Anacapri

Capri, known in Greek mythology as the isle of the sirens, was a favored resort of the Roman emperors. Most notoriously, the emperor Tiberius had his villa on the island, the location (supposedly) of debaucherous orgies. Those who displeased the emperor were flung to their deaths from the cliffs. The island is world-famous and is very touristy, especially when swamped with tourists in July & August, but other times of year it is calmer and more relaxing.

Tourist Information ( Anacapri ), ☏ +39 081-837-1524 . The office is on the pedestrian street near Piazza Vittorio, open Monday to Saturday 09:00-15:00, closed Sunday, often closed November to Easter. Related readings The isle of Capri is the setting for William Somerset Maugham's The Lotus Eater , a short story in which the Bostonian protagonist arrives in Capri on holiday, wherein he is so enchanted by the place that he abandons his job and decides to spend the rest of his life in leisure on the island. Villa San Michele in Anacapri is the former residence of Swedish physician Axel Munthe (1857-1949) and the main scenery of his memoir, The Story of San Michele . Among other stories, he describes his youthful discovery of the ruins (1874) out of which he eventually created the villa (1895). Pronunciation of the name Many brand names of products are pronounced kuh-PREE in English-speaking countries, but if you want to pronounce the name of the island like Italians do, you have to say KAH-pree .

By boat

Capri is reached in about 40 minutes by hydrofoil from the port of Ischia or Forio, docking at

Marina Grande on the north side of the island. There are also daily ferries from Naples (20 per day, €16, 40 minutes), Amalfi, Positano and from Sorrento (15 per day, €20, 30 minutes (Oct 2019)). Boats are operated by Caremar and SNAV .

For arriving in style, Capritime Boats specialises in water taxi direct transfers from Naples, Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast and Ischia to Capri. They also provide luxury full-day and half-day boat tours to the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Coast from Capri, tailor itineraries for cruise ship passengers docked in Sorrento, Capri, Naples and Amalfi and also offer special Capri and Ischia island boat excursions.

From Marina Grande, a funicular goes up to Capri Town , and boats leave for the Blue Grotto . The fourth store to the right of the funicular provides baggage storage for €2.50/day per bag, from 08:30-18:00. Tickets for buses, funicular, and return boats are for sale at kiosks, along with public toilets. The Tourist Information office offers €1 maps, open daily April to October 08:30-20:30, November to March 09:00-13:00 & 15:30-14:3

By foot: from the main harbour to the town up the hill leads a range of stairs. Stairs and walkways, mostly signposted, crisscross the island.

By funicolare: this mountain tram (same stuff as in Naples , Heidelberg , Barcelona and San Francisco ) connects the harbour with the town up the hill. €2 per trip (Oct 2019). Read also about the unified public transport ticket Campania Unico .

By taxi: The open top taxis are expensive, but if there are a group of you, worth considering. Haggle to get a price to ferry you around the island for the day (it won't be cheap - but very little on Capri is!).

By bus: Island buses are readily available to take you to the various areas of the island. They run on a schedule and cost €2 per ride (Oct 2019). Buses run from:

Marina Grande to Capri town (4 per hour) and then take bus to Anacapri (4 per hour) but the Capri to Anacapri bus gets crowded, so you could take a bus direct from Marina to Anacapri (2 per hour)

Anacapri Buses go to Capri (at least 4 per hour) and to the Blue Grotto

Blue Grotto

( Grotta Azzurra ).

The Blue Grotto is a beautiful cave at the water's edge with a tiny opening to the sea that opens and closes with the tide, used as a bath since the Roman times. The entrance is small and depending on the tide there is just enough space for only a small rowboat to get through. Dark at the entrance, one has to enter 20-30 yards and then turn around to view the beautiful sight of the light from the entrance flowing through the water lit turquoise from below by the sun. Hence the sight of the "Blue Grotto". You'll be amazed at the turquoise hues glimmering in the water and against the rocks. The grotto often closes due to tides and waves, and it may take a while for your boat to get in, with many other boats trying to do the same. It may also be advisable to check the tides beforehand to avoid disappointment. The trip on the passenger boat from Marina Grande to outside the Blue Grotto cavern costs about €18, then €14 per person (Oct 2019) for the rowboat to take you in through the tiny entrance which includes the entrance ticket to the cave and demands from the oarsman for a tip, with a round trip of about 1 to 3 hours. There are also cruises that

Capri is a place to do as little or as much as you like. The four cafes in the main square are the place to be seen in the evenings after the deluge of day trippers have left. Celebrities can occasionally be found sipping drinks there. High end shops line the streets if you feel the need for retail therapy.

Walk Take one of the public footpaths which let you reach, for instance, the "Arco Naturale" and other beautiful sights which the large majority of tourists will only see from their boat trips around the island. Some of these paths are very steep and you need to walk up and down long stairs sometimes. The map you can buy for a small fee at the main tourist office in the harbor shows most of the footpaths. However, it is difficult to get lost on such a small island.

Hike Nearly the entire perimeter of the island is accessible for hiking. Few people, except local fishers and hunters, take advantage of these beautiful natural trails. Several abandoned forts are found along the path and there are trails and paved descents that can take you all the way to the water's edge. This is a great way to explore the natural beauty of the island when the day tripping tourists flood the mor

Local restaurants and trattorias serve regional cuisine featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. Traditional dishes reflect the local culinary heritage.

Cafes and bars in the town centre serve coffee, wine, and local beverages. Regional wines and spirits are worth sampling.

Hotels, guesthouses, and bed-and-breakfast establishments offer accommodation. Advance booking is recommended during peak season.

Local shops offer regional products, handicrafts, and everyday necessities. Markets may be held weekly in the town square.

Nearby towns and natural attractions are within easy reach by car. Public transport connections are available to major cities in the region.