Once you look past its high-end restaurants and designer boutiques, you’ll find that this idyllic Italian island has beautiful mountain trails, cobalt blue grottos and elegant villas dripping in wisteria. Situated just off the Sorento Peninsula on the southern side of the Gulf of Naples, the island’s hidden gems are best discovered on foot during one of our tours to Capri.
Everywhere you look, seriously stunning scenes lie before you with precipitous cliffs that plummet into the bluest of waters and uninterrupted views from the famous Path of the Gods. It’s no wonder Capri has inspired illustrious artists and writers for centuries.
While on our Highlights of the Amalfi Coast trip, you’ll spend a day exploring all this enchanting island has to offer. Whether its visiting one of the island’s best-known natural sites, the Blue Grotto; hiking up to the remains of Villa Jovis, the former home of the Roman emperor Tiberius; or admiring natural rock arches and the famous Faraglioni rock stacks along the coastline. There’s an abundance of rich heritage and jaw-dropping natural beauty to discover on our Capri trips.
Capri also boasts one of the finest foodie scenes in the world. Tuck into a traditional Caprese salad made with the largest, juiciest tomatoes you’ve ever seen or sample a delicious seafood linguine in a beachfront restaurant, all nicely washed down with a limoncello, of course.
But if it’s historic buildings that excite you, the 16th-century Santa Sofia church is a must-see site on Capri trips. This Baroque-style Catholic church can be found in the centre of Anacapri and gives you a fascinating insight into this major religion that dominates the island.
The beauty of the Bay of Naples has been enchanting travellers for centuries, with visitors falling in love with its dramatic coastline, glimmering seas, and pastel-coloured towns.
Ride the Cable Car up Monte Solario: Dramatically rising up almost 2,000ft from the Bay of Naples, Mont Solaro is the highest point on the island of Capri. If you want to witness some of the best views in Italy, take the cable car from Piazza della Vittoria in Anacapri to the summit where you’ll find unparalleled panoramas of Capri and beyond. Alternatively, you could hike to the top, but it will take around 1.5 hours, however, you’ll be rewarded with phenomenal views that make it worthwhile.
Explore Capri Town: Equally as seductive as the natural scenery that surrounds it, Capri Town oozes charm with its swanky boutiques, pavement cafes and bustling Piazzetta where the rich and famous hang out. As you pass by elegant, whitewashed villas, the gentle scent of wisteria and bougainvillaea wafts on the breeze while narrow alleyways lead you through a quieter, more authentic side of the town. Roman Villa Jovis, the former residence of Emperor Tiberius, should also be on your list of things to see in Capri. But if you can’t wait to splash some cash, you’ll find plenty of high-end boutiques and gift shops to explore.
Visit the Gardens of Augustus: Providing an oasis of calm, away from the hustle and bustle of Capri Town, the Gardens of Augustus is a natural paradise teetering on the clifftops. The 180-degree views from here stretch out across the Bay of Naples and are among some of the best on the island. The botanical gardens are made up of ancient monuments and seafront terraces that erupt with colour from ornamental plants and flowers. One of the most notable monuments here was sculpted by Giacomo Manzu, which was commissioned by Italy’s Soviet Embassy in memory of Vladimir Lenin. This is a fascinating piece of history that’s worth visiting while you’re here.
Take a Boat Ride to the Blue Grotto: Although there are several grottos dotted throughout the waters of Capri, only the Blue Grotto, or Grotto Azzura as it’s known locally, is accessible by boat. It’s also the most famous and is shrouded in curious legends. The Romans once believed that sea nymphs occupied the Blue Grotto, and its natural beauty draws visitors here from across the globe. As sunlight beams through from outside, it casts an intensely blue sheen that lights up the inside of the cavern, creating an ethereal glow.
Sail Around the Faraglioni: Vying for your attention as you look out across the bay, the Faraglioni is a trio of imposing sea stacks that rise from the water just off the southern coast of Capri. Individually named as Stella, Faraglione di Mezzo, and Faraglione di Fuori, each rock is home to the unique podarcis sicula coerulea, a blue lizard that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. The Faraglione di Mezzo is the most distinctive of the three sea stacks, and the subject for many a photographer, as it features an arch-shaped cavity, just big enough for a small boat to sail through.
This trip was an outstanding experience as well as a great value. For me it was the perfect combination of engaging conversation and camaraderie, fascinating destinations, and relaxation. We did and saw a lot, but had time to explore on our own as well as just relax. The variety of the itinerary was also a plus – visiting charming towns and historic sites, enjoying nature, and experiencing “la dolce vita”. The family-run hotel Due Torri was perfect for this kind of trip. Clean, comfortable, and most of all friendly. They made us welcome as though we were in their home, and shared laughs and kindness. We met their little dog and also “nonna” (grandma) who had an apartment there. The food was absolutely excellent, completely five-star. The leisurely four-course dinners were too large for most of us, but varied and always most delicious. We felt bad not cleaning every plate – bring an appetite! We particularly enjoyed being in the kitchen for two nights, helping make pizza and watching the chef prepare our dinner. The hospitality was outstanding. Breakfast was ample, and there’s a nice bar for casual drinks as well before or after dinner. Excellent house wine for only 3 Euro/glass!
Overall, one of the best Exodus holidays we have been on. The good weather (in October), of course, helped, as it might not have been so pleasurable had it rained all the time! A good itinerary, covering all the key areas we wanted to visit, and a superb, friendly, family run hotel with a great atmosphere.
