Travel
Capri: The Faraglioni, Anacapri & the Art of Italian Island Glamour
Capri — the island in the Bay of Naples that captivated Roman emperors, 19th-century poets, and 20th-century film stars — remains one of the most glamorous islands in the Mediterranean. From the cliffside Hotel Caesar Augustus in Anacapri to the Faraglioni sea stacks, this is the definitive luxury guide to Capri.
Capri is an island in the Tyrrhenian Sea on the south side of the Gulf of Naples, in the Campania region of Italy. It has been a destination of legend since the Roman era: the Emperor Augustus first visited in 29 BC and built a villa here, and his successor Tiberius built no fewer than twelve villas on the island, including the vast Villa Jovis, whose ruins still crown the eastern cliff. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Capri became a refuge for European and American artists and writers, and in the postwar era it became one of the most glamorous destinations in the Mediterranean.
The island is divided into two main towns: Capri town, on the eastern side, and Anacapri, the quieter town higher on the western slopes of Monte Solaro. The two are connected by a winding road and a frequent bus service.
The Faraglioni
The three Faraglioni — towering sea stacks that rise from the water off the island's southeastern coast — are the most iconic natural landmark of Capri. The largest, Faraglione di Terra, reaches 109 metres; the middle, Faraglione di Mezzo, is pierced by a natural arch through which small boats pass; the third, Faraglione di Fuori (or Scopolo), is home to the famous blue lizard (Podarcis sicula coerulea), a species found nowhere else on earth. Reference: [Capri Tourism — Faraglioni](https://www.capri.net/en/s/see-and-do/faraglioni)
Where to Stay
Hotel Caesar Augustus (caesar-augustus.com) in Anacapri is one of the most spectacularly positioned hotels in the Mediterranean. Built in 1850 as a private villa, it was transformed into a hotel in 1940 by the Russian Prince Emmanuel Bulhak. Perched 300 metres above the Bay of Naples on the cliffs of Anacapri, it offers views that Condé Nast Traveler has called among the finest of any hotel in the world. Reference: [Hotel Caesar Augustus Official](https://www.caesar-augustus.com)
Capri Palace (capri-palace.com) in Anacapri is the contemporary luxury landmark — a minimalist white-stucco hotel with a celebrated spa (the Capri Palace Medical Spa) and the renowned L'Olivo restaurant. Reference: [Capri Palace Official](https://www.capripalace.com)
Hotel Punta Tragara (hoteltragara.com) in Capri town was designed as a private villa in the 1920s by the architect Le Corbusier, who was commissioned by Countess M.A. Manzi. It occupies a spectacular position at the end of the Tragara promenade with direct views of the Faraglioni. Reference: [Hotel Punta Tragara Official](https://www.puntatragara.com)
Things to Do
The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) is a sea cave on the northwest coast of the island, illuminated by sunlight that enters through an underwater opening and reflects off the white sand floor, giving the water an extraordinary electric-blue glow. Access is by small rowboats from the Marina Grande. Reference: [Capri.net — Blue Grotto](https://www.capri.net/en/s/see-and-do/grotta-azzurra)
Monte Solaro (589 metres) is the highest point on the island, reached by a single-person chairlift from Anacapri (montesolaro.com). The 12-minute ride offers spectacular views, and the summit has 360-degree panoramas of the Bay of Naples, Vesuvius, and the Amalfi Coast.
The Via Tragara is a pedestrian promenade from Capri town that leads to the Belvedere di Tragara with its views of the Faraglioni. It is the most elegant street on the island.
Getting There
Capri is reached by ferry from Naples (Molo Beverello), Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi. The principal operators are Caremar (caremar.it), NLG (nlg.it), and Positano Jet (positanojet.com). The crossing from Naples takes about 50 minutes by hydrofoil. Naples Capodichino Airport (NAP) is the closest international airport. Reference: [Capri.net Travel Guide](https://www.capri.net)
Reference Links:
- Hotel Caesar Augustus: caesar-augustus.com
- Capri Palace Hotel: capripalace.com
- Hotel Punta Tragara: puntatragara.com
- Capri.net Tourism Guide: capri.net
- Monte Solaro Chairlift: capri.net/en/s/see-and-do/monte-solaro
- Caremar Ferries: caremar.it
- Naples Tourism: inaples.it
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