Things to Do in Capri

One of several natural sea caves along Capri's rugged coastline, the Green Grotto (Grotta Verde) is known for the unique green light that filters through the water and reflects onto the walls, creating a striking, dreamy atmosphere inside.

The Green Grotto was used by pirates during the 1500s to launch surprise attacks against passing ships and was known for centuries as the Cave of the Turks. It was dubbed the Green Grotto only after becoming a popular attraction with 19th-century travelers on boat excursions around Capri Island, along with the Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) and the Faraglioni sea stacks. 

The cave is only accessible by water. Capri boat tours depart from numerous mainland towns, including Positano and Amalfi on the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, and Naples. These full- or half-day boat tours generally include all the sights along the island's coastline, including the Punta Carena Lighthouse, the Natural Arch, and the White Grotto (Grotta Bianca). In lieu of a private boat tour, you can also opt for simple water taxi service from Marina Grande, the main port on Capri.

The Green Grotto is located on the southern coast of Capri just opposite Naples, and can only be reached by sea either as part of a boat tour to Capri or by water taxi from Marina Grande.

The green light inside the grotto is strongest at midday, but this is also when the grotto is most crowded, especially in summer. Boat tours only run from spring through fall, as the waters off Capri are too choppy for a small boat to navigate for much of the winter. 

The Mediterranean island of Capri is quite dramatic by sea, but there are also a number of beautiful places to visit on land. Among the most famous are the glamorous Piazzetta and Via Camerelle, the Gardens of Augustus, Villa San Michele, the town of Anacapri, and the charming Marina Piccola.

The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) is one of the most famous attractions on the beautiful island of Capri, located in Italy’s Bay of Naples. This unique sea cave gets its name from the bright blue light filtering through the water by way of an opening below sea level. To enter the cave, visitors board a small rowboat and duck as they enter through a low opening. Once inside the cave, you’ll marvel at the glowing turquoise light.

A visit to the Blue Grotto is a must for visitors on a day trip or shore excursion from the Amalfi Coast, Naples, or Sorrento. You can reach the cave by water or land, but to enter the cave, you must board an official rowboat. Due to the high number of visitors, wait times can stretch for hours, though passengers of private boat tours are often given precedence. Book your boat transfer to and from the Blue Grotto in advance to avoid long lines, or reserve a private tour with a boat ride around Capri and the Faraglioni rock formations.

You can reach the Blue Grotto by sea from the Marina Grande port or by land from the town of Anacapri.

The cave is most crowded in summer and during the midday hours, so plan to visit first thing in the morning to avoid a long wait to enter. Note that the Blue Grotto is open only when sea conditions permit, so when the waters are rough or there are high winds, the cave may close with no advance warning.

The Blue Grotto can only be visited by sea, but the island of Capri has a number of attractions on land, as well. Take an island tour of Villa San Michele, with its sweeping views over the Mediterranean, the lush Gardens of Augustus, and the 14th-century Charterhouse of San Giacomo.

Marina Grande is the main port on the island of Capri, located off the coast of Naples, Italy. Set just north of the main town of Capri and at the foot of Mount Solaro on the norther side of the island, it was an ancient fishing port, used by the Romans during Augustan times. Since the early 20th century, it has developed into a major port and seaside resort that features the largest beach on the island. A small square overlooks the port, which is surrounded by a rainbow of traditional Capri houses with terraces and balconies. There are also a number of restaurants, bars and souvenir shops around the port.

The White Grotto is one of several scenic caves along the coastline of the island of Capri, which sits just off the coast of Naples, Italy. Less crowded than the popular Blue Grotto, it gets its name from the white stalactites that hang from the roof of the cave and the white layers of calcareous material that coats its sides. One of the stalactites is said to resemble the Virgin Mary in prayer. The grotto consists of an upper and lower cave, although the upper is not easily accessible. The lower cave is about 24 feet at its tallest and is wider above the water (about six feet) than it is at the surface. According to Mario Puzo’s book “The Sicilian,” the famous Sicilian bandit Salvatore Giuliano spent his first nights as an outlaw in the White Grotto.

