
Capri, known in Greek mythology as the isle of the sirens, was a favored resort of the Roman emperors. Most notoriously, the emperor Tiberius had his villa on the island, the location (supposedly) of debauched orgies. Those who displeased the emperor were flung to their deaths from the cliffs. The island is world famous and is very touristy, especially when swamped with tourists in July & August, but other times of year it is calmer and more relaxing
The isle of Capri is the setting for William Somerset Maugham's The Lotus Eater, a short story in which the Bostonian protagonist arrives in Capri on holiday, wherein he is so enchanted by the place that he abandons his job and decides to spend the rest of his life in leisure on the island.
Hike Take one of the public footpaths which let you reach for instance the "Arco Naturale" and other beautiful sights which the large majority of tourists will only see from their boat trips around the island. Some of these paths are very steep and you need to walk up and down long stairs sometimes. The map you can buy for a small fee at the main tourist office in the harbor shows most of the footpaths. However, it is difficult to get lost on such a small island.
From April to the end of the summer, the island also comes to life from an artistic and cultural point of view. Concerts are organized almost every evening in the squares or the splendid villas built by Tiberius, as well as painting and sculpture exhibitions, plays and dance performances. This wonderful island is a destination that attracts visitors of all nationalities!
Arco Naturale-- Natural arch in the landscape reachable by a beautiful hike around the southern edge of Capri.
Sunrise - If you take the early ferry from Naples (the one at 6.45 a.m), then as you travel to Capri, the sun rises over the mountains. The sky turns from deep violet to pink to orange to gold. It is an amazingly beautiful sight, certainly worth waking up at the ungodly hour!
It is reached in about 40 minutes by hydrofoil from the port of Ischia or Forio, docking at Marina Grande on the north side of the island. There are also boats from Naples (20/day, €16, 40 minutes) and from Sorrento (15/day, €12, 20 minutes). Boats are operated by Caremar and SNAV
From Marina Grande, a funicular goes up to Capri Town, and boats leave for the Blue Grotto. The fourth store to the right of the funicular provides baggage storage for €2.50/day per bag, from 8:30-6:00. Tickets for buses, funicular, and return boats are for sale at kiosks, along with public toilets. The Tourist Information office offers €1.00 maps, open daily April to October 8:30-8:30pm, November to March monday to sunday 9:00-1:00 & 3:30-6:30. The Bar Augusto has internet access from 6:00am-8:00pm
The roads are very narrow and quite dangerous. Bus travel is for the brave!
Some restaurants, especially around the town center, can be VERY expensive. A good alternative: go to the local grocery store (one near the port, another in Anacapri) and make your own delicious sandwiches. Cafes at the harbour are particularly bad (a can of coke will cost €5, while the same thing can be bought from a food shop in the town for €1).