Capri

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).

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.

• 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 & 15:30-14:30. The Bar Augusto has internet access from 06:00-20:00.

• 🌍 Villa Jovis. Splendid residence of the Emperor Tiberius, start from Piazzetta Umberto I and turn into Via delle Botteghe, continuing straight on through Via Fuorlovado, Via Croce and, finally, Via Tiberio. After visiting the villa, you could dedicate some time to other attractions in the vicinity, such as the Church of Santa Maria del Soccorso, the Cave of Tiberius and the Lighthouse Tower. 

• 🌍 Church of San Michele Arcangelo (in town centre). Daily 09:00-16:45. This church is a very nice example of baroque style on the island. Even though the church is nice by itself, the prize is the tile floor which is a mosaic depicting the expulsion of Adam & Eve from paradise, by artist Leonardo Chiaiese. You'll have to walk on wooden planks on the sides. €1. 
• 🌍 Villa San Michele. Daily 09:00-17:00. Swedish physician Axel Munthe built it at the turn of the 20th century on the grounds of one of Tiberius's ancient villas. The gardens have stupendous views of the island, the Sorrentine Peninsula and Mount Vesuvius. The villa and its grounds sit on a ledge at the top of the so-called Phoenician Steps (Scala Fenicia in Italian), built between Anacapri and Capri very probably by the first Greek settlers (the stairs are very steep and not for everybody). The good doctor wrote a book about the building of the villa and it makes good reading (The Story of San Michele). You'll find the book in many languages at the villa gift store for about €10. The villa makes a very nice visit, and along the road to get here you'll find nice stores that sell limoncello that is quite good (especially cold). €5. 
• Capri Diorama in a courtyard near the Tourist Information office, is a large, painted model of the island. Avoid it between 14:00 & 15:00, when cruise ship crowds deluge it, on Via G. Orlandi, €3, open daily 09:00-19:30, closed November to march. Telephone: 081-837-1169.
• The Monte Solaro Chairlift goes up to the 1,900 ft (580 m) high summit of Mt. Solaro, with a commanding view at the top of the entire Naples Bay. It takes 15 minutes up or down, €9 round-trip, €7 one way (you can hike for 40 minutes down from the summit), open daily in summer 09:30-17:00, last run down at 17:30, November to March last run at 15:30.
• The Faro Lighthouse, reached by bus from Anacapri (2 an hour) is a great place to enjoy the sunset, along with its beach pool, and restaurants.

From April to the end of the summer, the island also comes to life from an artistic and cultural point of view. Concerts are organized almost every evening in the squares or the splendid villas built by Tiberius, as well as painting and sculpture exhibitions, plays and dance performances. This wonderful island is a destination that attracts visitors of all nationalities!

• Festival of San Costanzo On May 14 every year, the patron saint of the town of Capri, San Costanzo, is celebrated.
• Festival of Sant’Antonio On June 13 every year, the patron saint of the town of Anacapri is celebrated with a large rustic festival.
• International Folklore Festival During the 1st week of August, Anacapri plays host to a range of events in its squares, featuring musical bands and folk dance companies.
• Settembrata Anacaprese September. A large rustic festival for celebrating the grape harvest: 10 days of celebration dedicated to the island’s typical produce, including shows, competitions and games.
• Capri Film Festival Every December since 1991, Capri has hosted an international festival dedicated to the cinema. The event attracts Italian artistes, Hollywood stars and independent filmmakers keen to present their works in this exclusive location.

Arco Naturale—natural arch reachable by a beautiful hike around the southern edge of Capri.

After getting off the train that goes up the hill, walk up to the square with the pillars all around, and you'll find a little drink stand. Buy a Red Orange Smoothie; they are excellent when the weather gets hot.

• Cafe Michelangelo (near the main square.). A good spot for people watching - also does good light meals/lunches. 
• La Lanterna Verde (AKA The Green Lantern) (just outside town on Via G. Orlandi). Cocktails on the terrace and a fabulous view of the Bay of Naples. 

