A little slice of paradise off the southwestern coast of Italy, the island of Capri is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Capri offers everything you’d hope for when you’re in paradise. Some of the world’s best beaches. Many of the best sea and land views on Earth. And seemingly endless ways to spend your time that can make it hard to decide what’s best to see and do on Capri. The island simply has it all. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best things to do on Capri.   

So let’s dive right in (figuratively and literally into the warm waters). Here are the 10 best things to do in Capri, Italy. 

Visit the Blue Grotto

Inside the Blue Grotto, Capri Island, Italy

Any visit to Capri is incomplete if it doesn’t involve a trip to the Blue Grotto. The Blue Grotto, or Grotta Azzurra, as it’s known to the locals, is one of the most unique and beautiful places in Capri and in all of Italy. The Blue Grotto is a flooded cave nestled off Capri’s coast whose waters shine as some of the bluest you’ll find anywhere in the world. 

With an opening to the sea and sunlight from outside, the cave almost seems as if it’s lit from the inside. This is what gives the water its incredible blues that made the grotto so famous. Due to its beauty and popularity, the Blue Grotto does get extremely crowded during the summer months, so try visiting during the low travel season for the best experience. Visiting the cave and experiencing the Blue Grotto in person is a surreal experience, and you’ll never forget the deep, piercing blues of the waters that you swam in that day. 

Go to the Top of Monte Solaro

View from the top of Monte Solaro, Capri, Italy

After you get done taking in the incredible beauty of the Blue Grotto, you should spend the second half of your day ascending the towering Monte Solaro towering over the island. As the highest point on the island of Capri, you can only imagine how amazing the views from the top of the mountain must be. Well, you won’t have to imagine anymore once you make the ascent to the top. You can make that dream a reality.

The best way of getting to the top is, without a doubt, taking the chairlift. The ride on the chairlift itself is an unforgettable experience, as it’s likely the single best chairlift in the entire world when it comes to the views its riders have. From your seat on the chairlift, peer out over the endless blue waters, or look back towards shore and see the Amalfi Coast in all its glory. 

Check Out Giardini di Augusto

Public gardens, Giardini di Augusto, Capri Island, Italy

Located high atop the island of Capri, Giardini di Augusto (the Gardens of Augusto) offers visitors some of the best views from anywhere on the island. The only views that can compare are those from the top of Monte Solaro itself. These gardens are made up of all sorts of perfectly manicured grasses and gorgeous wildflowers, which make them worth a visit all on their own.

But the main reason that you’ll want to visit Giardini di Augusto is the views of the island and the sea that you won’t get from anywhere else on the island. You can peer out into the endless blue waters from the gardens and see the rock formations surging up through the surface and the cliffside coast bounding the island. The views here are truly incredible, and you do not want to miss them.

Relax at Marina Piccola

Sunny day at Marina Piccola, Capri, Italy

One of the best places to visit in Capri, especially during the winter months, is Marina Piccola. Situated on the island’s southern coast, Marina Piccola gets the most direct sunlight of any place on the island during the winter, and its temperatures remain mild and comfortable. You can enjoy paddleboarding and join boat tours in the Bay of Marina Piccola

The beaches here are free, and the shallow, calm waters are perfect for sunbathing all day and wading out into the warm Mediterranean waters. It’s easy to reach Marina Piccola by traveling down Via Krupp (if it’s open) and catching the incredible views the entire way down. The calm waters and quiet beaches are worth the walk, and you’ll be happy you made the journey.

Shop the Via Camerelle

Via Camerelle, a popular shopping street on the Island of Capri, Italy

Any fashion-lovers will be able to tell you that some of the most luxurious fashion brands in the world hail from Italy. And luckily for any fashion-lovers visiting Capri, there’s a street lined with these luxury fashion brands right on the island: Via Camerelle. As you walk down this road, you’ll see high-end clothing everywhere you look. 

