Capri Island Guide: Blue Grotto, Anacapri & Where to Stay

Capri sits 5km off the tip of the Sorrento Peninsula in the Bay of Naples — a limestone island that drops almost vertically into some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean. It has been famous since Roman times: the Emperor Augustus fell in love with it in 29 BC, and Tiberius ruled the Roman Empire from here between 27 and 37 AD from his cliff-top palace, Villa Jovis. Today the island is equally well known for its fashionable piazzetta, its high-season crowds, and its extraordinary natural scenery: sea stacks, sea caves, coastal paths, and water that shifts between turquoise and deep cobalt depending on depth and angle.

None of that means Capri is just for millionaires or the merely Instagrammable. The best things on the island — the cliff paths, the Blue Grotto (weather permitting), the ruins of Villa Jovis, the view from Monte Solaro — are accessible to anyone willing to walk and plan their visit around the crowds.

Getting there

From Naples: Fast hydrofoils (aliscafo) depart from Naples Molo Beverello roughly every 30–60 minutes in summer, less frequently in winter. The crossing to Marina Grande takes approximately 50 minutes. As of 2026, fares are approximately €25–30 per person each way. Slower car ferries (traghetti) take around 80 minutes and cost approximately €16–22 per person — there is almost no reason to take a car to Capri, as the island’s roads are narrow and local buses cover all major points.

From Sorrento: The most convenient option for visitors staying on the Sorrentine Peninsula. Hydrofoils and fast ferries run the 20–25 minute crossing from Sorrento harbour, with fares approximately €20–25 each way. Several operators run this route; buy tickets at the port on the day or book in advance in summer.

From Positano and the Amalfi Coast: Seasonal ferry services (roughly April–October) connect Positano, Amalfi, and Salerno to Capri. Crossing times vary from approximately 40 minutes (Positano) to over an hour (Amalfi). Fares approximately €20–35 depending on route and operator.

From Marina Grande to Capri town: The funicular runs continuously from Marina Grande to Capri town in approximately 4 minutes (fare approximately €2.20 as of 2026, or covered by a day pass). Buses connect Marina Grande to Capri town and Anacapri; a single bus ride costs approximately €2. Taxis (the distinctive open-topped convertible kind) charge from approximately €15–25 per trip within the island.

Getting around

There are no regular cars for hire on Capri — the island effectively bans them for tourists. The options are: local SIPPIC buses (affordable, frequent in summer, but crowded), taxis (expensive but door-to-door), electric scooters (available for hire in Capri town, approximately €30–50/day as of 2026), or walking. The island is compact enough that most attractions are reachable on foot, and some of the best routes — Via Krupp, the path to the Arco Naturale, the walk to Villa Jovis — are only accessible by walking.

What to see and do

The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra): The island’s signature sight — a sea cave lit by light refracting through an underwater opening, turning the water an intense electric blue. Access is by small rowboat through a low tunnel entrance; entry is only possible when seas are calm, which rules out visits on rougher days. As of 2026, entry costs approximately €18 per person (boat ride included, but paid separately from the sea approach boat if you go from Marina Grande). Opening hours approximately 9am–6pm in summer, weather-dependent. The cave fills quickly — arrive by boat from Marina Grande (approximately €15–20 from the main port by motor launch) or take the bus from Anacapri down to the ticket office at water level.

Villa Jovis: Tiberius’ primary imperial residence on Capri, perched at the northeastern tip of the island at 334 metres above sea level. The ruins are substantial — you can trace the layout of the emperor’s private quarters, bathing areas, service buildings, and the panoramic belvedere. Entry approximately €6 as of 2026. Open approximately 9am–5pm (winter hours shorter; confirm on site). A 45-minute uphill walk from Capri town via the signed route.

