Capri Island, Italy

The beautiful and history steeped island of Capri, Italy.

Why is Capri Island famous? It's got a long history and beautiful views, why wouldn't it be. Capri Island should be on your bucket list.

Harbour & Ferries

The harbour is relatively small with mostly a ferry and a few tour boats docked, if you wish to take a trip to Capri or Ischia this is the place to go from. You must book at the kiosk before boarding. If you choose to get the big ferries that the locals use there are two companies - SNAV and Caremar, you don't save anything buying a return ticket so my advice would be to buy a single then you are not tied into waiting for that company to return, bear in mind the ferry at 5.45 pm will be busy!

Check the prices before you go here and then buy when you are there. 

Capri

The story goes a little like this, although some may have lived on the island it is said that Capri was first discovered by emperor Augustus taking it from Naples to build his very own palace on the island. Tiberius then ruled the empire including Capri building villas including the famous Villa Jovis - worth a visit if you have time. By the middle ages, San Costanzo arrived later became the patron saint of the island and a cathedral was later built on his gravesite. Over the centuries the island was attacked and taken over by many settlers including the Spanish, English and French. In 1826 the Blue Grotto was rediscovered, this is something I would have loved to see having had the time.

You really need a day to see Capri as there is so much to see, unfortunately, we didn't have a day, only a few hours. The ferry took 30 minutes and a one-way ticket cost between €16.90 and €20.70.

The beach by the harbour is mostly cobbled, having said that it was packed with people and water volleyball games were being played in the sea. Restaurants line the harbour with the odd shop dotted in between them.

Funicolare

You can ride the funicolare from Marina Grande and the Piazzetta in Capri town above and generally run every 15 minutes taking up to 70 passengers a time. The ride is around 4 minutes long and costs €2.00 each way - very affordable. You could walk back down taking the stairs behind the Piazzetta, it will take you around 15 minutes. You can find the timetable here.

The famous public square is known as Piazza Umberto, locally known as a chiazz or piazza, you can hear the clock tower chime every 15 minutes throughout the day and if you're lucky you'll spot a member of the 'rich and famous club' as this is where celebrities like to hang out.

 Cost

Well as a day trip it is what you make of it, spend the whole day you can add meals, tours and attractions, as it was we only spent the afternoon there. Between the ferry, the funicolore, some drinks, grapes from a local shop and some souvenirs we spent less than €100, the ferry eating up most of that.