Capri lives up to its reputation as a scenic delight
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Capri is a rugged but beautiful island that sits at the
southern end of the Bay of Naples.
(Click the map on Capri to center it, then select Hybrid to see the
island in a satellite view with the roads overlaid on the image. Zoom the map to
see greater detail.)
Yes, the name is pronounced CAPri with the emphasis on CAP - this is not a Monty
Pythonesque mispronunciation.
Served by high speed catamarans
and conventional ferries from Naples and Sorrento, Capri is a
great place for a brief vacation (and that may be all most of us can
afford).
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You should know that Capri has a reputation
as the home of exclusive and high priced resorts, although you can find
relative bargains if your reserve well in advance. In summer, the island
virtually hums with the motion of day-visitors from Naples.
The best seasons for solitude are spring and early fall, but if you
must visit during summer, stay a couple of days to experience this wonderful island
during the late afternoons and evening when the hordes of tourists have
left, that is - when it is at
its best.
Capri's history dates back to the Bronze Age and
the island was well-known to the Greeks. Its notoriety
markedly increased when the Roman Emperors Augustus and Tiberius chose to
build villas on the island. In modern times, Capri continues
to be
known for the high life and the luxe- resorts and spas that dot its
landscape. |
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If you are interested in Italy, its people, history, economy and geography, visit our section:
Italy
Country Facts
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Tips
on driving, facts about health care and other Tourist Tips
for traveling in Italy can be found
here. |
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The town of Capri starts at the Marina
Grande and extends up the slope to the other side of the island
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The Capri coast is very beautiful, but like many coastlines, it is best seen
from the water. If you have time, take a cruise that circles the
island for several stunning panoramas. The voyage will take a couple of hours,
but should be well worth you time. Another popular tour is boating to the
Blue Grotto, which is known for its cavern containing a deep, azure pool.
The ruins of several the villas created by Tiberius Caesar (the Villa Jovis
(Jupiter's Villa), the villa of Damacuta and the Palazzo a Mare) are scattered
throughout the island. While you might be inclined to see them during a walking
tour, doing so can be strenuous due to Capri's
topography. The villas and other roman buildings were damaged during past occupations of the island by the French and British, who sought to use the
island as a strategic base for naval operations.
Capri and Anacapri are the island's two towns and both are supported by
tourism. Although there is little compelling about Anacapri, it does offer
access to great views of the island, the Bay of Naples and the Sorrento Coast.
The Faraglioni Rocks in Capri provide
some of the island's most
famous scenery |
If you tire of Capri, you might be interested in Ischia, a lower cost
alternative located to the north. Ischia does not have the
attractiveness of Capri (it is volcanic in origin, while Capri is
sandstone), nor the price tag. Ischia has a separate set of charms and is a
delightful place to spend a few days getting away from it all. Of course, Augustus Caesar traded
Ischia to the
Neapolitans (who really could not say "no") for Capri and few doubt
the Emperor got the best of the deal.
A view of Ischia, a modest, peaceful, volcanic island
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If you need information about another travel destination, try Googling our site or the Web
Best Places to Visit in Italy
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| Click here for the
website
provided
by
the Capri Tourist Board. |
Best Places to Visit in Italy
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