The best things to do in Capri
Capri is honestly one of those places that just blows you away. I mean, I've been to a lot of beautiful destinations, but there's something special about this little Italian island that really got to me. When people ask me what to do in Capri Italy, I always tell them it's the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
I recently spent five nights there with my partner, and wow - what a trip! We had the perfect mix of chilling out and exploring. The island's tiny, so you can pretty much walk everywhere (which we did, because we love walking), but don't let the size fool you - there's so much to see and do.
So today, I'm going to be talking about the best things to do in Capri, based on our recent trip where we had a really relaxing, but also adventurous time.
Arriving in Capri and Where to Stay
When you get to Capri, most people will take the Naples to Capri Ferry or a water taxi. There are a few areas that you can stay in. (If you're also planning to explore other parts of southern Italy, you might want to check out my guides for Naples or Sicily.)
You've got Capri Centre - This is where you're going to find most of the restaurants and places to eat. Also Marina Grande, which is very close to the centre of Capri. Then on the left-hand side, you've got Anacapri.
Now, they're all fairly close to each other. The island is pretty small. You could actually walk from side to side, but it really depends, you know, how fit you are, what kind of traveller you are. My partner and I walked.
So to just give you some perspective, Anacapri, which is on the west side of the island, is about 40 minutes away from Marina Grande (walk), which is near the port, and then you've got the centre of Capri, which is about 10 to 15 minutes walk away southeast from Marina Grande. In total, from Anacapri to the actual centre, it will take just under an hour.
Now, if you don't want to walk, you can always rent a car, take a taxi, or take a bus.
I had quite a great time in Capri. Here are my favourite things to do in Capri
The Blue Grotto
So my number one best thing I did in Capri was a boat tour to see the famous Blue Grotto. The blue grotto goes about 50 metres into the actual cliff itself, and it's about 150 metres deep. It's one of those caves that has a beautiful blue and emerald light to it, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience.
It was actually used as a swimming hole during the Roman times for Emperor Tiberius when he moved to Capri in 27 AD. Back then, the grotto had statues inside it. Now they're no longer there, and you can see them in a museum. However, there are some broken statues at the bottom of the grotto that some divers have told us about. We're not able to see them, you're only allowed to go in the boat and not jump out. I would highly advise booking a boat tour, either a half-day one or a 2-hour one.
My partner and I chose the 2-hour one. We love taking boat tours in general, and looking at Capri from the actual water itself was incredible, and why it was our best thing to do in Capri. Most tours will show you all the other sites, caves, and the Faraglioni. If you're wondering what is there to do in Capri that's truly unique, this boat experience is it.
Oh, I forgot to mention there's there is a cost to enter the Blue Grotto. It was 18 euros per person when we went. It might have gone up.
Anacapri
My next item on what to do in Capri is going to the town of Anacapri. Anacapri is a little bit higher. on the slopes of Monte Solaro, which I'll get to a little bit later. There are narrow streets, where you can find all these boutique shops and other kinds of workshops. It's great to spend some time there, and you can look at all the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Lunch / dinner recommendation in Anacapri: La Terrazza di Lucullo. It has a fantastic view of the ocean, and it's even better for dinner, going there for sunset.
Villa San Michele
Go ahead and visit Villa San Michele. It's a museum of archeological finds , most of it is Roman, Etruscan, and even Egyptian. Some of the things that you can find are parts of fragments of marble, Roman floors, columns , and in the garden, there's a Greek tomb and a sphinx. In terms of the pricing , when we went, it was 12 euros for adults. If you have young kids under 10 years old, it is free for them.
Chiesa San Michele
Was you're still in Anacapri, go and visit the Chiesa San Michele. This is a Roman Catholic Church that was built in 1719 with a stunning Baroque style. One of the highlights was the floor that was the work of Leonardo Chiaiese, and I don't want to give away too much, but in the centre , there's an angel with a flaming sword, and that's all I'm gonna say.
Go visit it!
Monte Solaro
So if you're close to Anacapri, pop over and go to the summit of Monte Solaro. This is the highest point of Capri, and you can access it via a chairlift. You can also walk if you're feeling up for it.
We love walking and exploring everything, and by walking, you can see all the various flora. They say there are over 900 species of vegetation.
You may also see a lot of birds, even falcons, on there, a local told us. We saw a lot of birds, though, but no falcons, unfortunately. The elevation is 589m. If you don't want to walk, take the chair lift. It takes just 13 minutes for a round trip, another incredible way to get up there. The views are incredible!
However, make sure to check the timings.
I like to go sightseeing early in the morning when I go for my walks, especially in Italy, as it's so hot! When I walked past the chair lift sign, it said that it's open at 9:30 and closed after 4 and 5 pm, depending on the season.
The cost when I checked was 14 euros up and down or 11 euros one way. Sometimes when I go to these high points, I just go up by walking or down on the chair, so that's a good option.
Gardens of Augustus
The next best thing to do in Capri was to visit the gardens of Augustus. These were built in the early 20th century. When you get there, there is a 180° panoramic view of the island. You can see Monte Solaro, which you might have just walked. Marina Piccola in the south and the Faraglioni.
The cost. There is a cost, and it was €2.50. For the kids, they were free. Double-check when you get there, but it's not that expensive.
