Island of Capri · The upper village
Anacapri
The green and silent heart of the island of Capri: Villa San Michele, the chairlift to Monte Solaro and the most spectacular panoramas in the Gulf.
Anacapri is the second municipality of the island of Capri, perched at around 275 metres above sea level. If Capri town means glamour, boutiques and the Piazzetta, Anacapri is its opposite: silent gardens, panoramic trails, authentic villages and the highest peak on the island.
The name derives from the Greek "ana" (above) and Capri: literally "above Capri". Until 1877 the two municipalities were connected only by the Phoenician Steps, 921 steps carved into the rock. Today you can ride up comfortably by bus, but those steps still exist and offer one of the most evocative treks on the island.
Did you know?
589 m
Monte Solaro, highest peak
921
steps of the Phoenician Steps
1877
year of the first road
Axel Munthe, the Swedish physician who built Villa San Michele, wrote "The Story of San Michele" (1929), one of the best-selling books of the 20th century, set entirely in Anacapri.
What to see in Anacapri
Villa San Michele
The museum-villa of Swedish physician Axel Munthe, built on the ruins of a medieval chapel and a villa of Tiberius. The garden with the Egyptian sphinx and the panoramic terrace over the Gulf of Naples are among the most iconic images of Capri. Entrance ~8 euros. Open year-round.
Monte Solaro (chairlift)
The single-seat chairlift from Piazza Vittoria carries you to the top of Monte Solaro (589 m) in 12 minutes. A 360-degree panorama: you can see Capri, Ischia, Procida, Vesuvius, the Amalfi Coast and on clear days as far as Calabria. At the top: a bar, a viewpoint and the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Soccorso.
Church of San Michele Arcangelo
This 18th-century baroque church preserves an extraordinary majolica floor (1761) depicting the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. It is admired from the balcony to avoid walking on it. Entrance ~2 euros. In Piazza San Nicola.
Phoenician Steps
The ancient staircase of 921 steps that connected Marina Grande to Anacapri before the road was built (1877). Descend in about 25 minutes. Starting point on Via Capodimonte in Anacapri, arrival near the harbour. Spectacular views during the descent.
Blue Grotto
Reachable from Anacapri by bus to Grotta Azzurra or on foot (30 min downhill). The famous sea cave is visited by rowboat: light filters through a submerged opening and illuminates the water with an electric blue. Entrance ~14 euros. Avoid in rough seas.
Getting to Anacapri
Anacapri is reached from Capri's Marina Grande by direct ATC bus (about 15 minutes). Alternatively you can take the funicular to Capri town centre and then the bus. Open-air taxis from the harbour cost around 20-25 euros.
| Route | Transport | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marina Grande → Anacapri | Direct ATC bus | ~15 min | ~2 EUR |
| Capri town → Anacapri | ATC bus | ~10 min | ~2 EUR |
| Marina Grande → Anacapri | Open-air taxi | ~12 min | ~20-25 EUR |
| Anacapri → Blue Grotto | ATC bus | ~10 min | ~2 EUR |
| Anacapri → Monte Solaro | Chairlift | ~12 min | ~12 EUR R/T |
* Prices and times are approximate for summer 2026.
Hiking trails from Anacapri
Phoenician Steps (descent)
921 steps from the panoramic road down to Marina Grande. About 25 minutes downhill (45 uphill). Incredible views over the north coast of the island. Departure from Via Capodimonte.
Fortini Trail
A coastal path of about 5 km connecting the Blue Grotto to the Punta Carena lighthouse, passing three Bourbon fortins. Open sea views, ideal at sunset. Duration about 2 hours.
Monte Solaro on foot
From Piazza Vittoria you can hike to the summit (589 m) in about 1 hour through holm oak woods and Mediterranean scrub. A free alternative to the chairlift.
Migliera - Belvedere della Migliara
A flat 30-minute walk from Anacapri town centre to the viewpoint over the south coast and the Faraglioni. An easy route, suitable for everyone. Ends at Il Tuono, a panoramic restaurant.