Beyond the Blue Grotto: Best Things to Do in Capri, Italy (+ How to Avoid the Crowds)
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A swarm of day-trippers pouring off the ferry at Marina Grande, queuing for the buses that take you up to Capri Town and Anacapri, a packed Piazzetta, and another two-hour queue for a rowboat into the Blue Grotto.
That version of Capri does exist; I ran into it myself during our day trip from Sorrento. It’s the Capri you get between about 10 am and 4 pm, when the Naples and Sorrento ferries dump their passengers all at once at the port.
Spend even one night on the island, or plan out your day a little differently than everyone else, and you’ll find a whole other side to Capri: scenic cliff paths, empty coves, and sunsets to die for.
I put together a guide with the classic best things to do in Capri, Italy, PLUS all the hidden gems and crowd-escape tips that most of the day trippers probably never get to see.
How to Avoid the Crowds in Capri
Nothing stressed me out as much as the constant queuing for the (tiny) buses to get around different parts of Capri. Yes, it’s cheap, but every minute in that queue is a minute you’re not spending hiking a scenic trail or eating lemon sorbet on the beach (plus, you’re just getting more sunburned standing there!).
If you plan out time on Capri strategically and explore by area instead of trying to tick off the whole island in one go, you’ll have a much better time. Here are my top tips for avoiding the crowds in Capri:
Stay Overnight on Capri
Most people who visit Capri never actually see it. They hop off the morning ferry from Sorrento or Naples, tick off the Blue Grotto, take some photos of the Faraglioni Rocks, queue for buses most of the day, then hop back on the ferry before dinner.
But once the last boats depart, the crowds vanish, the Piazzetta quiets down, and suddenly it’s just you, the winding alleyways, and those beautiful island viewpoints. Even one night on Capri is enough to feel it!
Spend the Morning in Anacapri
Anacapri sits higher up the island, which means it takes a bit longer to get to. And that alone keeps a lot of the day-trip crowds away.
Go early, and you’ll get to wander its quiet streets, enjoy a peaceful ride on the Monte Solaro chairlift (with waaay less people competing for photos at the top!), and catch the artisanal boutiques just starting to open up. I’d save Capri Town for later in the day or the evening, once the morning rush has moved on.
Book a Private Boat Tour
This is, in my opinion, one of the best investments you can make during your time on Capri. Instead of joining a stressful group tour at the busiest hours, I’d always splurge on a private one. Usually turns out to be a way more enjoyable experience!
Whether it’s a morning visit to the Blue Grotto before everyone and their mother get there, or a sunset cruise with Italian Prosecco, booking a private tour is your best shot at escaping the crowds. Early morning and sunset are the best times to be on the water anyway; the light is sooo magical.
Stroll Away From the Busy Piazzetta
Though Capri’s famous central square is worth a quick stroll, don’t spend too much time here; instead, take one or two turns off it.
We wandered a bit further and ended up in the cutest narrow alleyways with whitewashed walls, bougainvillaea spilling off balconies, and little shops tucked away that most people rushing through the craziness of the Piazzetta never even notice.
This was more like the Capri I had in mind!
Capri’s also got a whole network of coastal and hillside trails, and barely any of the day-trip people bother with (or know about) them. More below!
Visit During the Shoulder Months
It’s not exactly a secret, but not always easy to pull off if you’re tied to school holidays. If you can, aim to visit Capri for April-May or September to mid-October. It’s not as scorching and way more pleasant to get around since there aren’t nearly as many people.
We made the mistake of visiting in mid-June when it was HOTTTT, packed with tourists, and honestly more stressful than fun to explore.
Classic Capri Attractions
I know, I know, I promised you ways to escape the crowds. But before we get into the hidden gems, let me give you a quick rundown of the classic Capri attractions. I’m not saying you shouldn’t do them; they’re classics for a reason and on many travellers’ bucket lists. But they can also get pretty overwhelming, so you should know what you’re getting yourself into. 😉
Blue Grotto
If your mind immediately goes “Blue Grotto” when you hear Capri, you’re not alone. The “Grotta Azzurra” is one of the island’s most famous attractions after all.
It’s a sea cave on the island’s northwest coast, and when the sunlight hits it just right, it creates this electric-blue glow in the water inside.
You can do a shared or private boat tour from Marina Grande (you already know which one’s the smarter option, remember? 😉). Once you reach the cavern, you’ll get transferred into a tiny wooden rowboat, then squeeze through a very low entrance where you literally have to lie all the way down.
To make it even more cliché, the Caprese guy rowing your boat might even break into “O Sole Mio”. Tourist trap? Probably. Entertaining AF? No doubt.
I personally wasn’t too keen on doing it myself, so I’m curious to hear how it went if you have!
Boat Tour of the Faraglioni Rocks and Sea Caves
Capri’s three iconic limestone rock formations are best appreciated from the water, gliding past the natural stone archway of the middle stack and into a few of the island’s smaller, lesser-visited grottoes along the way.
They average 100 meters in height, and you might recognise them from this Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue ad.
The outermost stack is home to Capri’s rare blue lizard, found nowhere else on Earth. Pretty cool, huh?
