Capri · Gulf Islands
Marina Piccola
The Faraglioni feel close enough to touch.
Marina Piccola Beach, Capri
Marina Piccola is the sheltered bay where Capri's most famous beach clubs are found. From here the Faraglioni - the three iconic rocks rising from the sea - look close enough to touch: this is the island's most dramatic and most photographed view. Marina Piccola is on the south side of the island, opposite to Marina Grande where the ferries dock.
In 2026 the public beach space at Marina Piccola is minimal, so booking at a club such as La Canzone del Mare (the most historic, founded in 1932 by Gracie Fields) is strongly recommended. The water is sheltered and ideal for snorkelling. Visitor reviews confirm it is one of the most exclusive beach experiences in the Gulf of Naples.
Shade Alert
Marina Piccola falls into shade from around 16:00, because of the surrounding mountains. If you want afternoon sun, consider Marina Grande beach or the clubs on the other side of the island. Morning and early afternoon are the best times.
La Canzone del Mare: A Century of Glamour
In 1932 the British singer and actress Gracie Fields founded La Canzone del Mare, turning Marina Piccola into Capri's social bathing salon. The "Star of Rochdale" - as Fields was nicknamed - had already conquered Europe with her voice and now conquered this small bay with her vision of an elegant yet informal beach club.
The club quickly became the heart of Capri's golden age: Clark Gable, Sophia Loren and General Eisenhower were among the regulars. The pool carved from the rock, the striped parasols and the direct view of the Faraglioni created an aesthetic copied throughout the Mediterranean. Today, nearly a century later, the club is still open and retains its vintage charm intact.
Booking is essential in summer. Entry includes access to the historic pool and the beach, with a level of service that has never lost its original refinement.
Myths, Sirens and a Captivated Emperor
In front of Marina Piccola rises from the water the Scoglio delle Sirene (Sirens' Rock). According to Homeric tradition, it is here that the Sirens sang to lure sailors to their deaths - and Odysseus, tied to the mast of his ship, was the only man to resist their song and live to tell the tale. The rock divides the bay into two coves: Marina di Mulo to the east and Marina di Pennauro to the west, each with its own character.
History records that Emperor Augustus first set foot on Capri at Marina Piccola. He was so enchanted by the island that he made an exchange his contemporaries considered foolish: he gave the island of Ischia - larger, more fertile, with thermal waters - to Naples, just to have Capri all to himself. Not a bad deal, as things turned out.
Via Krupp and the Underwater World
Via Krupp - the serpentine road cut into the rock in 1902 by the German industrialist Friedrich Alfred Krupp - connects the Gardens of Augustus with Marina Piccola on one of the world's most photographed routes. When open (it is subject to closures for landslips), the walk down offers dramatic views over the bay and the Faraglioni.
Underwater, the sheltered waters of Marina Piccola conceal Posidonia oceanica meadows where seahorses live, and rocky seabeds inhabited by octopuses, sea urchins and vivid damselfish. Visibility often exceeds 20 metres, making snorkelling excellent even for those with little experience.
1932
La Canzone del Mare opened
1902
Via Krupp built
20m+
underwater visibility
16:00
shade arrives
Local Tips
- Book La Canzone del Mare weeks in advance in July and August: it is the most in-demand club on the island and spots sell out fast online.
- Arrive by 9:30 for the public beach: the very few available spaces are taken quickly by residents and early-morning walkers.
- Before descending Via Krupp, check online whether it is open: it is frequently closed for consolidation works and the disappointment of finding it barred is common.
- For the best snorkelling, explore the area around the Scoglio delle Sirene: that is where marine life is most concentrated and the water clearest.
- Apply high-factor sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours: the reflection of the sun off the white rock is intense and sunburn on Capri in August is guaranteed without adequate protection.
How to Get to Marina Piccola
To reach Marina Piccola from Marina Grande (the port where ferries and hydrofoils dock) there are several options. Those arriving from Sorrento or Naples dock at Marina Grande and continue to Marina Piccola.
Bus from the Piazzetta
From Capri town centre
Direct line to Marina Piccola. Cheap and frequent, every 15 minutes.
On foot via Via Mulo
15-minute descent
Scenic. You enjoy the island's landscape all the way down. Signposted from the Piazzetta.
Via Krupp (if open)
From the Gardens of Augustus
Spectacular descent through the rocks. Check opening status before visiting - often closed for works.
Water taxi
From Marina Grande by sea
Convenient and scenic: direct landing at Marina Piccola without going up to town. Cost: €15-25 per person.