen in a long time. The menu is full of incredible, locally sourced options.
Jacky Bar - Via Croce, 11-15
This wonderful cocktail bar is located up the stairs and left of the Capri Tiberio Palace entrance. Gioacchino Coppola and Gianluca Amato are barmen at this location and are amazing with their creations. Since we had a big lunch, we opted to skip dinner and have cocktails and snacks on our final night. They serve a twist on the Negroni that is delicious - delicious enough for a few! For us, nothing is better than ending a holiday with great food or cocktails and meeting wonderful people like Gioacchino and Gianluca!
Buonocore Gelateria - Via Vittorio Emanuele, 35
Because it’s Capri and Gelato is a must. The tiramisu gelato in their famous waffle cone is fantastic! They also have incredible baked goods so if you are in the mood for that, skip the gelato line and head into the cafe.
I'm a US expat, blogging photographer and world-traveler who may or may not like tequila a bit too much.