🪨⛵🪨🪨 I recommend booking a private boat tour of the Faraglioni over the cheaper alternative, where you get squeezed onto a boat with a ton of other tourists. Way more enjoyable, promise!
Swim at Marina Piccola Beach
Spend a lazy afternoon of sunbathing and splashing in the turquoise waters off Capri’s southern coast. Marina Piccola is the smaller of Capri’s two bays, and has stunning front-row views of the Faraglioni.
You can easily get there by bus or taxi, but I’d really recommend the scenic walk down from the Gardens of Augustus via the historic hairpin-turn footpath Via Krupp (ca. 15-20 min).
You can either reserve an expensive lounger at one of the beach clubs like Bagni Internazionali Capri, or put your towel down on one of the two small free public (pebble) beaches. Your choice!
It’s also worth staying here overnight at Hotel Weber Ambassador right on the seafront.
Drink an Aperitivo in the Piazzetta
Capri Town’s famous main square, Piazza Umberto I — better known as “the Piazzetta” — is where everyone comes to see and be seen. A bit like the island’s social stage. Grab a table, order an Aperol Spritz, and let the people-watching begin!
Capture Capri in a Bottle
Carthusia is Capri’s very own perfume house, known to be the smallest fragrance lab in the world. Back in 1948, the prior at the Certosa di San Giacomo monastery discovered some 14th-century fragrance formulas, and Carthusia Perfume was born.
They create unique scents that capture Capri’s local flora like wild mint, lemon, or carnation flowers. It’s definitely worth popping into one of the five stores scattered around the island for a sniff (one in Anacapri, one in Marina Grande, and three in Capri Town).
I bought a bottle of one of their more citrusy scents on my previous visit, and every time I spray it *spritz*, it immediately takes me back to summer in Capri!
Hidden Gems in Capri
Now let’s get to the less touristy things to do in Capri! The things most cruise and ferry day-trippers completely miss, because they’re trying to tick off the Blue Grotto, the Faraglioni Rocks, and window-shopping the designer stores in Capri Town.
But staying even just one night on Capri gives you so much more time to enjoy the island: go on scenic hikes, watch the sunset from the lighthouse or a boat, and visit stunning villas like Villa San Michele or Villa Lysis.
Best Hikes in Capri
Capri doesn’t have to be expensive at all! The island’s rugged nature is completely free to enjoy on foot. Just wear proper walking shoes and bring water and snacks for all of these.
Walk down Via Krupp in the late Afternoon
Via Krupp is a historic footpath of hairpin turns that connects the Gardens of Augustus down to Marina Piccola Beach. It should be a 20-30 minute walk, depending on how many times you’ll stop for photos.
I honestly wanted to take one at every single turn of the 100-meter descent. The dramatic scenery really is that good — Via Krupp is carved directly into the limestone cliffs.
It was commissioned by German industrialist Friedrich Alfred Krupp in the early 1900s, so he could get from his luxury hotel down to his marine biology research vessel at Marina Piccola more easily.
We decided to come here in the late afternoon, and as you can tell from the photo, there was barely anyone around. Most of the day trippers were already heading back to Capri Town to queue for a bus or taxi to Marina Grande and catch the ferry home.
Pizzolungo Trail & Arco Naturale
This hike has some of the best Faraglioni views on the island! The loop starts at the Piazzetta in the middle of Capri Town, passing the Grotta di Matermania and the Punta Tragara viewpoint before reaching the Arco Naturale, an 18m-high natural rock arch.
You can stop for lunch with a view at Le Grottelle, a restaurant built into the cliffside caves right by the arch. It’s not a long hike (~1.5 hours), but there are quite a few steps and the terrain is uneven.
Scala Fenicia (Phoenician Steps)
This centuries-old stone stairway connects the port of Marina Grande to Anacapri. Despite the name, the 921 steps weren’t actually built by the Phoenicians, but by the Ancient Greeks between the 7th and 6th centuries B.C.
Before a road was built in 1874, the stairs were the only way to reach Anacapri. It was used to carry drinking water and goods up from the harbour, mostly by local women carrying jugs on their heads, later with the help of donkeys.
The steep hike should take you around an hour, and you’ll be rewarded with insane views over the Bay of Naples.
Sentiero dei Fortini
A 5.5 km coastal path connecting three 19th-century forts between the Blue Grotto and the Punta Carena lighthouse. It’s shaded in parts, and you’ll have stunning sea views throughout.
Experience Capri’s Coastline (On Your Own Time)
Kayak or Paddleboard Around the Island
Paddling around the island’s crystal-clear water is such a fun, active (and eco-friendly!) way to get away from the masses.
Renting a kayak or paddleboard for the day gives you the freedom to explore the hidden coves and grottoes along Capri’s coastline whenever you want. You can stop to snorkel, duck into one of the natural caves, or just float and do absolutely nothing. La Dolce Far Niente at its best!
Book a Private Sunset Boat Tour
If watching the sun sink into the sea off Capri is high on your list, here’s the catch: you need to spend at least one night on the island to see it. The last ferries back to the mainland leave at around 7 PM.
