Location: Anacapri
Top Things to do in Anacapri
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What to do and see in Anacapri, Italy: The Best Places and Tips
Anacapri is a comune on the island of Capri, in the Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy. The Ancient Greek prefix ana- means "up" or "above", signifying that Anacapri is located at a higher elevation on the island than Capri (about 150 m higher on average). Administratively, it has a separate status from the city of Capri. The most significant site in the village is the Villa San Michele.
Restaurants in Anacapri
1. Mount Solaro
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
From Piazza della Vittoria you can take a breathtaking chairlift to the top of Mount Solaro, the highest point on Capri at 1,932 feet.
Reviewed By wmccfp - Stuart, Florida
The lift up is enjoyable with many photo ops. Once at the summit there are 360 degrees of beautiful views. If the weather isn't great you probably won't enjoy the ride up or down or the views and there's nothing else but the views.
2. Fortini Coastal Walk
Overall Ratings
5 based on 139 reviews
Reviewed By einarse - Bodø, Norway
I had the pleasure to re-walk this lovely coast-line, and for the first time, I also entered all the forts along the way.
The walk follows the coastline, but be prepared for some uphill and downhill walking along the way. It is always safe to walk, although somewhat rough paths, may be a bit muddy or rocky, and therefore not like a smooth pavement. Good shoes are recommended.
On my two previous visits, I have started by the Faro (lighthouse) and walked north to the Grotta Azzurra. This time, I took the trip the other way around. First I started walking down from Anacapri along the old roads/trails to Grotta Azzurra, not the modern bus road. The small streets were lovely to follow, but slightly boring that people in Italy are very found of high fences, so little chance to enjoy many of the Gardens.
A bit away from the centre of the town, the road went steeply downhill, and with a lovely view. At the end of the driving road (for small vehicles only), the trail continued as a rough staircase followed by a trail near the Grotta Azzurra. The trail at the bottom of the staircase was regrettably somewhat slippery (heavy rain two days earlier), although I managed not to fall. Maybe this was the reason why this trip was not recommended by the tourist office? I see no reason else why it was not recommended, it was else a lovely walk.
The Fortini coastal walk from Grotta Azzurra was easy to find, just a bit up the road, and most of the time, very nicely marked with signs. Also lovely decorated with tiles giving information about flowers and bushes along the way, some historical information at the forts and also some information about the fishes and whales in the sea below.
Only once or twice, I was not sure where to go, maybe because walkers have made new paths that was not present when the coastal walk was build. At least once, this seems to be the case, when the trail made a 90 degree turn and up some stairs, it seems that quite many had gone straight forward instead.
I felt quite exhausted at the end. The hill upwards at the end, up to the main road was really 'killing' me, although this time, I went over to the fort about halfway up the way go give my legs a break. I think the trip the other way may be easier, not so steep hills near Grotta Azzurra (not at least if you take the bus back to Anacapri).
If you will not be as tired as I was when you come to the end of the coastal walk, at the Faro, you could continue up the old staircase to get lovely view from the old watch tower, before returning to Anacapri along the narrow roads. (Or alternatively, walk down these roads to the Faro before you start on the coastal walk.) But for me, the bus uphill was a great relief for my painful legs.
3. Villa San Michele
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By LouiseN_10 - Melbourne, Australia
Axel Munthe was a famous Swedish doctor amongst other things. His life story is recorded in the book The Story of San Michele. He built this magnificent home in Anacapri after falling in love with the island. See the home, read the book. Both are Fantastic, in the true sense of the word. It's hard to separate reality from fantasy but it's a brilliant read and an exquisite home that he built for himself. The award winning Gardens are a treat in themselves with Eqyptian Sphinx overlooking the Bay of Naples. Don't miss it!
4. Chiesa San Michele
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 521 reviews
Church from the 17th century with its notable San Michele statue and splendid antique ceramic floor.
Reviewed By Steve25_12 - Esher, United Kingdom
We came across this whilst walking through the historic centre of Anacapri and reluctantly paid our €1 each (having been "churched out"). However pleased that we did as the floor was amazing especially when viewed from upstairs gallery.
Not worth a special trip but if in the area then go and see it
5. Scala Fenicia (Phoenician Steps)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 201 reviews
Reviewed By Rantin rover - Biggar, United Kingdom
Scoring goals is easy if you are Christiano Renaldo; tennis comes easy to Roger Federer; and walking up or down the Scala Fenicia (Phoenician Steps) is easy too if you’re reasonably fit. Take this into account when Reading reviews of this attraction and don’t be misled by comments that make it sound like a walk in the park. It’s a big hill and there are lots of steps - apparently over 900 of them - we didn’t count.
