Capri Travel Guide

It's said Tiberius used to hurl those who offended him off the cliff where his Villa Jovic sits but such a gruesome story doesn't stop today's tourists from visiting the dramatic isle of Capri. It's only just over 10 square kilometres in all but Capri's beautiful natural landscape - the blue grotto, the Faraglione rocks, the island lookouts - along with her imperial history and artistic appeal are special attractions too great to miss. If you can afford to stay overnight, when all the day-trippers leave, it's even better.

Top 10 of what to see
1. Capri's piazzetta
2. The blue grotto
3. Emperor Augustus' gardens
4. Chairlift to Mount Solaro
5. The Faraglione rocks
6. Villa Jovis built by Tiberius
7. The Phoenician steps from Marina Grande to Anacapri
8. Punta Carena lighthouse
9. A walk along the Via Krupp
10. Axel Munthe museum

Events

December
Considering Capri's international celebrity appeal, it's opportune to visit the island during its annual film festival, where chances are you might just spot one of the visiting stars. The festival features premier films, Italian classics as well as talks with invited guests. It's an international event in an exclusive location, where more than ever Capri's piazzetta is the place to see and be seen.

August
For a more traditional celebration of Capri's past, the Folklore Festival of the first week of August features music and dance in the island's public squares but especially centred around the island's second town, Anacapri.

Typical Food

Salad and squid soup
It's hard to go past the insalata caprese, an Italian salad of sliced mozzarella, plum tomatoes and basil, when talking about Capri's typical dishes. The salad is named for the island after all, but it was actually only introduced in the early 20th century. More ancient dishes used the leftovers of local fishing catch, anchovies and squid, and while seafood of all types is now enjoyed in Capri's restaurants, one of the original plates was chickpea and squid soup.

Cake alla caprese
Torta caprese is a typical cake Capri style made with chocolate and almonds or walnuts. It's usually served with a sprinkling of icing sugar on top and variations use a dash of liqueur to the mix.

Limoncello
Limoncello is undeniable Capri's cool summer drink. Served chilled and often in glasses crisp from the freezer, this sweet lemon liqueur is appealing for the flavour of those famous Mediterranean lemons and for its refreshing effect on hot Mediterranean days.

Typical products
Capri has a typical range of southern Italian artisanal products in its boutique island stores, including art, ceramics and Italian fashion. Perhaps most unique, however, is the island's production of leather sandals as well as its perfume factories.

On the trail of a scent
Capri island has a number of exclusive perfume factories and one story of the island's perfumed past recounts how, in 1380 A.C, the local prior created a magnificent flower display for a visiting queen. The water for the flowers wasn't changed over three days so that the prior noticed an unusual smell captured by the ageing water. This flower water became Capri's first perfume and the monks' original recipes were later rediscovered and became the base for today's Carthusia perfume laboratory in operation on Capri.

How to arrive

Capri is an island on the southern tip of the Bay of Naples and must be reached by ferry, boat or helicopter.
By Plane: The Naples port for ferries to Capri is 20 minutes from Naples Capodichino Airport. There is also a heliport on Capri.
By Car: Head to Naples port via the A1 freeway from Rome, the A16 from Bari or the A30 from the direction of Salerno. It's best not to take your car onto the island however. Many areas are pedestrian only and are well served by public transport.
Other: The key ports close to Capri are Porto di Massa and Porto Beverello in Naples as well as Sorrento port. Many other ports in the area also provide day-trips to the island. The largest train station in the area is Napoli Centrale. Sorrento and other train stations along the Amalfi coast are closer but not as big and you may have to change trains at Naples or Salerno.