The picturesque Island of Capri has long been a destination sought out by emperors, jet setters, and day trippers alike.  Although there are a couple of other islands in the Bay of Naples, Capri consistently attracts the majority of visitors from Naples and the Amalfi Coast.  

During a long weekend in Naples, we included a day trip to Capri like countless other travelers to the region.

Famed for its Blue Grotto and breathtaking cliff side views, its easy to see why it was adored by old Hollywood stars like Grace Kelly and Liz Taylor.  It was my second trip and going through these pictures makes me yearn to return and stay overnight.   

There are several ferry options from Naples.  Depending on the time of day, the high speed ferry costs about 20 Euros for the 45 minute trip.  Recommend arriving early to the port to purchase your ticket or pre-booking online.  The lines were pretty long even at off-peak times.

Once in Capri, you can book a boat trip around the island from the Marina Grande.  Some boat tours include a stop at the Blue Grotto (depends on the weather and number of visitors).  This time we decided not to try rushing through a boat tour and island exploration in one day.  Instead, we spent most of the time in Anacapri (town at the top of the island) to enjoy the views and wander around the boutiques and cliff side villas.  

Found this old picture from my first trip, which has faded so much that it doesn’t really do justice to the view from the boat tour (another reason to return).  I probably also still own the pair of Capri pants I bought during that trip.   

A funicular from the marina will get you to the main square in Capri.  From there a local bus ride (filled with hairpin turns and gorgeous views) takes you to the town of Anacapri.   

Villa San Michele – Anacapri

Villa San Michele was built on the site of ruins from one of Emperor Tiberius’ villa.  Tiberius had several villas in Capri (just a few of the perks of imperial life).  Villa San Michele was the home of Swedish physician Axel Munthe.  Trained in France, Munthe helped treat the 1884 cholera epidemic in Naples and also served as a confidante and advisor to the Queen of Sweden.

Munthe even wrote a best-seller about the villa.  The interior is open for viewing, but its really the breathtaking views from the garden that attract visitors.  

The gardens are filled with Roman and Egyptian antiquities.

After returning to the main town of Capri, we decided to walk off our lunch. We skipped the funicular on the way down to the Marina for the return ferry to Naples.  The views on the way down are just as amazing.