Monte Solaro Chairlift (Seggiovia): A single-seat chairlift from Anacapri to the island’s highest point at 589 metres, with panoramic views over the entire Bay of Naples and, on clear days, the coastline from Vesuvius to the Cilento. Return ticket approximately €14 as of 2026; one-way approximately €9 if you want to walk down (approximately 45 minutes). Open approximately 9:30am–5pm, seasonal closures in winter.

Arco Naturale: A natural limestone arch carved by erosion at the island’s eastern tip, reachable on a well-marked 30-minute walk from Capri town. The arch itself is free to view; the path is one of the more dramatic on the island.

Via Krupp: A spectacular zigzag path cut into the cliffs below the Gardens of Augustus, leading from Capri town down to Marina Piccola. The path was commissioned by industrialist Friedrich Alfred Krupp in 1902; it was closed for decades and reopened in sections. Worth checking current status before planning your descent — it has had intermittent closures for rockfall remediation. The Gardens of Augustus above the path entrance are free and offer excellent views of the Faraglioni sea stacks.

Boat tours: Circumnavigating the island by small boat is one of the best ways to experience Capri’s sea caves, sea stacks, and coastal rock formations. Group tours depart from Marina Grande approximately every hour in season (from approximately €20–30/person); private speedboats are bookable from approximately €200–400 for 2–3 hours as of 2026.

Where to stay

J.K. Place Capri (Capri town) — One of the island’s most celebrated small hotels, with 22 rooms spread across a clifftop villa above Marina Grande. Rooms from approximately €700–1,200/night in peak season as of 2026. Exceptional service and a rooftop terrace with bay views.

Capri Palace Jumeirah (Anacapri) — A 68-room luxury hotel in Anacapri with a Michelin-starred restaurant, a large pool, and shuttle service to the piazzetta. Rooms from approximately €500–950/night in summer as of 2026. More relaxed than the equivalent properties in Capri town.

Hotel La Minerva (Capri town) — A reliable mid-range option on a quiet terrace above the main town, with a pool and comfortable rooms. From approximately €200–380/night in season as of 2026.

Hotel San Michele (Anacapri) — A well-kept family-run hotel in Anacapri with gardens, pool, and easy access to Monte Solaro. From approximately €150–280/night as of 2026. A solid choice for budget-conscious visitors who still want their own space.

Where to eat

Da Paolino — Famous for its lemon garden setting under full-size lemon trees, this Anacapri restaurant serves classic Caprese dishes: spaghetti alle vongole, linguine with local scorpionfish, grilled sea bass. Expect approximately €20–35 per main as of 2026. Essential to book in summer.

Lo Smeraldo (Capri town) — A quieter trattoria on a side street off the main drag, known for freshly made pasta and good-value lunch menus (approximately €35–50 for two courses with wine as of 2026). A reliable antidote to the inflated tourist-facing places on the Piazzetta.

La Fontelina (Marina Piccola) — A beach club-restaurant at the water’s edge beneath the Faraglioni, offering lunch in a genuinely spectacular setting. Food is good; prices reflect the location (approximately €25–50 per main). Book well in advance in season or arrive by boat.

Bar Tiberio (Piazzetta) — For a drink at the famous central square, Bar Tiberio is the most atmospheric of the piazzetta’s four café-bars. A Campari spritz costs approximately €10–14 as of 2026 — expensive, but you’re paying for the location and the people-watching.

Practical notes

Capri is a cash-as-well-as-card island — most restaurants and shops accept cards, but smaller boat operators and beach attendants may prefer cash. The island has one ATM at Marina Grande and one near the Piazzetta; both have queues in summer.

There is no direct camping on Capri. Budget visitors typically day-trip from Naples or Sorrento, where accommodation costs a fraction of on-island prices. If you want to stay overnight without the premium hotel prices, Anacapri has more affordable guesthouses than Capri town.

A round-island boat trip combined with a Blue Grotto visit and a walk to Villa Jovis makes a full day. Trying to fit everything into a standard day trip from Naples or Sorrento results in a rushed and crowd-heavy experience — the island rewards an overnight stay.