Capri city
Capri city at a Glance
Costs: High - $200-500+/day - island hotels and upscale dining make Capri expensive; day trips cost less.
Safety: Very safe, tourist-focused - very safe but crowded in peak season; watch for opportunistic pickpockets.
Best Time: May-June, September-October - may-June and September-October offer great weather with fewer crowds.
Why Visit Capri city?
This island town is prized for its dramatic coastal scenery and refined Mediterranean culture, centered on the Piazzetta and the cliffside gardens of Villa Jovis. Sailors and diners come for fresh seafood and the local limoncello, and many make time to visit the Blue Grotto for its famous light effects. Narrow lanes and upscale boutiques create a distinct island atmosphere. Despite its popularity, the island still rewards leisurely wandering and seaside dining.
Best Things to Do in Capri city
Archaeological Site
Pompeii
Ancient Roman city preserved by Vesuvius eruption
Cape
Amalfi Coast
Scenic Mediterranean coastline with steep cliffs and towns
Volcano
Mount Vesuvius
Active volcano overlooking the Bay of Naples
Museum
Blue Grotto
Sea cave on Capri famed for blue light
Historical Site
Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata
Roman cities preserved by Mount Vesuvius' eruption
Church
Cappella Sansevero
Historic chapel in Naples with notable sculptures
Museum
National Archaeological Museum, Naples
Major archaeological museum housing Roman and Pompeii artifacts
Museum
Villa Rufolo
Historic villa with terraces and coastal Amalfi views
Capri city Bucket List
Don't Miss
La Piazzetta (Piazza Umberto I) - Small square serving as Capri’s lively social and dining center.
Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) - Sea cave reachable by small boat, famous for its glowing blue water.
Gardens of Augustus - Terraced botanical gardens offering panoramic views of Marina Piccola and Faraglioni.
Villa Jovis - Ruins of Emperor Tiberius’s villa with steep cliffs and historical ruins.
Hidden Gems
Anacapri and Villa San Michele - Quiet Anacapri with Villa San Michele museum and panoramic chairlift.
Punta Carena Lighthouse - Seaside lighthouse offering rugged coastal walks and sunset viewpoints away from crowds.
Via Krupp - Historic switchback path linking gardens to Marina Piccola, scenic but occasionally closed.
Day Trips
Sorrento and Amalfi Coast - Drive to Sorrento then Amalfi for cliffside towns and coastal views.
Naples and Pompeii - Ferry or boat to Naples, then visit Pompeii’s archaeological park by train.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Capri city
Go to Capri in late spring or early autumn for warm sea temperatures, fewer crowds, and pleasant weather. July-August is busy and hot; winter is mild but quieter with some closures.
Winter
Mild and occasionally rainy; the island is quiet with many places closed-great if you prefer low-season calm and foggy coastal charm.
Spring
Blooming gardens, warming seas, and lively but not overcrowded streets-perfect for hikes, boat trips, and avoiding peak-summer prices.
Summer
Hot, sunny, and bustling-wonderful for swimming and nightlife but expect crowds, higher prices, and long lines at attractions.
Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 6°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (933 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 6° - 13° | 8° | 104 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 2.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| February | Acceptable | 6° - 13° | 8° | 87 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 3.2 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.5h |
| March | Good | 7° - 14° | 11° | 74 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.1 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 9° - 16° | 13° | 79 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.0 m/s | 1.2 high | 13.1h |
| May | Very Good | 13° - 21° | 17° | 45 mm | some cloud | 77% | 2.6 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.3h |
| June | Ideal | 17° - 25° | 21° | 22 mm | mostly sunny | 75% | 2.6 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 14.8h |
| July | Ideal | 19° - 27° | 23° | 19 mm | clear | 73% | 2.4 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.6h |
| August | Ideal | 20° - 28° | 24° | 32 mm | clear | 72% | 2.3 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.6h |
| September | Excellent | 17° - 25° | 21° | 83 mm | mostly sunny | 70% | 2.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Very Good | 14° - 21° | 17° | 123 mm | some cloud | 74% | 2.5 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Good | 10° - 16° | 13° | 149 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 2.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.8h |
| December | Acceptable | 8° - 14° | 11° | 116 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 3.2 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
How to Get to Capri city
Capri is reached by sea: fly into Naples (or Rome) and continue by ferry or hydrofoil to Marina Grande. Once on the island the funicular, local buses and walking are the most practical ways to move around.
Naples International Airport (NAP): Naples (Capodichino) is the closest major airport for Capri. From NAP take the Alibus shuttle or a taxi to Naples port (Molo Beverello or Calata di Massa); the Alibus costs about €5 one-way and takes roughly 20-30 minutes to the central port depending on traffic. From the port catch a hydrofoil (aliscafo) or car ferry to Capri: hydrofoils run about 40-50 minutes and one-way tickets are typically around €20-€30; slower car ferries take about 70-90 minutes and cost in a similar range depending on season.
