Free walking tours in Capri and what to see

Must-sees

Capri is a rocky island at the entrance to the Bay of Naples, with two towns: Capri and Anacapri. You arrive by boat at Marina Grande and from there the funicular climbs to the Piazzetta, the centre of social life. Narrow streets lead from it to the Gardens of Augustus, with views of the sea stacks and Via Krupp, which zigzags down to Marina Piccola. A longer walk takes you to the Arco Naturale and Villa Jovis, the residence of Emperor Tiberius.

In Anacapri, which is quieter, you can take the chairlift up Monte Solaro, with views over the whole island, and visit Villa San Michele, the home of Swedish doctor Axel Munthe, with its garden above the sea. The Blue Grotto is visited by rowing boat when the sea allows, and a boat trip round the island shows you the sea stacks, grottoes and cliffs from the water.

Free tours and guided visits

Civitatis has no free walking tour on Capri, but there are several ways to see the island. The most popular is the boat trip round the coast, also by gozzo, the traditional boat, to go into the caves. There is a hop-on hop-off bus combined with a boat, kayak and paddle-board outings to explore the coves, and the ferry from Naples if you are going independently. Full-day trips also run from Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.

How long to spend

On a day trip there is time for the boat tour, the Piazzetta, the Gardens of Augustus and a quick trip up to Anacapri, although it is rushed. To enjoy the walks to Villa Jovis or the Arco Naturale, Monte Solaro and the Blue Grotto without stress, two or three days is ideal. Bear in mind that the boats depend on the state of the sea.

Where to stay

Staying on the island is worth it: in the evening the day visitors leave and the atmosphere changes a lot. In Capri, around the Piazzetta, are the most elegant hotels and the shops. Anacapri is quieter and has more guesthouses. Marina Grande is practical for arriving and leaving by boat, and Marina Piccola is next to the bathing spots in the south.