We’ve walked it twice (with many years between), on both occasions going downhill from Anacapri. That way you’re facing the view and not the mountain which to us is preferable…and perhaps it’s slightly less tiring on the knees (although not much). My wife has had various knee operations, the last of which was in January 2017, and she managed to do it with no ill effects.
Starting point for going up the way is to head to the bus station along from Marina Grande and follow the coastal road (via Marina Grande). As it curves uphill you come to a bus stance and just beyond here there is a sign for “Scala Fenicia” in tiles on the wall. Go up the stairs and keep going. The stairs are eventually split by the road as it winds up the hillside, just cross over with care.
If you choose to come down the way, the starting point for the descent is just beyond Villa San Michele which is at the opposite end of the narrow walkway leading from the base of the chairlift to Monte Solaro (via Capodimonte).
There are great views over Capri harbour and the surrounding area and it’s a bit of exercise which saves a wait on a bus or a cab fare. We found a few bits of the path in the lower section have been damaged and hopefully this will be attended to out of season. Most recently on reaching the bottom we stopped off at Ristorante da Gemma for a very good lunch and some refreshments.
The mountain has netting to reduce the risk of being hit by rockfall, a comfort which the women didn’t have originally when tramping up and down the steps with water prior to this being pumped up to Anacapri. You may wish to take some of your own if it’s hot.
6. Parco Filosofico dell'Isola di Capri
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By morley1966 - Chichester, United Kingdom
Our cheeky Italian skipper told us that if you kiss all the way through, you will have eternal love. He then added that if there were any single ladies, they could kiss him. this place is so beautiful, was one of the highlights of our visit.
7. Santa Maria a Cetrella
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By EBJ400 - Whitman, Massachusetts
It's been awhile but if you decide to go to Naples you have to take a boat ride to Capri and after you see the Blue Grotto which is a must if you are there, then to go to the top of the mountain to one of the oldest churches in this region. Spend some time and experience the history and view inside and out...yes you will be enchanted by the majesty and awe of the place!
Say a prayer for me and I hope it inspires you to go...consider proposing to your sweetheart there!
8. Blue Grotto
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3 reviews
The must-see attraction on Capri is the magical Blue Grotto, where visitors take a boat ride through a natural cavern that is filled with an ethereal and eerie light reflecting on the (very blue) water.
Reviewed By robzAdelaide - Adelaide
This was a shore excursion day trip from Naples to the Isle of Capri with lunch.
There is a 1 & 1/2 hr wait on the wharf for the boat pick up to take you out to the Blue Grotto. There seems to be no semblence of order as to who goes next. We had a reasonable lunch at the as part of the deal If you use this tour, you see little of the island if The Blue Grotto is a must do to on your bucket list. You can't do both sightseeing and the grotto in the time allowed so as not not to miss the next ferry back to the Mainland. While waiting for the small row boat to take you to the floating cash, register where you pay your " entrance fee " again no semblance of order to be taken to the entrance.
The oarsman skilfully waits for the right moment to " catch " a receding lull in the wave to pull the boat through a narrow entry by chains There are long waits in the port & the Blue Grotto . Once inside, you are there for a maximum 3-4 minutes BUT it is worth the wait where Emperor Tiberius enjoyed his moment there . Bus drivers are exceptionally skilled in their driving leaving cm's between cars parked on the side of the road. The ferry crossing to the isle of capri from the Naples port is 1 hr.
9. Punta Carena Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By einarse - Bodø, Norway
The lighthouse is in a very nice area of Anacapri, at the start (or end) of the very nice walk path along the west coast of the island. Also a nice walk along the old Via vecchia di Faro from Caprile (Anacapri town) to the Faro lighthouse (note that this is partly road, partly tall steps), where you can take the bus back to Anacapri.
The lighthouse has no public access (as far as I know), but there is great view over the ocean and also a bathing area (summer time only) next to the lighthouse.
10. Casa Rossa
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 171 reviews
Reviewed By chitownsam - Chicago, Illinois
If you go to Villa San Michele first, you can present your ticket stub for a discounted price of 1 Euro rather than 3.50 Euro. Didn't see that pricing listed anywhere at Casa Rossa. House is certainly eccentric, a hodgepodge of various architectural styles. You can either climb the stairs or take the elevator all the way up to the 4th floor Terrace. There are panoramic views over the town, towards the mountain as well as out to the Bay. There are a relatively small number of paintings and photographs of the area on the lower 3 floors. Highlight is probably the 4 ancient statues recovered from the Blue Grotto. MacKowen, a former American Confederate officer, wanted to build a path to the Blue Grotto but was turned down by town officials as it would have reduced islanders tourist income from the boat trips.
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