8 Favorite Things To Do on the Island of Capri

The island of Capri, while known as a destination for the rich and famous, is more than just that. This past summer, we finally took a day trip to the island from Positano and discovered that Capri also boasts striking views, well-preserved Roman villas, and beautiful gardens.

For more insights on Capri, I reached out to Gillian McGuire, a regular visitor, to share some insider tips on the island. Here are her favorite things to do.

Capri energy drink

When I go to Capri for a day trip I wake up thinking about this drink. When we are staying on Capri for a few days, I sometimes have one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Made to order with freshly squeezed orange juice and tart, icy, lemon granita. You can just feel all that vitamin C. It is also indescribably delicious and refreshing. The granita is made with lemons are all grown on the island.

You will find the small stand at the beginning of via Matteotti, just before the Carthusia perfume factory and the Gardens of Augustus.

Carthusia Perfume

One of the very first things I do as soon as I get off the ferry at the Marina Grande in Capri, is head up the hill, past the buzz of the Piazzetta and straight to the Perfume factory of Carthusia.

Making perfume since 1681 only with products sourced from the island of Capri this is the perfect spot to find a little something to bring back that will extend your time spent in this very special place.

Everything is beautifully packaged and in a variety of sizes – from tiny carry on friendly to extravagant gift sized.

There are four shops scattered about the island:

Website: http://www.carthusia.it
Viale Matteotti 2D
Via Camerelle 10
Via Federico Serena 28
Via Axel Munthe 26 – Anacapri

Augustus Gardens

Just past Carthusia Perfume and the Capri Energy Drink kiosk and before the winding via Krupp is a small garden that you should not miss. The Augustus Gardens were established by the German industrialist Friedrich Alfred Krupp in the early twentieth century and known as the Krupp Gardens until 1918.

The gardens, with a few levels of terraces overlooking the sea, are filled with colorful ornamental plants and flowers such as geraniums, dahlias and brooms and incredible views.

Emanuela Caruso

There are any number of places to chose a handcrafted, on the spot,  Capri style sandal.  My pick is the very elegant Emanuela Caruso on via Fuorlovado, 28. Simple and sparkly, the styles are the perfect mix of beachy chic.

An Early Morning Wander in Anacapri

Anacapri is the slightly sleepier, more relaxed side of the glamorous island of Capri.

Take an early morning walk through the centro storico on your way to the beach club, Il Faro. If you are lucky, you will catch the  mozzarella delivery truck as the small town comes to life on an early morning.

Make sure to stop at the Casa Rossa, once owned by an American Civil War era colonel, and has as its motto Hail Citizens of the Land of Leisure.

Buses to Anacapri depart on a regular basis from Capri and, less frequently, from Marina Grande. If you are not afraid of heights sit on the right side of the bus and take in the dizzying view as it climbs up to the town.

Anacapri’s main bus stop is in Piazza Vittoria, a little square surrounded by souvenir shops, restaurants and bars.

A Day at the Beach

Capri is an island surrounded by clear turquoise and teal colored waters. What Capri doesn’t have is sand.  There are a number of beach clubs that make the most of limited beach space and rocky coves. One of the most elegant is Il Faro at the far end of the Anacapri side of the island.

A more casual, family day out can be had at Bagni Tiberio. Both places have sun loungers to rent, a bar for a quick snack or full service restaurants for a long and lazy lunch.

Bagni Tiberio Via Palazzo a Mare, 41

Il Faro Località Punta Carena

Cocktail hour in the Piazzetta

Al Piccolo Bar was the first bar in the famous La Piazzetta. Sunset is when the day trippers disappear and Capri come out to see and be seen. Grab a chair and watch the high fashion outfits go by.

White coated waiters bring you cold martinis on silver coasters. This bar serves an excellent club sandwich too. All of the bars in the Piazzetta are great spots for people watching. This one is just a tiny bit better.

Midnight Gelato

You can smell the enticing aromas from the top of the very elegant via Camerelle. Buonocore is a historic gelateria and pastry shop that makes their own cones throughout the day and late into the night. I love to come here after a long after dinner walk and join the crowds for a midnight gelato.

There are wonderful pastries and ready made meals available here too. There are two locations, one in the center of town at Via Vittorio Emanuele 35 and one at the Marina Grande.

Have you been to Capri? Share your tips in the comments below.

Author’s bio: A lifetime beach girl at heart, Gillian McGuire lives in Rome and have fallen in love with the Amalfi Coast. Luckily it is a very easy drive from Rome and she has been able to make many trips since moving to Italy in 2006. She has spent the most time in Positano and Capri, but explore a little more of this incredible part of Italy with each trip south. For more of her Amalfi Coast picks, download the app Amalfi Coast Travel Essentials.