I never understood why but I rarely speak of places where I have always been, or near my house, perhaps because I don’t look at them with the eyes of the travel blogger, I don’t take notes all the time, or I photograph the names of all the hotels I meet.
As anyone who knows me personally knows, my favourite island, surprisingly, is not Bali, but Capri, 16 miles from where I was born, white sandals and lemon scent.
I have been going there since I was six years old. Or at least that is my first memory. It is an island that has gone through all the phases of my life, at sea with the cousins, in a boat with mom and dad, diving, nights at the disco, first weekend with the fiancé at 18 years old telling the lies to my parents, escaping from school, and then the weddings of the friends, the parties, the quarrels and the passionate kisses.
In recent years I go less, maybe once or twice a year, yet every time I have the same twinge in my stomach every time the hydrofoil approaches.
How to reach Capri:
Capri can be reached in 45 minutes by hydrofoil. I would blink, the main connections are from Naples and Salerno. But in the summer, it is also very convenient to go from Amalfi or Positano, Sorrento and Castellammare di Stabia, Ischia, or other Cilento destinations Palinuro or Sapri, so in case you want to see both the coast and the islands you will avoid traffic.
I recommend it from someone who found herself without a ticket several times, on summer weekends it is better to buy the ticket a few days in advance, also because, especially the last Sunday’s I finish immediately. Now you can buy it comfortably online on Traghettilines.it (when I was a kid I used to have a big queue at the box office).
The most beautiful beaches of Capri:
First of all, I wanted to prepare you, do you think you will arrive in Capri and dream of fine sand and long walks? Delete this image from your head. Capri is a volcanic island, and it is practically all overlooking the sea. Woe to you if you say it is ugly because I have had endless discussions with people from the north, we do not enter gently into the water.
We dive or “throw “To put it in Neapolitan most of the” beaches “or perhaps I should say access to the sea, have a platform on which lie the beds or mattresses. There are only a couple of pebble beaches, but they are not my favourites. If you are with friends, rent a goiter if you are on your site, follow my advice, which, of course, is personal and, therefore, questionable.
01 Luigi to the Faraglioni
Yes, the most refreshing beach on the island “the place to see and to be seen” because if you go to Capri, you have to put in the calendar that a little “rubbish” must be done. You are exactly in front of the stacks, and you can touch them. It is practically where the countless advertisements of Dolce and Gabbana run.
Luigi introduced this fashion of having mattresses on the rocks instead of sunbeds to have a gecko effect and enter more people. I highly recommend that you book at least a day or two earlier on the phone. Otherwise, it is practically impossible to find a place on the weekend. Another important fact, at 4.30 pm, a maximum of 5 pm, the beach is wholly shaded because it is located in the east.
To get to Luigi, there are two roads, one that crosses a vast pine forest, about 200 steps with a beautiful view of Tragara and the second and by sea from the Canzone del Mare, I recommend getting off on foot and returning by boat.
02 The Punta Carena lighthouse
Here we move to Anacapri, which is the most authentic side of the island and not so patinated. This is the beach that I have most in my heart because it has a beautiful establishment called Faro, where you can eat very well and organize the weddings of every Neapolitan princess, and then let’s say a free beach or the rocks where the boats ( gozzis ) are stranded.
You can comfortably put your towel and sunbathe without paying (which in Capri is a mirage). Just before the descent to the sea, small bars offer food and space for the deck chair, a good compromise, and very very fun and well attended. Not to be missed is the breathtaking sunset, staying until 8, and sip a mojito.
03 Gradola
A dip where the water is bluer! Tourists very little frequent this beach or slightly rocks. Especially people from Anacapri or enthusiasts go there. It is on the way to the blue grotto. You arrive by bus, access to the stones is free, so a beautiful soft towel is enough not to get back pain if you are sports you can go to the blue cave by swimming, but I recommend you go there only after the boat service has stopped otherwise it is dangerous.
But Gradola could also have another reason to be chosen. It is close to two very good restaurants: from Giovanni and Riccio. Giovanni is simpler and cheaper in the price. He also offers deckchairs and sun loungers, while Riccio is one of the best gastronomic choices on the island, overlooking the sea with fresh and excellent raw fish, very suggestive even in the evening.
04 Saracen tower
Tiny beach in Marina Piccola, in an inlet near an ancient Saracen tower. It is one of the very few pebbly beaches, and certainly the most beautiful, but keep in mind that it is practically one of the only places where families with children come, so the choice must also depend on your level of love the children of others.
05 The Song of the Sea
This is the 1960s gravure printing establishment, where Jackie O came to sunbathe, where stars of all ages and countries book their air-conditioned cabin to delight between the pool and the sea. It is a very exclusive and very comfortable beach; unlike the others, it has much more space because it develops in height, in terraces, and even has a very private one.
Tips on where to sleep in Capri:
So let’s say that based on my experience, I believe that the search for Capri accommodation is divided into two behaviors: trying to spend a reasonable amount, living experience in a dream location. I will try to find structures that meet both needs.
Capri:
Hotel Guarracino: this is an evergreen for all of us Neapolitans, it is usually one of the best solutions as location/price, it has railing rooms, simple furniture, but you don’t have to travel the km to go to the square, and on average you can afford it.
Guest House La Piazzetta: I slept there once for a wedding of friends, it is super close to the square, very convenient, especially if you are going to do nightlife, it has a beautiful terrace where you can relax or have breakfast.
Fuorlovado 40: This is one of the few structures with an average price. Modern furnishings, most hotels or b & b in Capri, are influenced by the charm of the 60s, very very central and comfortable.
Villacore: I love this place. It is on the road to Tragara, one of the most beautiful views of the island. It has a beautiful garden with tables with typical Capri ceramics, outdoor jacuzzi, and white furniture.
La Vega: with this hotel, I have a nostalgic relationship, my friend always stayed there when I was 18, and I went to pick her up the evening before the break-in Via Camerelle the high value of this hotel is that it is 2 steps from the street with the most beautiful shops of Capri and is surrounded by greenery.
Anacapri:
La Giuliva: in the center of Anacapri with a crazy view and beautiful terraces, even the rooms are well-kept and have a modern style that I prefer
Hotel Caesar Augustus: as it says, if you have to do a madness better, this is the most beautiful hotel in Anacapri, super luxurious, super comfortable, super chic! You may even never get out of it.
Capri Palace Hotel & Spa: because better than a luxury hotel in Capri, there is only one hotel with a Spa of fear! This hotel is a simple design. I love it is medicine for well-being; every element is created to pamper the guest.