Where to Stay, Dine, and Visit

Set off into the sunny isles of Capri with our travel guide for the best places to stay, dine, and visit.

Set in Italy’s Bay of Naples is the glamorous island of Capri. At 10 square kilometres in size, it may be a small island, but it has something for everyone. Not only is this island beloved for its chic hotels, fun beach clubs, and shopping to match, but its rugged landscape and the turquoise waters also mean it delivers style, as well as beauty.

With its host of Michelin-starred restaurants specialising in authentic Mediterranean cuisine and history-rich museums and villas, Capri appeals to both foodies and culture vultures. Remember to pick up some local limoncello and handmade leather sandals — a favorite of Jackie Kennedy’s. Notably, Capri is also the island of fun fashion pop-ups, parties, and takeovers. Visitors can expect such pop-ups from storied fashion houses like Jacquemus, Dior, and Chanel; notably, the island has been a source of inspiration to Monica Vinader.

Capri Travel Guide: Best Hotels, Attractions and Dining Venues

The best time to visit

For a gentle warmth and less crowds, visit from early April to mid-June. It’s also fun to visit in July and August; however, do note that this is peak season, so be prepared to jostle with the other tourists. For the tail end of the season, visit from September to mid-October, when it’s still warm enough to sit outside and explore the island without the blazing heat.

How to reach Capri

The best way to reach the island is to fly into Naples International Airport. If you’re planning to be in Italy for a long period of time, take this opportunity to stay and explore the city. Hotels such as the ROMEO Napoli Hotel, which overlooks the port, or Atelier Ines, a museum-gallery B&B in the heart of the city will add local flavour to your stayover.

Once you are ready, catch a hydrofoil to the island of Capri. If you opt for a ferry instead, look to Alilauro for single and return tickets, which can be purchased via their website. Download the QR code to your phone and show it upon boarding. It takes 50 minutes to reach the island from the Naples port.

Where to stay

Capri Palace Jumeirah

Jumeirah Capri Palace is Jumeirah’s luxurious Italian island resort in the town of Anacapri in Capri and it has it all. From the world’s comfiest beds to Michelin-starred dining and an award-winning spa, it is certainly the place to kick back. The hotel is incredibly serene with an elegant design and atmosphere spread throughout the building and its guestrooms. However, the real pièce de résistance is the Presidential Paltrow Suite. Inspired by Gwyneth Paltrow, the art deco-styled suite offers extensive sea views and comes with its very own private pool and terrace.

Learn more here.

Hotel La Palma

A stylish hotel on the waterfront conveniently located in the heart of the action, Hotel La Palma, which is part of the glamorous Oetker Collection, has a rich heritage that dates back to 1822. Right in the centre of Capri, and only 100 metres from the island’s celebrated La Piazzetta Square, it also features beautiful sea views best taken in from its rooftop bar.

For quiet luxury vibes, check into the La Palma Suite, a peaceful sanctuary adorned in Mediterranean hues of blue and turquoise, the design of which was realised by famed designer Francis Sultana. The largest suite of the hotel, it can be configured into a two or five-bedroom suite measuring over 227sqm. Here, there’s a huge terrace, and even the bathtub has its very own private space and balcony. Additional privileges include a dedicated host and a complimentary day at Da Gioia Beach Club’s private beach in a rock-enclosed cove that can accommodate up to six people.

Learn more here.

Grand Hotel Quisisana

Grand Hotel Quisisana is Capri’s oldest hotel and as you’d expect, comes with an imposing majestic charm. The 5-star, 5-storey resort hotel sits in the heart of Capri, surrounded by private gardens with open views of the sea, and it’s just a few steps from the piazza. Synonymous with style and old-school glamour, it’s attracted the socialite set since its opening in 1860. Rooms and suites are decorated in varying shades of white, Quisisana’s trademark colour, which proves to be the perfect backdrop for the bright blue Mediterranean sky and deep turquoise water framed by every window. Most of the guest rooms look out over the grounds surrounding the hotel swimming pool, but for the best views, check into one of the suites, the Faraglioni, the Charterhouse of San Giacomo, or the Gardens of Augustus as their terraces boast the best views of the sea.

Learn more here.

J.K. Place Capri

With its panoramic views over the Bay of Naples, J.K. Place Capri is conveniently located, only a 5-minute walk from the port. It’s also home to a stylish restaurant, JKitchen that serves up authentic seafood dishes on its terrace. A champion of Neapolitan cuisine, the menu is led by the seasons and the availability of ingredients. An aperitivo or a sundowner in the lounge bar is also a must.

Learn more here.

Attractions and Things to Do

The Arco Naturale

A mark of Capri, Arco Naturale is the natural limestone arch on the east coast of Capri. A piece of history, it dates back to the Paleolithic age and is the remains of a collapsed grotto. This can be seen via boat, or via the Pizzolungo trail, which starts at Via Tragara in Capri town and passes the Grotta di Matermania where the path then becomes narrow and steep. From the grotto, a mere 200 steps separate you from the arch.

Learn more here.

