Capri - Itineraries

Itineraries

The island of Capri has been inhabited by man since pre-historic times. Traces of primitive man which were found in the caves and now conserved in the museums.
Both emperors Augustus and Tiberius chose Capri as their island retreat and, to this very day, it is possible to admire the remains of the sumptuous villas built for their vacations on the Isola Azzurra.
In the 1600’s a fortified charterhouse was built, the Charterhouse of St Giacomo, where the monks produced perfumes, exploiting the essences extracted from the flowers growing on the island of Capri.
The name Capri and the fame of the island was rapidly disseminated in the 1800’s, when artists, writers, musicians and intellectuals participating in the Grand Tour “discovered” the destination, finding on the isle inspiration for numerous works.
Capri, in addition to being blessed with an incredible natural beauty, boasts a history which increases even further the appeal of the island.
Visitors to Capri are often surprised by the quantity and variety of walking routes on such a small island. Along these pathways, tourists can choose to immerse themselves in the authentic atmosphere of a coastal village, inhabited by fishermen and sailors; explore the marine caves; walk through masses of sheer rock and peer over precipices which drop dramatically into the sea; saunter through the patches of land cultivated by the country dwellers, planted with olive groves and orchards of lemon and orange trees; or stroll through the center of Capri with its ostentatiously luxurious boutiques, elegant hotels, artists studios, churches, and the remains of Roman villas.
One of the magical things about Capri is that, even in peak season in August, when the roads are crowded with tourists, one can always find a solitary spot in which to rest, or a hidden bay where to take a swim in the crystal clear waters.

From Capri – the "Piazzetta" is the departure point

The Piazzetta, Piazza Umberto I, is the undisputed center of the island of Capri, for both tourists and locals, and anybody arriving on the island of Capri will find themselves, sooner rather than later, squeezing through the narrow spaces left free between the tables placed outside the bars, bars where residents meet for lunch or simply for a chat.
The Piazzetta is where the town market was once held and the epicentre of Island trading; the Piazzetta, has now been transformed, with the addition of its exclusive bars, in to the “world’s sitting room”. Indeed, each and every day one can order a coffee or aperitif in the company of famous politicians and intellectuals of world wide repute.
The Piazzetta di Capri is the ideal starting point for any itinerary on the island of Capri, the perfect place where to arrange to meet with walking companions, comfortably waiting for their arrival under the large umbrellas, sipping a fresh drink or savoring a delicious homemade ice cream.

1 - The Gardens of Augustus – The Charterhouse

From the Piazzetta of Capri, passing by the luxury boutiques, one heads towards the Charterhouse of St Giacomo, ex monstery dating back to the thirteen hundreds, and the panoramic Gardens of Augustus.

2 - Tragara - Pizzolungo - Natural Arch

Via Tragara is a road of ancient origins built in Roman times, now a favorite route along which tourists stroll and the address of a number of luxurious villas.

3 - Via Le Botteghe - Viewpoint of Piazzetta delle Noci - Natural Arch

Via Le Botteghe commences in the Piazzetta of Capri. Climbing up past medieval buildings, one reaches Monte Tuoro and the viewpoint of Piazzetta delle Noci, from where to observe a superb panorama and the Paleolithic “sculpture” formed by the Natural Arch.

4 - Church of the Croce - Villa Lysis - Villa Jovis

From the Piazzetta of Capri, past houses built on Greek walls, and of evident Medieval construction, one walks towards the high part of Capri, where to discover Count Fersen’s Villa Lysis, and Villa Jovis, where Tiberius decided the destiny of the Roman Empire.

5 - Via Roma - Via Marina Piccola - Marina Piccola

From the center of Capri, a pleasant walk leading to the beach of Marina Piccola and the Scoglio delle Sirene, past a series of historic villas.

6 - Piazzetta Cerio - Convent of Saint Teresa - Punta Cannone Viewpoint

From the Piazzetta of Capri, a pleasant walk through the narrow lanes of Medieval Capri leads to an antique courtyard of the Teresian Nuns and the viewpoint of Punta Canone with a incomparable vista stretching out over the sea.

7 - Descent to Marina Grande by foot - Church of St. Costanzo - Palazzo a Mare - Baths of Tiberius

Descent to Marina Grande by foot, Church of St. Costanzo, Palazzo a Mare.

Perilious itineraries

The following itineraries are a little different than your average tourist route, used predominantly by the locals, and botanists, explorers and zoologists rather than holiday makers. Sections of the alks require both agility and ability. Those attempting the walks are strongly advised to wear suitable clothing, with walking boots, full length trousers and, given that there are no refreshment points on the routes, to pack a supply of water and a little food (the prefect occasion to organize a picnic among friends!).

Perilious itineraries

Grotta del Castiglione. Grotta dell'Arsenale. From Villa Lysis to Villa Jovis. From Belvedere Tuoro to Piazzetta delle Noci. Cetrella and Monte Solaro.

From Anacapri

Anacapri is the highest part of the island of Capri, the first Medieval structure was built at Capodimonte, “at the top of the mountain”, close to the principal gateway of the town, which blocked the entrance to those climbing up via the Phoenician steps, the ancient flight of steps which linked the two districts, and the port with the high part of the island of Capri. The inhabited area extended gradually up to the quarters of Caprile and the Boffe. Anacapri still maintains a quite idyllic dimension which, in the past, attracted a host of French and British artists. At the start of the nineteen hundreds painters such as Attilio Pratella, Antonino Leto, Giuseppe Casciaro, Carlo Sivitero; the Swedish Physician Axel Munthe; Giovanni Papini, Ada Negri, Claude Debussy and Graham Greene all spent long periods of time here.
The natural beauty of Anacapri is one of the most appealing attractions of the area: the flora consists in a vast number of plant species, both indigenous and imported, including subtropical species as agave and euphorbia. The Mediterranean foliage provides a fabulous display of color and texture. Here one finds mastic, myrtle and oak trees. The particularly favorable climate has allowed for the adaptation of plants from distant climbs such as bougainvillea from Brazil, wisteria from China, cicas from Japan, and the Indian Fig from Mexico. As far as the fauna is concerned, one can observe a number of fascinating invertebrates such as the scarabaeus rhinoceroses (called Vaccarella ‘I San Giuvann’ - the Cow of St John by the islanders), butterflies, lizards, and geckos.

1 - Monte Solaro

From Anacapri towards Monte Solaro, the highest part of the Island of Capri.

2 - Villa San Michele and Axel Munthe.

Villa San Michele in Anacapri was the home of the Swedish physician, Axel Munthe.

3 - Casa Rossa. Church of San Michele and Santa Sofia

A walk through the historic center of Anacapri.

4 - Damecuta - Grotta Azzurra

Itinerary by foot to the Grotta Azzurra, starting in Anacapri, stopping off along the way at the archaeological site of Villa Damecuta, an ancient Roman Villa.

5 - Torre Materita - Punta Carena and the lighthouse

From the center of Anacapri to Punta Carena, a bathing resort right on the sea's edge, guarded by famous lighthouse towering above it.

6 - The Migliera and the Tuono viewpoint.

The relaxing stroll along the Migliera leads to the Tuono viewpoint, right on the cliff edge.

7 - I Fortini (the Forts)

The Sentiero dei Fortini pathway starts close to the Grotta Azzurra and, through a marvelous uncontaminated landscape, terminates at Punta Carena.