15 Best Things to Do in Capri, Italy

Capri is easily one of the most beautiful islands in Italy. The island is packed with dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, and endless viewpoints, and in person, it’s even more impressive! I’ve been to many places around Italy, but Capri still stands out for its natural beauty.

Yes, Capri is quite expensive, and it’s known for its luxury scene, but it’s also one of those places where it’s completely worth it. From boat rides around the island to scenic walks and time spent in Capri Town and Anacapri, there are so many memorable things to do in Capri.

In this guide, I’m sharing my favorite experiences and must-see spots to help you decide what to do in Capri and make the most of your time on the island.

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Best Things to Do in Capri You Can’t Miss

1. Visit the Gardens of Augustus

The Gardens of Augustus are one of the best places to visit in Capri if you want incredible views without much effort.

These small but beautifully maintained gardens sit right above the coastline and look out over the Faraglioni rocks and the famous switchbacks of Via Krupp. It’s an easy walk from Capri Town and works perfectly as a short stop.

It delivers that classic Capri island scenery without requiring a long hike or a big time commitment. You can walk through the gardens in about 20 to 30 minutes, pausing at the viewpoints and taking it all in.

Also, the entrance is only €2.5, which is completely worth it, and also one of the cheapest things you can do in Capri. Even if you’re only spending one day in Capri, you don’t want to miss these gardens!

2. Take a boat tour around the island

Taking a boat tour is one of the best ways to see Capri from a completely different angle. The coastline is dramatic and rugged, with caves, arches, and rocky formations that you simply don’t get to appreciate from land.

Most boat tours circle the entire island, passing sea caves and the Faraglioni rocks along the way. There’s also a possibility to add on an optional stop at the famous Blue Grotto, which costs an extra €18 on top of the boat tour.

It’s worth knowing that only small boats can enter, so there’s often a long wait, and once inside, the visit only lasts a few minutes. Even with that in mind, a boat tour is still one of the most memorable experiences on Capri, even if you skip the Blue Grotto.

3. Explore Capri Town and Piazzetta di Capri

Capri Town is the main hub of the island, and chances are you’ll begin your time on Capri here. From the port, you can get up here either by local bus or by taking the funicular. Make sure to stop for a moment at the top station of the funicular as the views are drop-dead gorgeous!

Piazza Umberto I is the heart of town and one of the most recognizable spots on the island. It’s small but always busy, especially in the afternoon.

The cafes here are famously expensive and honestly not that exceptional. We paid €9 for a single cappuccino! Still, sitting down for a short break is a fun way to people-watch and soak in the atmosphere.

Once you’ve seen the Piazza, it’s worth wandering beyond the main square. Just a few streets away, things feel noticeably quieter and less polished.

Those side streets give you a better sense of the island and are easy to combine with shopping, viewpoints, or a walk toward the Gardens of Augustus.

4. Shop along Via Camerelle

Via Camerelle is Capri’s most famous shopping street, and where you’ll find all the big luxury brands lined up in a short stretch. It’s clean, polished, and very much part of Capri’s glamorous image, even if you’re just window shopping.

Most people won’t come here to actually buy much, and that’s completely fine. Walking along Via Camerelle is more about seeing this side of the island and getting a feel for the luxury Capri is known for.

The street is also very photogenic, my favorite was the Eres store with the huge bougainvillea covering the facade!

5. Ride the Monte Solaro Chairlift

Taking the chairlift up to Monte Solaro is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Capri if you’re after the best panoramic views!

The ride starts in Anacapri and slowly takes you up to the highest point on Capri, giving you uninterrupted views the entire way. It’s calm, scenic, and very different from the busy parts of the island.

The chairlift ride takes about 12 minutes one way, and you’re riding solo, which makes it feel surprisingly peaceful. Once you reach the top, you’ll find open views over Capri, the coastline, and even as far as the Amalfi Coast on a clear day.

It’s an easy way to reach a viewpoint that would otherwise require a long uphill walk.

Read more: The Ultimate 5 Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary

6. Walk around Anacapri

Anacapri feels noticeably calmer than Capri Town and is a nice change of pace if you want something a bit more local. The streets are wider, the atmosphere is more laid-back, and it doesn’t feel quite as polished or crowded.

I really enjoyed just walking around, popping into small shops, and taking breaks at quieter cafes. It feels less rushed up here, and you’re more likely to stumble across everyday life rather than souvenir stands.

This is also where you’ll find the Monte Solaro chairlift and Villa San Michele, so it’s easy to combine a few stops.

7. Head out on a kayaking tour

If you want to get out on the water and stay close to the coastline, kayaking is a really fun option on Capri. It’s more hands-on than a boat tour and lets you experience the island at a slower pace, right alongside the cliffs.

This kayaking tour lasts around 1.5 hours and takes you along parts of the coast that larger boats simply can’t reach. You’ll paddle into small caves and past quiet beaches that are otherwise inaccessible, which makes this feel like a very different way to see Capri Island.

If you’re looking for things to do in Capri that go beyond the classic sightseeing spots, this is a great choice. It’s active but manageable, doesn’t take up your whole day, and gives you a closer look at the island of Capri from the water, without the crowds.

8. Take in the views from Belvedere Tragara

This viewpoint was hands down one of my favorites on the entire island! Belvedere Tragara looks straight out toward the famous Faraglioni rocks and the open sea, and it feels a lot more relaxed than some of the busier viewpoints on Capri.