Hire a boat

For a relaxing day out, take in the sights by boat. Besides being easy to book on-site or online, these tours will also conveniently take you to the most famous coastal locations, many of which are only accessible by boat. You’ll see the grottoes, the famous rock formations such as Faraglioni, and Italy’s second-largest lighthouse. Options are available for travellers of all needs: private or in groups, all day or half day. For extra-special sights, opt for a sunset boat tour.

Learn more here.

Detox treatment

Capri Palace Jumeirah is famous for its spa and range of offerings categorised into: Leg School, Nutrition, Beauty Treatments, and Aesthetic Medicine. Developed by Professor Francesco Canonaco, the signature treatment of the spa is the Leg School, which treats vascular problems of the lower limbs; here, clay mud is applied to the legs and wrapped in medicated cold bandages to promote lymphatic microcirculation.

Learn more here.

Where to Eat & Drink

Da Tonino

For a Michelin-star meal, head to the small restaurant that is Da Tonino. Sit on the terrace and enjoy fine Italian fare, Michelin-recommended first courses, and drinks from an extensive wine menu.

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Da Luigi ai Faraglioni

For seafood, cocktails, and a fun atmosphere, Da Luigi ai Faraglioni delivers. It also offers the opportunity to have an alfresco lunch by the foot of the Faraglioni — the infamous Capri landmark. Expect traditional Mediterranean and Caprese dishes, with seafood being the restaurant’s specialty.

Learn more here.

Da Gioia by La Palma

Hotel La Palma’s beach club is open to visitors who are not guests of the hotel. The menu focuses on fresh, locally sourced produce, with Italian classics such as aubergine parmigiana, lobster pasta, and salt-crusted catch of the day on its menu. Da Gioia by La Palma Beach Club offers 42 sun loungers and a discrete beach that can accommodate up to eight guests, that is serviced by a dedicated team. If you’re arriving via yacht, the club is also accessible via private tender.

Learn more here.

Fontelina Beach Club

A beloved celebrity haunt, Fontelina is the only beach club where you can laze on a sun lounger opposite the Faraglioni. It has been run by the Arcucci and Gargiulo families for over 50 years, and together, they have built up a loyal guest following. Reach the restaurant on foot via the steep, downhill path which starts just beneath the Punta Tragara viewing point, or by boat.

Learn more here.

La Villa Verde

Just a few meters away from the famous Piazzetta, La Villa Verde sits flush in the hustle and bustle of the centre. The spacious outdoor terrace is romantic and charming, and this is teamed with friendly service and a traditional Mediterranean menu. Leave room for dessert and be sure to indulge in the restaurant’s extensive wine list.

Learn more here.

Il Riccio Ristorante Anacapri

For refined Mediterranean seafood dishes spearheaded by Executive Chef Salvatore Elefante, look no further than Il Riccio Ristorante Anacapri, which is part of the Jumeirah hotel. The restaurant, which is close to the Blue Grotto, comes complete with a deck that overlooks the sea, and the Michelin Guide has hailed it ias one of Capri’s most iconic addresses.

Learn more here.

Where to Shop

Capri is famous for its high-end shopping, and as such, you’ll find all the designers, specifically along Via Camerelle. The 100-meter stretch which separates the Grand Hotel Quisisana from Via Tragara is home to leading fashion and jewelry houses including Gucci, Valentino, Hermès, Dolce and Gabbana, Chanel, Moncler, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, and Dior. Also of note is the Dior Capri Riccio pop-up by the sea.

Sitting alongside the fashion houses are small artisanal shops selling Capri sandals, for which the island is known. Interestingly, these sandals were also beloved by former US first lady Jackie Kennedy. Handmade and made to order by cobblers who will take measurements of your feet and help you select straps, these sandals are often ready in an hour.

Don’t forget to pick up some artisanal perfume, another signature of the island which dates to the 15th century, as well as limoncello and a chocolatey Torta Caprese.

Arts & Culture Destinations

Villa San Michele

Those who love antiquities must visit the former residence of the Swedish physician Axel Munthe, who was an avid collector of antiques from Roman sites. On show are an array of frescoes from Roman, Egyptian, and Etruscan cultures. Visitors will also have the opportunity to walk through the garden that is guarded by an Egyptian sphynx, boasting views of the Castello Barbarossa, a 15th-century fort.

Learn more here.

Charterhouse of St. Giacomo

Built in 1371 by Giacomo Arcucci, the Charterhouse of San Giacomo is the oldest building on Capri and is a museum dedicated to Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach, a late 19th-century German artist and precursor of the hippie movement. Today, Diefenbach’s work evokes a sense of peace and harmony with nature, and these works are set against the majestic atmosphere of the Charterhouse.

Learn more here.

Centro Caprense Ignazio Cerio

Founded in 1949 by writer and engineer Edwin Cerio and his sister-in-law Mabel Norman, an American painter, this small museum is located within the Piazzetta in Capri town and is dedicated to the island’s botanical, zoological, and archaeological history and patrimony. It houses over 20,000 naturalistic and archaeological finds, mostly from Capri, and is a museum and library, housing documents, maps and photographs that convey the story of Capri. The museum hosts Nobel Prize winners every year and also organises workshops and tours.

Learn more here.

(Main image: Hessam Vakili/Pexels, Yanna Rodrigues/Pexels; featured image: Hessam Vakili/Pexels)