I’ve done my fair share of cheaper, shared boat tours over the years: crammed elbow to elbow with strangers, sunscreen and sweat in the air, someone’s selfie stick blocking out the perfect view right as the sky turns orange. It’s anything but magical.
Going private is an upgrade that’s 100% worth it!!
🚤🌅🥂 This is how you experience Capri’s sunset the way it’s meant to be seen: a local chef cooking dinner on board, crisp Italian prosecco in hand, and swimming in quiet coves.
Watch the sunset from Punta Carena Lighthouse
Faro di Punta Carena is the perfect spot to watch a magical sunset in Capri, with almost no other tourists around! This 28-m lighthouse sits on the island’s southwestern coast near Anacapri, and it’s one of the oldest and second-brightest lighthouses in Italy. You can get there by bus (Stop: Faro) or on foot via the Sentiero Faro di Carena, about a 40-minute walk.
Historic Villas and Gardens in Capri
Gardens of Augustus & Certosa di San Giacomo
The Gardens of Augustus is a small botanical garden with arguably the best panorama on the island, especially if you’re after that iconic Faraglioni shot. On the other side, you’ll see Via Krupp, winding dramatically down the limestone cliff to Marina Piccola. Mediterranean flowers, plants, and views wherever you look, and it’s a great place to find some shade!
It only costs 3€ to enter, and you can buy tickets directly from the machines at the entrance. We visited in the late afternoon, when there were only a handful of people around — plenty of room to wander the beautiful terraced gardens and take in all the views in peace!
Just a 7-minute walk away is the 14th-century Carthusian monastery Certosa di San Giacomo, with cloisters, frescoes, and a small museum. It barely makes it onto other people’s itineraries, which makes it such a wonderfully peaceful place to wander. Again, you can enjoy sweeping sea views from up here!
Villa Jovis & Villa Lysis
Villa Jovis is the clifftop ruin of Emperor Tiberius’s most magnificent island palace. The uphill walk to the Roman villa from the Piazzetta takes about 45 minutes, and entrance is 6€. On your way, you’ll pass Parco Astarita, a small, free park that barely anyone knows about. It has, of course, more amazing island views, plus cute wild goats are roaming around.
Nearby, Villa Lysis is a striking Art Nouveau villa built by Parisian Count Fersen during his self-imposed exile on Capri (he was involved in quite a sex scandal and is generally a fascinating yet tragic figure to read about!). In the 1900s, it also became a hotspot for artists and writers. Tickets are 8€.
Villa San Michele
Villa San Michele is the former home of Swedish physician and author Axel Munthe in Anacapri, full of Roman-style courtyards, antiquities, and sweeping sea views. But its real selling point is the garden, which won an award as Italy’s most beautiful private park. I won’t even try to describe it; you’ll have to see for yourself. Get me a ticket! ⟶
Best Things to Do in Anacapri
Thanks to its location higher up on the island, Anacapri has a lot less foot traffic than Capri Town. If you’re spending a night or more on the island, Anacapri is where I’d book a hotel!
You’ll find more affordable stays, a more relaxed vibe (especially once you get away from the Monte Solaro Chairlift queue), and it doesn’t feel nearly as overwhelming as Capri Town. More like you’re walking through an authentic island village.
Take the Monte Solaro Chairlift as soon as it opens (or hike up)
Hands-down one of the most peaceful 13 minutes I’ve had on the island (once you’ve cleared the busy queue at the bottom, that is). Make sure to arrive first thing in the morning, as soon as the chairlift opens at 9:30 am.
Once you’ve reached the highest point of the island, you’ll have the 360° view of the Bay of Naples, the Faraglioni Rocks and Mount Vesuvius almost to yourself. Pretty epic, don’t you think?!
It’s strange: even though you’re in a line of open chairs with people ahead of and behind you, it’s surprisingly quiet as you glide higher and higher up the island, lemon groves and olive trees drifting by beneath your feet.
It’s 15€ for a return trip, or 12€ one way if you hike up instead (bonus: you’ll avoid the queues, too).
Stroll Via Giuseppe Orlandi
The better alternative to Capri Town’s crowded luxury shopping streets (in my humble opinion): Via Giuseppe Orlandi is Anacapri’s main pedestrian street, lined with artisan workshops selling handmade leather sandals, ceramics, and local crafts. The further you walk from Piazza Vittoria, the more charming it gets, with buildings draped in pink and purple bougainvillea.
Tip: If you’re into 19th-century art and ancient Roman artefacts, stop by Museo Casa Rossa di Anacapri.
Devour Lemon Ravioli at Sciué Sciué
We stumbled across this lively little restaurant on Via Giuseppe Orlandi in Anacapri after coming down from the Monte Solaro chairlift. Sciué Sciué is best known for its lemon ravioli and homemade lemonade, which I both tried and thoroughly enjoyed. At 22€ for five (!) pieces of ravioli, it’s not cheap, but when in Capri… living a little glitz & glamour didn’t feel too bad. 😉
Map of the Best Things to Do in Capri, Italy
If you’ve already been to Capri, what part of the island won you over, and what overwhelmed you (was it the Blue Grotto queue)? If you’re still planning your trip, let me know which spots you’re most excited to discover!
