Famous for its beautiful landscape and upscale visitors, the island of Capri is the perfect day trip from Naples, Amalfi or Sorrento. If you want to make the most of your day check out our itinerary below.

With stunning landscapes, turquoise sea water, and strikingly rugged cliffs, this precipitous island is infatuating. No wonder it has become a popular retreat for the rich and famous. Today, however, the island welcomes tourists from all over the globe who come eager to explore the islands panoramic views, dazzling sea cave and historical monuments. In order to make the most of your day on Capri, look through our list of the best things to see and do on this magical island.

  • 360-degree Views from Monte Solaro

    Monte Solaro is a mountain on Capri and the island’s highest vantage point. With an elevation of 589m, the views from Monte Solaro are like no other. There’s no better way to experience Capri. From this high point, visitors can see the islands rugged cliff tops, lush greenery, the assortment of villas, and the glistening waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea that surround this unique island. Enjoy a relaxing chair lift up the mountain with stunning views to accompany you before you hop off and take a stroll around the peak. Make the most of the 360° views by lounging on one of the La Canzone del Cielo café deckchairs and sip away at a cool drink before heading back down the mountain. With a round trip chairlift ride costing only €12, a visit to Monte Solaro is a must for your one-day Capri itinerary. For avid hikers or keen walkers, climbing the mountain on foot it another option, and free of cost! Take the path from the upper village of Anacapri for a clear path to the top.

  • Visit the aesthete’s retreat in Villa Lysis

    A 30-minute walk from the main square in Capri town is the beautifully restored Villa Lysis. A beautifully melancholic art-nouveau villa set on Capri’s north-eastern tip, the villa was once the hideaway of French poet Jacques d’Adelsward-Fersen. The Frenchman came to the villa in 1904 to escape a gay sex scandal in Paris. From intimate salons on the first floor to the special Chinese room in the basement, visitors can enjoy a tour of this eccentric villa for just €2. The Chinese room holds much curiosity for visitors for its semicircular opium den with a swastika emblazoned on the floor. According to scholars, Fersen became addicted to opium following a visit to Ceylon in the early 1900s. Once you’ve finished exploring inside wander out to the villa’s garden, an equally transfixing triumph of classical grandiosity. The villa boasts some of the best views of the island and the surrounding sea which you can enjoy whilst hiking up the path before taking them in fully on your arrival.

  • Discover the Blue Grotto

    One of the most sought-after hotspots on the island of Capri, the Blue Grotto is a dark cavern which comes aglow with light when the sun passes through the cave and hits the water, turning the sea an electric blue. Also known as the Grotta Azzurra, the grotto can only be accessed by boat. The entry into the cave is around 2 metres wide, and roughly 1 metre high at low tide, making safe access possible only when the tides are low and the sea is calm. To enter the grotto, you must lie flat on the bottom of a rowboat and let yourself be carried through the tiny hole which makes up the entrance. On the other side, you’ll see that you’ve been transported to another world of natural wonder. A popular tourist attraction, the wait for the Blue Grotto can be long but worth it. Make sure you go on a day where the sun is shining high in the sky, as this will create a more dramatic effect in the cave, compared to when its overcast.

  • Marvel at the Gardens of Augustus

    Originally known as the Krupp Gardens after the German industrialist who founded them, Friedrich Alfred Krupp, the Gardens of Augustus are comprised of beautiful stone arches, colourful flora, medieval sculptures and murmuring water fountains The gardens, designed in terraces overlooking the sea, offer sweeping views of some of Capri’s iconic landmarks, from the Faraglioni rock formations to the bay of Marina Piccola. What’s more, you can also catch a glimpse of Via Krupp, a winding path covering an elevation difference of about 100m, all the way down to the Mediterranean Sea.

  • Go back in time to Villa Jovis

    Perched on top of Mount Tiberio, more than 1,200 feet above sea level, Villa Jovis is over 2,000 years old. Built by the Roman Emperor Tiberius in 27 AD, Villa Jovis is the largest of the twelve Tiberian villas built on the island. The entire complex has now been reduced to overgrown ruins, but the grandeur of the villa is still evident in its remaining 8 levels of walls and staircases. Get away from the bustling crowds and appreciate the significant remains which offer a remarkable testament to 1st century Roman architecture. The trek is uphill, so remember to wear comfortable, sturdy shoes with good grip, and be rewarded with panoramic views when you reach the top!

One last tip – if you’re visiting Capri in the summer, we recommend doing any long walks or hikes in the morning to avoid the heat of the day, making sure to find shade often and drink water regularly.

Related article: 6 Things To Do in Capri On a Budget

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