On Via Camerelle, you’ll find options from Louis Vuitton, Dolce and Gabbana, Versace, and more. SO if you’re into fashion and you’re willing to spend big bucks on some clothes, then Via Camerelle is the place to be. Even if you don’t want to spend the money on any of these clothes, it’s still worth checking out just to see some of the most famous brands in the fashion industry all in one place.

Ride Up Via Krupp

Via Krupp, winding serpentine road on the Island of Capri, Italy

After getting done with your visit to Giardini di Augusto, head over to the most recognizable pathways on the island: Via Krupp. The famous path climbs the cliffside with unsettling hairpin turns going back and forth up the mountain. Renowned for its amazing views of the blue waters below, Via Krupp has become an iconic landmark of Capri and one of its most photographed.

Due to its narrow hairpin turns and cliffside construction, Via Krupp is closed often due to the likelihood of falling rocks and debris, so you may run into trouble actually getting to go on the adventure. But while you’re exploring Giardini di Augusto, as mentioned above, you’ll get an unforgettable view of Via Krupp and the surrounding area.

Visit the Villa San Michele

Gardens of Villa San Michele, Island of Capri, Italy

One of the most beautiful houses in all of Capri is Villa San Michele. This incredible home is surrounded by amazing views of the island and surrounding sea, and the gardens around the home are so pretty you could just get lost in their beauty. The outdoor areas’ overhead structures are covered in vines to offer shade, and it just makes you feel like you’re in the middle of Italian paradise.

Inside the home, you’ll find all sorts of artwork and famous artifacts belonging to the long-time resident — and original owner of the home — Axel Munthe. Spend time inside checking out the priceless pieces of art or outside taking in the fantastic views. No matter what you prefer, visiting Villa San Michele is a necessary addition to any Capri vacation.

Hike to the Natural Arch

Natural arch, Arco Naturale, Capri Island, Italy

If you’re up for a pretty simple hike to see one of the coolest natural rock formations anywhere on Capri, then taking the time to visit the Natural Arch should be on your to-do list. Getting to the arch is an easy hike, mostly downhill and down some stairs, so it’s well worth the effort. Getting back to where you’re coming from is the more difficult part, but don’t let that deter you.

What used to be the top of yet another grotto on Capri, the Natural Arch, is all that remains of the cave as the rest of the grotto collapsed many years ago. The Natural Arch is a wondrous structure that you almost won’t think is actually natural when you see it. It’s astounding that the arch is able to hold itself up and has survived all these years. It’s truly a remarkable sight to see and one that you don’t want to miss.

Take a Boat Tour Around the Island

Sailing along the coast of the Italian Island of Capri

If you aren’t into hiking as much or you want to add a nice relaxing adventure to your Capri vacation, consider taking a boat tour around the island. Taking a boat tour is the only way to really see everything Capri has to offer since you can only see some of the island’s best sights from the water.

As for the aforementioned natural arch, your boat tour will take you past it on the way to travel right through different archways among the other amazing rock formations of Faraglioni (more on those shortly). Your boat tour can also take you to the famous Blue Grotto, as well as the much less known White and Green Grottos as well. Taking a boat tour of Capri will show you more of the incredible island than you’d get to see any other way.

See the Famous Faraglioni Rocks

The Faraglioni Rocks off the coast of the island of Capri, Italy

Three of the most iconic landmarks of Capri are actually not on land at all but just off the coast — the famous Faraglioni Rocks. These three rock formations poke up out of the sea and tower over the endless blue waters below. As mentioned previously, taking a boat tour around Capri will likely take you right up to and through these rock formations, and you’ll be able to get a sense of their truly massive size.

The three rock formations are known as Stella, Mezzo, and Scopolo, and each of them is unique in its own way. Not only are they amazing rock formations to look at from the sea, but the photo ops that they give you are incomparable. Seeing these rocks in photographs is undoubtedly incredible, but seeing them up close and personal is something entirely different. 

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