Cooking Class
Next, if you have time during a trip and we did because we stayed for a few days, is going to a cooking class . I try and go to cooking classes whenever I visit different towns within Italy, and I can honestly say it's one it was one of the best things to do in Capri. I went to one, and I'll put the link below, where I went to a workshop.
It was about three hours, so quite a long time, but super worth it, where they taught us traditional cooking. It was a private workshop with a wine pairing with locally sourced products. They even had some beautiful desserts, and I would go again.
I don't want to tell you too much about it. I'll let you discover it, but hopefully you can replicate some recipes once you get home.
Piazza di Capri
When people ask me what there is to do in Capri, another recommendation is simple, go to the centre to Piazza di Capri. This is famous.
You can see all the various restaurants , go to the bars, and it's absolutely beautiful during the summer, pulling up a chair and having a spritz or another cocktail on this beautiful island.
Food reccos
Breakfast - Pasticceria E Gelateria S. Nicola - Great place for a cake, cannoli, or a sweet treat in the morning. No website, just find it on Google Maps.
Lunch - Pescheria Le Botteghe. Your go-to fish & seafood in Capri! It's not all that on the inside. Don't let that deter you, as the fish is so fresh.
Dinner - Cinquantaduecento Capri, we actually dined here a couple of times. Check out the ragu & the gnocchi dishes
Beaches in Capri
I forgot to mention these. It wasn't all just walking around. One of my other best things to do in Capri is to relax at the beach,
Beach 1
So just north, right next to Marina Grande, is this awesome beach club Bagni Tiberio. It's a pebble beach, but you can go ahead and rent some lounges there. The water is fantastic for swimming; it's very clean.
When we went, it was 30 euros per person , and you can also reserve it. So reserve it in advance, as it gives you a better chance of being oceanfront with nobody in front of you. We didn't get to be there, but the staff told us this.
They have a cocktail bar and snack bar. You can sit at a restaurant that overlooks the ocean. This was absolutely fantastic for lunch with my partner. In terms of getting there , you can walk down, or you can pay a small fee and go on the boat from the actual port itself, and it lands on the beach. It's a nice way to travel, but we ended up walking
Beach 2
Marina Piccola. If you're looking for another beach down south is the Spiaggia di Marina Piccola. The beaches aren't what Capri's known for, as most of them are all pebbly, but this is a second option. It's a little bit more crowded, but there are chairs; just get there early. The water is crystal clear and the views of the super yachts!
What to do in Capri for a day
Someone once asked me what you can do in Capri for a day; you can't do it all, unfortunately. I would say go walking, spend most of your time in Anacapri, go to Monte Solaro, Villa San Michele, and Chiesa San Michele. Then go to the Gardens of Augustus and visit the Piazza di Capri. If you have two days there, I definitely recommend going to the Blue Grotto and just taking a bit more time to walk around.
Wrapping Up My Capri Adventure
So there you have it - my absolute favorite things to do in Capri! Honestly, five days flew by so quickly, and I could have easily stayed longer. This little island really surprised me with how much it had to offer.
The Blue Grotto was definitely the highlight for us (hence why it's number one on my list!), but I loved the mix of everything - the walking, the amazing food, those incredible views, and just the whole vibe of the place. Even the cooking class was such a fun experience, and we're still trying to recreate those recipes at home!
Got any questions about the best things to do in Capri? Want more specific tips about anything I mentioned? Just send me a message or leave a comment below - I'd love to help you plan your trip!
FAQ'S for what to do in Capri
What not to miss in Capri?
Based on my trip, the absolute must-dos are the Blue Grotto boat tour (seriously, book this!), Monte Solaro for those incredible views, and wandering around Anacapri's narrow streets. Don't skip the Gardens of Augustus either - that 180° view is worth the €2.50 entrance fee. If you have time, the cooking class was honestly one of my favorite experiences. These really are the best things to do in Capri Italy, in my opinion.
What is Capri Italy best known for?
Capri's famous for the Blue Grotto - that stunning cave with the most amazing blue and emerald light. It's also known for being Emperor Tiberius's retreat back in 27 AD, the dramatic Faraglioni rock formations, and just being this super chic Mediterranean destination that attracts celebrities and travelers from all over the world.
Is Capri a walkable city?
Absolutely! The whole island is pretty small - you can walk from one side to the other if you're up for it. We walked everywhere during our five days there. From Marina Grande to Capri center is only 10-15 minutes, and to Anacapri is about 40 minutes. There are buses and taxis if you prefer, but walking lets you see so much more.
Is Capri very expensive?
It's definitely not budget travel! The beach club we went to (Bagni Tiberio) was 30 euros per person, the Blue Grotto entrance was 18 euros each, and dining can add up. But there are ways to save - like walking instead of taking taxis, and some attractions like Villa San Michele are only 12 euros. The cooking class was pricey but so worth it. If you're looking for luxury accommodation, check out the best luxury hotels in Capri for some amazing options.
How do I get to Blue Grotto?
I'd highly recommend booking a boat tour - we did a 2-hour one and it was perfect. The tour takes you around the island and includes the Blue Grotto stop. You can't just swim into the grotto (trust me, they don't let you!), so the boat tour is really the way to go. Just remember there's that 18 euro entrance fee on top of your tour cost.
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