Capri Island

Capri is a legendary island in the Gulf of Naples that has captivated emperors, artists, and travelers for two thousand years, and remains one of Italy's most iconic and coveted destinations. Its beauty is simply blinding: soaring rock stacks plunging into the sea, turquoise-transparent water, the scent of orange blossoms and lemons, luxury villas clinging to the cliffs. The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) is the island's supreme natural wonder — a sea cave where sunlight, filtering through the submerged entrance, transforms the interior into a pool of pure magical blue light. The Monte Solaro cable car climbs to 589 meters, delivering a 360° panorama across the entire Gulf of Naples, Vesuvius, and the Sorrento Peninsula. Villa Jovis, the imperial residence of Emperor Tiberius perched on the eastern headland, allows you to touch two thousand years of Roman history. The Gardens of Augustus and the Faraglioni viewpoint are among the world's most photographed sceneries. Via Camerelle hosts the island's luxury boutiques. From O'Vesuvio B&B in Torre del Greco, the ferry to Capri departs from Naples in just 60 minutes — the ultimate Gulf of Naples day trip.

Capri's Blue Grotto: the Mediterranean's most extraordinary light phenomenon

The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) is Capri's absolute symbol and one of the most celebrated natural wonders in the world. Officially discovered in 1826 by German painters August Kopisch and Ernst Fries, the grotto was in fact known since antiquity — the Romans used it as an imperial nymphaeum, as evidenced by submerged statues and the remains of an ancient jetty on the cave floor. The magical blue light phenomenon is caused by sunlight refracting through an underwater opening just 50 centimeters high: the light splits into the spectral components and the blue is amplified, turning the water into a fluorescent pool of pure magical light. Entry is in tiny rowboats, ducking flat to pass through the low entrance. Visits are only possible in calm sea conditions. From O'Vesuvio B&B in Torre del Greco, the Blue Grotto is the unmissable highlight of any Capri day trip.

The Faraglioni of Capri: three iconic rock stacks in the Gulf of Naples

The Faraglioni are Capri's supreme visual symbol — three enormous limestone pillars rising from the sea off the island's southern tip. The largest is connected to the mainland, while the second — Faraglione di Mezzo — has a natural arch that boats can pass through. The third, the Faraglione di Fuori, is the only natural habitat of the rare Capri blue lizard (Lacerta caerulea). The viewpoint at the Gardens of Augustus is the best angle from which to photograph the Faraglioni with the turquoise sea as backdrop. The boat tour around the Faraglioni — included in island boat trips — allows you to glide through the natural arch, a thrilling experience. Watching the sunset from the Faraglioni viewpoint is one of the most iconic natural spectacles in the Mediterranean.

Villa Jovis and Emperor Tiberius: two thousand years of Roman history on Capri

Villa Jovis is the largest of the twelve imperial villas built by Tiberius on Capri during his stay here from 27 to 37 AD — the last eleven years of his reign. The emperor governed the entire Roman Empire from this residence perched 334 meters above sea level, communicating with Rome via a system of light signals. The still-imposing ruins — a complex of over 7,000 square meters including cisterns, baths, loggias and the famous Tiberius's Leap precipice — let visitors vividly imagine imperial life in the 1st century AD. The walk to Villa Jovis takes about 45 minutes from Capri's Piazzetta along a scenic path through villas, gardens and spectacular Gulf of Naples viewpoints.

Monte Solaro and Anacapri: the panoramic summit of Capri island

Monte Solaro is Capri's highest point at 589 meters, reached in 13 minutes by chairlift from Anacapri with ever-more-spectacular views as you ascend. From the summit the panorama is extraordinary: the Gulf of Naples to the north with Vesuvius and the Campanian coast, the Gulf of Salerno to the east, the islands of Ischia and Procida to the west, and on clear days even Sardinia on the horizon. Anacapri is the quieter, more authentic upper part of the island — a world away from busy central Capri. The Villa San Michele of Axel Munthe — a museum-villa with a panoramic garden — is one of the island's most romantic spots. The Church of Santa Sofia preserves beautiful Vietri ceramic tile floors. Anacapri is also the ideal base for hiking the mountain paths.

Day trip to Capri from Torre del Greco: practical tips for the perfect visit

To organize a day trip to Capri from O'Vesuvio B&B in Torre del Greco: 20 minutes by train or car to Naples, then ferry (60 min, more affordable and scenic) or hydrofoil (40 min, faster) from Molo Beverello. In high season book tickets online weeks in advance. The first ferry departs at 7:00 — go early to enjoy the island before the crowds. A full day allows you to visit the Blue Grotto in the morning (before the queue builds), do the island boat tour, take the Monte Solaro chairlift, stroll through Anacapri and enjoy lunch at a panoramic terrace restaurant. Via Camerelle and the Piazzetta are perfect for the late afternoon, when the golden sunset light transforms the island into something even more magical than you could have imagined.

Highlights

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  Blue Grotto — magical natural blue light phenomenon

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  Faraglioni — three iconic rock stacks rising from the sea

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  Villa Jovis — Emperor Tiberius's imperial residence (1st century AD)

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  Monte Solaro cable car — 360° panorama over the Gulf of Naples

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  Via Camerelle — luxury shopping street

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  Gardens of Augustus with Faraglioni viewpoint

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  Villa San Michele in Anacapri