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO): From Fiumicino take the Leonardo Express train to Napoli Centrale (about 1h10, €14) then transfer to the port by taxi or metro + taxi (another 20-40 minutes). Alternatively, you can take a direct coach to Naples or a longer direct transfer; total travel time to the Capri ferry terminals from FCO is typically 3.5-5 hours door-to-door.
Train: High-speed trains (Frecciarossa/Italo) run to Napoli Centrale from Rome (approx 1h10-1h15, fares commonly €20-€60 depending on advance booking). From Napoli Centrale it’s a short taxi or metro ride to Molo Beverello for ferries to Capri.
Bus: SITA buses operate on the Sorrento-Amalfi peninsula and are the main surface connection on the island and mainland (useful if you’re coming via Sorrento). From Sorrento the ferry to Capri is short (about 20-25 minutes on a hydrofoil) and tickets are roughly €15-€25 one-way.
How to Get Around Capri city
Capri is best navigated by a mix of ferry plus short local journeys on the funicular, buses and plenty of walking. For first-time visitors: take the hydrofoil to Marina Grande, the funicular up to Capri town, and use island buses or taxis for longer hops.
- Hydrofoil / Ferry (€15-€30) - Fast hydrofoils (aliscafo) connect Naples and Sorrento to Capri’s Marina Grande in about 20-50 minutes depending on departure point; standard car ferries take 70-90 minutes from Naples. Hydrofoils are faster and more frequent in high season. Book tickets with companies such as SNAV, Caremar or NLG; expect €15-€30 one-way.
- Funicular (€2-€3) - The Capri funicular runs between Marina Grande and Capri town; single ride fare is cheap and quick - the trip takes a few minutes and is the easiest way up from the port. It fills quickly in high season, so expect queues at peak times.
- SITA / Island bus (€2-€4) - SITA buses and local buses run between Capri, Anacapri and several island stops. Buses are inexpensive (a few euros) but get crowded; timetables are seasonal. Use buses for connections that are too long to walk.
- Taxi / Private water taxi (€8-€80+) - Local road taxis and private water taxis are widely available; water taxis are the fastest but expensive, useful if you have lots of luggage or arrive at odd hours. Expect local taxi fares on-island to be modest (€8-€30 depending on distance) and private boat transfers considerably more.
- Walking - Capri and Anacapri are compact with many pedestrian-only lanes and steep steps; walking between viewpoints and shops is often the fastest option. Wear comfortable shoes-the terrain is hilly and some streets are stepped.
Where to Stay in Capri city
Budget
Anacapri / Marina Grande - €70-180/night
Capri is expensive even at the low end; small B&Bs and guesthouses in Anacapri or near Marina Grande offer the cheapest stays but book early.
Hotel Gatto Bianco - Simple, central and budget-friendly rooms
Capri guesthouses (various) - Multiple small B&Bs via Booking.com
Mid-Range
Capri town / Tragara - €150-350/night
Mid-range options on Capri are boutique hotels with sea or town views. Expect limited room numbers and higher seasonal rates; advance booking advised.
Punta Tragara - Elegant rooms with sea views
Hotel Weber Ambassador - Classic Capri location and comforts
Luxury
Capri cliffs / Anacapri - €400+/night
Capri’s luxury hotels are genuine island institutions with premium pricing and limited availability, especially in summer. Book months ahead for peak-season stays.
JK Place Capri - High-end boutique luxury on the island
Hotel Caesar Augustus - Iconic luxury with panoramic vistas
Where to Eat in Capri city
Local Food
Simple island cooking here highlights lemons, fresh pasta and locally caught fish; small trattorie and family restaurants serve caprese salads, limoncello and seafood dishes.
- Da Paolino - Dine beneath lemon trees; Capri classic.
- Ristorante Il Geranio - Terrace dining with views of the Gardens.
- L’Olivo (Capri Palace) - Refined tasting menus in Anacapri.
Seafood & Marina
Restaurants cluster around Marina Grande and the island cliffs, where grilled fish, spaghetti alle vongole and sea-view terraces are the main draws.
- Il Riccio - Clifftop seafood near the Faraglioni rocks.
- Ristorante Aurora - Marina Grande spot for grilled fish and pasta.
- Marina Grande quayside eateries - Multiple terraces for fresh-caught seafood views.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Capri city’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Capri city
Nightlife is concentrated around the Piazzetta and a few bars and cafés; evenings tend to be intimate and seasonal, with the busiest nights in summer. Large-club scenes are limited-expect relaxed drinks, occasional live music, and a lively crowd in high season.
Shopping in Capri city
Shopping in Capri centers on a handful of streets and small boutiques. Via Camerelle is the island’s best-known shopping stretch for designer labels and upscale boutiques, while the area around Marina Grande and the Piazzetta has souvenir shops, local artisan stalls and smaller specialty stores.