1. hiking in Capri

On foot you can experience the island from its most beautiful side. ©Unsplash

 

If you want to experience Capri at your own pace, be sure to go for a walk or hike. Several beautiful paths cover the island. Some of them lead directly along the coast and offer unique views. On the way, tree-shaded paths alternate with stairs. In any case, you will cover enough altitude. If you want to go even higher, you can take the comfortable chairlift to Monte Solaro, the highest point of the island, in Anacapri. Once at the top, the view falls over gardens, meadows and the sea, where sailboats anchor peacefully in the sun.

 

2. enjoy dolce vita in the old town

Aperitivo under the watchful church of St. Stefano. ©Shutterstock

 

The place to meet in Capri is Piazza Umberto I. Also known to locals as La Piazzetta (little square), the famous square is located in the heart of the historic centre. To enjoy the famous dolce vita, it's best to order an aperitivo, sit back and just observe. For example, the iconic bell tower, the many inscriptions and the church of Santo Stefano come into view. 

 

3. visit the most famous beach club in Capri

The descent is worth it. ©La Fontelina

 

The setting couldn't be more spectacular: blue and white umbrellas on craggy rocks, crystal clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the sun beaming down from the sky. No question, Fontelina Beach Club is worth seeing. So it's little wonder that Hollywood stars, artists and politicians love to retreat here. But it's not just the view of the deck chair next to your own that is worthwhile. You should also let your gaze wander into the distance: the Fontelina Beach Club is located directly opposite the Faraglioni.

Read more: These beach clubs in Europe you should know

 

4. sailing around the Faraglioni and to the Grotta Azzura

No swimming allowed! ©Shutterstock

 

What would an island be without a boat? In fact, sailing around the island is one of the most beautiful experiences. It also brings you close to the four needle-shaped rock formations - Faraglioni - in the Gulf of Naples. In the northwest of the island, the famous Grotta Azzurra awaits. You access it through a rock hole in the sea about 1.5 meters high. Those who wish to enter it must transfer to a smaller boat before. The sight of the luminous water is unique.

 

5. discover elegant boutiques

Big brands, small boutiques. ©Shutterstock

 

The island may be small - but the brands that have set up boutiques here are all the larger. They have settled mainly in the triangle between the Piazetta, Via Camerelleand Via Le Botteghe. In Anacapri, along Via Giuseppe Orlandi, you can find some wonderful craft stores. When souvenir shopping, three things should definitely end up in your shopping bags: limoncello, Capri sandals and perfume.

 

6. cruise across the island in style

All that's missing is a headscarf and sunglasses ... ©Shutterstock

 

What better way to explore such a glamorous island than in a convertible cab? Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts! Quickly knot your bandana under your chin and put on your sunglasses, and you're off in style through the streets of Capri. Beautiful views, secluded bays, lush nature: all this comes on top of the ride.

 

7. breathe history in Villa San Michele

View of the port of Capri from the colonnade. ©Shutterstock

 

The famous Swedish doctor Axel Munthe had this beautiful villa built in Anacapri in the 1890s. It is the main subject of the best-selling 1929 book The Book of San Michele. Worth seeing is its colonnade, the views and the many beautiful architectural details. Today it is owned by Sweden and is open to tourists.

 

8. stroll in the Giardino di Augusto

Painted ceramic tiles are everywhere, and not just in the gardens of Augustus. ©Shutterstock

 

Very close to the city centre lie the Gardens of Augustus (Giardini di Augusto). They were initiated by the German industrialist Friedrich Alfred Krupp in the early 20th century. They consist of a series of terraces and offer wonderful views of Via Krupp and the bay of Marina Piccola. And the botany? Impressive, of course.

 

9. turn night into day

When the sun goes down, the party crowd of Capri wakes up. They are preferably found in the Taverna Anema e Core. The famous club offers hot beats and cool drinks and is considered an institution on the island. And it has been for almost 30 years.