• Albergo La Prora, Via Castello 6-8, info@albergolaprora.it. This delightful little hotel is in the oldest and most characteristic part of town about 100 m from Capri's main square (piazza). It was built in the early 19th century by a retired naval officer, who built it like the prow of a ship to remind of his nautical past, hence the name. Stunning views of the bay of Naples, its islands and the magnificent Vesuvius can be enjoyed from the terraces and windows, have breakfast looking out over the harbour and the natural beauty of Mt. Solaro, Capri's highest peak. All rooms have bathrooms; TV; telephone; safes and air conditioner. Directions: from the main square go up the church steps, under the arch to Via Madre Serafina, to Via Castello passing through the covered medieval part of the town (about 5 minutes walk). 
• Hotel Casa Caprile Capri, Via Follicara 9, ☏ +39 081 837 3948, fax: +39 081 837 188. Former residence of the Queen of Sweden, today the Casa Caprile is an elegant three star hotel with 20 rooms and 2 suites surrounded by several exotic plants. All the accommodation of this hotel are decorated in the Mediterranean style and offer private bath, mini bar, air condition, TV e telephone. Only some dispose of balcony or terrace. 
• Hotel della Piccola Marina Capri, Via Mulo 14/16, ☏ +39 081 837 9642, fax: +39 081 837 8483. A four-star hotel immersed in a green garden, which offers 43 bedrooms with balcony to enjoy the fantastic view of Capri. The guests can also use the swimming pool with bar and find lots activities do to while in holiday in this beautiful island. 
• Hotel Regina Cristina Capri, Via Federico Serena 20, ☏ +39 081 8370744, fax: +39 081 8370550. A four-star hotel with a perfect position to reach by walking the beaches of Capri, and the main square (famous as piazzetta) of the town. Plus two swimming pool, one restaurant, a buffet breakfast served every morning and a snack bar for this four star accommodation 
• Hotel Relais Maresca, Via Prov.le Marina Grande, 284, ☏ +39 081 837 9619. On the edge of the sea at Marina Grande, a short walk from the beach and from the port. 
• Hotel Il Girasole Capri, Via Linciano, 47, ☏ +39 081 8372351, fax: +39 081 8373880. Comfortable 23 rooms for this three-star hotel in Anacapri, close the Grotta Azzurra, also offering a swimming pool with sun deck and snack bar. Due the limited number of rooms it’s worth it to reserve in advance using the online booking system. 
• Hotel La Canasta, Via Campo di teste, 6. This small property, managed and owned by the D'Emilio family, features beautifully-decorated interiors and lovely relaxing outdoor areas, and offers a personalized, friendly atmosphere. La Canasta hotel is in a charming area of Capri, 5 minutes from the famous La Piazzetta square, a few steps away from Via Camerelle and a 20-minute walk from the Faraglioni beach. 
• Hotel La Floridiana Capri, Via Campo di Teste 16-I, ☏ +39 081 8370166, fax: +39 081 8370434. Four-star hotel. Very close t central square of the town. Elegant public areas and bedrooms (some with whirlpool) decorated in a modern Mediterranean style, and terrace with view on the Tyrrhenian Sea. 
• Hotel La Reginella Capri, Via Matermania 36, ☏ +39 081 8370500, fax: +39 081 8379126. A two-star hotel with 9 bedrooms, in twin and triple. Due its position over the hills, the Hotel Reginella also presents a fantastic panoramic view from two of its bedroom and the communal terrace. The price for a double is about €85. 
• Ambassador Weber, ☏ +39 081 8370141. Four-star hotel in exclusive Marina Piccola. Private balcony. Hotel staff will shuttle you to La Piazzetta, the port, or any other location on the island. Free continental breakfastband nearby restaurants. 
• Casa per Ferie Villa Helios, Via Croce, fax: +39 081-837-0240. A church run former convent, with the money raised to pay for a seniors' home next door, with 24 quiet, simple rooms. Double w/bathroom €110, €30 more mid-May to September, extra bed €30, includes breakfast, family rooms, some with air conditioning, view terrace. 
• Hotel Relais Maresca Capri, Via Prov. le Marina Grande 284. 4-star accommodation with quality service and a host of facilities and amenities. 
• Hotel Caesar Augustus, Via G. Orlandi 4, ☏ +39 081 8373395. 5-star luxury hotel with gourmet restaurant and panoramic swimming pool overlooking the sea. Room rates from €340. 
• 🌍 Resort Villa Bismarck, Via Palazzo a Mare 40, ☏ +39 335 5 680921. It is in front of one of the most renowned restaurants in Capri, “Da Paolino”, with a 5-minute walk you can get to the beach “Da Tiberio”. A few meters from the villa there is the street that leads you to the “Piazzetta di Capri” in 15 minutes by car, while with a 5-minute walk you can reach the harbour. 

Bellavista, Casa Caprille, Villa Capri, Senaria, Loreley, La Porta, Due Pini Residence, Il Mulino, Da Gelsolmina Migliera

• Bed & Breakfast Il Tramonto, Via Migliera 30/B Anacapri (very close to Piazza Caprese (ask the bus driver to make a stop there for you). Make sure you call when at Piazza Caprese as the street to the B&B is rather small and easy to overlook), ☏ +39 338 4876640, +39 333 1742184. Staff are courteous. Breakfast is included and abundant. There is also wireless Internet access (though not everywhere) and the views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and Ischia are very good. €80/day in the low season.