A trio of rocky spurs looming out from the ocean off the southeast coast of Capri island, the natural landmark known as ‘I Faraglioni’ has become one of the island’s most memorable postcard images. The distinctive rocks, formed over years of coastal erosion, lie just a few meters off land, and tower up to 100 meters above the waters of the Mediterranean, making for a dramatic sight. The rocks are so famous they even have their own names - ‘Stella’ is the closest to shore; ‘Faraglione di Mezzo’ is the central and smallest rock; while ‘Faraglione di Fuori’ or ‘Scopolo’ is the largest and furthest from shore. 

The best way to view the Faraglioni is on a boat tour of the coast, but the rock stacks can also be seen from shore, with great views from La Fontelina and da Luigi beaches. If you do opt for a boat cruise, you’ll have the chance to not only circle the rocks, but sail right through the middle – passing beneath the natural arch of Faraglione di Mezzo. Legend has it that couples that kiss beneath the arch will be bestowed with good luck, so be sure to test out the theory!

Cala di Mitigliano is an unspoiled beach at the tip of the Sorrentine Peninsula in Italy. It can only be reached by walking down a steep footpath for about 30 minutes, but once you get there, you will enjoy beautiful scenery and views of Punta Campanella and the island of Capri. With a pebble beach and crystal-clear water, Cala di Mitigliano is in a cove surrounded by steep vertical rocks, making for a dramatic landscape.

On the right side of the beach is a circular building, similar to a tower, that was once used for lime production. While no longer in use, the structure adds to the landscape and stands as a reminder of the area’s history. Nearby, a 50-foot deep circular grotto is a popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving, although it is only possible to enter when the sea is calm and the tide is low.

Located on the southern side of the island of Capri, Marina Piccola was once the main port on the island, used by Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius. Sheltered from the wind and enjoying a southern exposure, the beaches here are typically the warmest on the island. The marina is split into the Marina di Mulo and the Marina di Peannauro by the Scoglio delle Sirene cliff. Legend has it that the cliff was once inhabited by bewitching sirens described by Homer in the Odyssey. 

Out to sea from Marina Piccola are the rock formations known as the Faraglioni Stacks, which must be passed when leaving the marina by boat. Near the small square where the buses stop in the marina are stairs that lead down to a pebble beach and to the Church of Saint Andrea, built in 1900. Visitors may also wish to hike along the historic Via Krupp, a switchback foot path that leads from Marina Piccola to the Charterhouse of San Giacomo and the Gardens of Augustus.

The Natural Arch on the Italian island of Capri is all that remains of what was once a deep and incredibly high grotto. Thought to date all the way back to the Paleolithic era, today the limestone arch stands about 12 meters wide and 18 meters tall. Avid photographers will find that the arch can provide an ideal picture frame for capturing seascapes in the distance. Located on the east side of the island, the walk to reach the Natural Arch is one of the most beautiful on Capri. From a small square facing the arch visitors can also enjoy tremendous views of the Sorrentine Peninsula, Punta Campanella and the islets of the Li Galli archipelago.

The Villa San Michele on the island of Capri is a 20th century villa built by Swedish doctor and author Alex Munthe, who lived on Capri for nearly six decades.  Now a museum, it is home to more than 1,600 pieces from as far back as 1250 B.C. A collection from the Etruscan period includes a marble sphinx and a head made of terracotta while Roman antiquities on display include a variety of mosaics, sculptures and columns. Highlights of the collection include an Egyptian sphinx in red and black granite from the time of Ramses II and a mask of Medusa. In the chapel, visitors will see examples of medieval church art, as well as pieces from the Neapolitan Renaissance, and in the dining room and kitchen are collections of 18th century Swedish pewter and 16th century Lombard copper vessels. Munthe’s personal effects are also on display, including a manuscript of his book, “The Story of San Michele.”

The villa gardens include more archaeological finds and offer panoramic views of the town of Capri, the harbor, the Sorretine peninsula and Mount Vesuvius.