It takes around 15 minutes to walk here from Capri Town, which naturally thins out the crowds a bit. The walk is very straightforward and actually very pleasant, passing quieter streets and elegant villas along the way.

The official viewpoint is located in front of Hotel Punta Tragara, one of the best luxury hotels on the island. If you continue down the road towards La Fontelina, the view gets even better!

It’s a great stop to include while sightseeing on Capri Island, especially if you enjoy scenic walks and coastal views. You don’t need long here, but it’s one of those spots that really shows off the natural beauty the island is known for.

9. Relax at La Fontelina Beach Club

This is the part of Capri where the luxury really kicks in! La Fontelina is the most iconic beach club on the island, set right below the Faraglioni rocks, with sunbeds on stone platforms and direct access to the sea.

The beach club is open from mid-April to mid-October, and in high season, from the end of May to mid-September, there’s a €200 per person minimum spend. Yes, per person!

If you visit outside of high season, it’s still expensive (€54 as an entrance, and €24 for an umbrella), but at least you don’t have this ridiculous minimum spend.

Because of the high prices, it’s worth spending the whole day there and getting the most out of the experience once you commit to this. You can also make a reservation in advance, which is recommended in high season.

To get there on foot, you’ll first need to get to Belvedere Tragara (a 15-minute walk), and then continue down to the beach club, which is another 10-15 minutes. Going down is one thing, but coming back up is where things get really sweaty!

Alternatively, you can take a taxi boat from Marina Piccola, which is a much more comfortable option and something I’d seriously consider if you plan to stay for the day.

10. Visit Villa Lysis

Villa Lysis feels very different from most places you’ll visit on Capri. It’s quieter, slightly hidden, and has a completely different atmosphere compared to the island’s more polished sights. This is a great stop if you enjoy places with character and a bit of a story behind them.

The only way to get here is on foot, and the walk from Capri Town takes around 40 minutes. There’s no alternative transport option, but the walk itself is quite pleasant, with a mix of shaded paths and open views.

There are some uphill sections, but nothing too intense. You do have to work for it a bit, which also means far fewer crowds once you arrive which I really appreciated!

You can visit the inside of the villa and wander around the gardens. One of the highlights is the villa’s rotunda, which offers beautiful views over the coastline and makes the walk feel completely worth it.

11. Walk down Via Krupp

This is one of the most recognizable paths on Capri and for good reason! Via Krupp zigzags dramatically down the cliffside, connecting the Gardens of Augustus with Marina Piccola. Even if you’ve already seen it from above, walking it feels completely different.

The path itself is short, but the views are constant. You’re surrounded by steep cliffs and open sea the entire way, and it really shows off the scale of the island. It’s an easy walk downhill, but it’s sometimes closed due to rockfall, so it’s worth checking access before planning around it.

Once you reach Marina Piccola, there’s no need to hike back up. Local buses run between Marina Piccola and both Capri Town and Anacapri, which makes this a very manageable one-way walk.

12. Swim at Marina Piccola

Marina Piccola is one of the best places on the island for a swim. The water here is usually calm and clear, and the setting feels more sheltered compared to other coastal spots. It’s also one of the few places on Capri where swimming is genuinely easy and enjoyable.

There are a few small beach areas and lidos to choose from, depending on whether you want to keep it simple or spend the day on a sunbed. Even if you’re not staying long, it’s a great place for a quick dip after walking down Via Krupp or arriving by boat.

Because it’s well connected by bus, Marina Piccola works nicely as a swimming stop without needing much planning. It’s a practical and refreshing break while exploring the island, especially on a hot day.

13. Hike to the Natural Arch

This is a great option if you feel like getting away from the crowds for a bit! The Natural Arch is a huge limestone formation sitting above the coastline, and it’s absolutely massive.

It’s about a 20-minute walk from Capri Town, and the route is clearly signposted the entire way, so it’s very easy to follow. You’ll pass through residential streets and quieter paths, with some uphill sections along the way, but nothing too challenging.

If you’re building out your list of things to do in Capri and want something that adds a bit of movement to your day, this is a solid choice. It’s a simple hike that shows a different, less polished side of the island.

14. Visit Villa San Michele

Spending some time at Villa San Michele is a nice way to slow things down while you’re in Anacapri. It’s not flashy or over the top, but it’s a really pleasant place to wander, especially if you enjoy history mixed with open spaces and views.

You can walk through the former home of Axel Munthe, explore the rooms, and then head outside into the gardens and terraces. The views over the coastline are a big highlight here, and they feel more open and peaceful compared to many viewpoints closer to Capri Town.

This fits easily into a day spent in Anacapri and pairs well with the Monte Solaro chairlift or a relaxed walk through town.

If you’re not keen on walking 40 minutes to Villa Lysis but still want to see something similar, then visiting Villa San Michele is certainly one of the best things to do in Capri.

15. Step into the Certosa di San Giacomo

This is an easy place to miss, but it’s well worth stepping inside! Located close to the Gardens of Augustus, Certosa di San Giacomo is the oldest surviving building on Capri and dates back to the 1300s. It started out as a monastery and today functions as a museum and exhibition space.

What makes the visit interesting is the contrast. You’re walking through quiet cloisters and historic stone spaces, then suddenly you’re surrounded by contemporary art installations.

The architecture is the real highlight though, with vaulted ceilings and a calm atmosphere that feels worlds away from the busy streets outside.

It’s usually much less crowded than other sights on the island, which makes it a good place to slow down for a bit.