The island of Capri is one of those destinations that conjures images of everything quintessentially Italian; long lunches, beautiful views, indulgent food and general good living.

By staying here you can enjoy a slice of this paradise, but where should you base yourself, and what are the options available? What are the best hotels, where to stay to be centrally located and how best to visit Capri? In this guide we answer these questions and more, including:

• A brief introduction to Capri
• Our tips for any stay in Capri
• Staying in Capri Town
• Options for staying at the Marina Grande
• Staying in Anacapri
• Accommodation around the Marina Piccola
• Where to stay near Capri
• Frequently asked questions about where to stay on Capri

Capri is the second largest island in the Bay of Naples (after Ischia), located approximately 32km south from Naples.

Since ancient times it has been a popular vacation spot, with numerous Roman emperors taking breaks here. The popularity of the island as a scenic and secluded location for getaways was rediscovered in more recent years, following World War II when famous figures such as Winston Churchill used to spend time here.

Before sharing our recommendations and insights about where to stay on Capri during your trip, there are a few things to keep in mind when making your travel plans.

Firstly, Capri is extremely popular. Being a relatively small island, accommodation options are more limited when compared to cities such as Naples, Rome or Florence. As such, if you find somewhere you like the look of, book it right away. Far too often we have held back on reserving a hotel or apartment on Capri, only to find that it has become unavailable just a few days later.

Most people tend to focus on the main town (also called Capri) when deciding where to stay on Capri.

Capri Town is the place to be on the island, being the focal point of most activities and starting/end point for nearly all connections to the mainland.

Located high above the port of Marina Grande where the ferries dock, Capri Town is famous for its sweeping views of the Bay of Naples and Tyrrhenian Sea, with Ischia, Procida, Naples and Vesuvius visible on a clear day. The town is also famous for its high-end, luxury shopping, excellent food scene and winding narrow streets.

Accommodation in Capri Town

In Capri Town you’ll find some of the best hotels in Capri, including a number of historic luxury hotels. The stunning location not only comes with beautiful sea views but also everything you could need on your doorstep. Shops and restaurants are only a short walk away and you can reach the port for boat trips, beaches for days in the sun and the other parts of the island.

Beyond the big hotels you’ll also find a range of smaller boutique B&Bs, along with apartment and villa rental options (these tend to be a little way out of the town). Generally, prices are above the Italian average per night, regardless of the time of year you that visit, owing to Capri’s well-deserved reputation as a luxury destination.

If you want to be in the heart of things, look for somewhere to stay not far from Piazza Umberto I, Capri Town’s main square.

We recommend Grand Hotel Quisisana as not only is it one of the best hotels on Capri in our opinion, but also because their restaurant is incredible – we are still grateful to our good friend Wendy at Flavor of Italy for the original recommendation!

Is a Stay in Capri Town Right for You?

Staying in Capri Town is a great option for couples. We believe there aren’t many places more perfect for a romantic getaway, anniversary or proposal!

The town also makes a great location for solo travellers who are looking to go with the flow and soak up some La Dolce Vita, as the town is very safe and easy to navigate. It also works for small groups of friends who want to enjoy Capri’s iconic food and drinks at the many high-quality restaurants and bars.

Capri Town is less of a family destination however. The small, usually-busy streets are more difficult to navigate with young kids, especially if you have prams/buggies with you. There are lots of steps and steeper sections if you get out of the central part of town too. Also, there aren’t really any open spaces for children to play in the town itself.

If you aren’t planning on spending a lot of time on Capri island, or are looking for more budget-friendly accommodation, you may wish to look at the Marina Grande.

As the port of Capri, accommodation here is generally less per night, and gives you easier access to the ferries crossing to the Italian mainland for day trips and transfers.

It won’t be the idyllic stay in Capri nor are there luxury hotels here, but you can find some good deals. You will have an easier time with your luggage and when all the day trippers have left, it is very peaceful in the evenings.

This is a good place to stay in Capri if you prefer to stay in self-catered accommodation. There are more apartments here to choose from compared to other parts of the island and some small supermarkets to get the essentials in. You can also easily catch a bus to Anacapri or the town above, and the funicular runs all day too.

Compared to Capri town, Anacapri is like a quieter, more reserved sibling. This relaxed town is further inland, on a higher peak than the main town, and is a great location to consider if you want a more peaceful trip.

Most visitors who come for the day don’t end up in Anacapri so you will be able to get more of a sense of real life on the island. Those who do come tend to head straight for Monte Salaro, Capri’s highest point so you can really relax here.

The one drawback of Anacapri is getting here; you’ll need to arrive first in the port of Capri, and then either take a taxi or use the funicular to reach Capri main town and then a local bus to Anacapri. Anacapri does not have its own port so there is a little more involved in reaching your accommodation, or exploring the island.

Accommodation in Anacapri

There is a good mix of hotels, B&Bs and self catering accommodation in Anacapri. Prices are a little lower than in Capri town (while still being higher than Italian averages) but you can find some really lovely places to stay with better value for money in our experience.

One word of caution; make sure to double check the specific location of any accommodation you are considering. Anacapri technically covers quite a large area, so while somewhere will be classed as ‘in’ Anacapri, this could be nowhere near the town centre!

Capri hotels that aren’t near one of the towns will often provide a shuttle service but this is definitely something to confirm before booking accommodation.

We love the Hotel Caesar Augustus which faces out to sea – floating in their infinity pool is a wonderful way to relax! This is not in Anacapri town however so if you prefer to be walking distance from bars and restaurants, the Capri Palace Jumeirah is right by the bus stops and chair lift up to Monte Salaro.

Is a Stay in Anacapri Right for You?

Anacapri is the perfect place to stay on Capri if you want to make the most of the hiking and walking trails available on the island. You can start early without worrying about buses or taxis as the town is close to the start of multiple routes.

It is also a more relaxing place to stay so if you want to switch off and embrace a slower pace, this is definitely the better Capri option. Similarly you can have a very romantic trip as a couple, with lots of lovely shops, cafes and atmospheric restaurants to visit.

If you’re visiting Capri as a family, this is a better option than the main town. Not only is it quieter and slower, there are more places kids can run around.

The final area you can choose to stay on Capri is centred around the Marina Piccola. This part of Capri is on the opposite side of the island to the Marina Grande, overlooking the stunning Faraglioni rocks soaring up out of the sea.

Connected to the main town by bus, there is a lovely pebble beach with uninterrupted sea views, some beach clubs and restaurants. Tucked away from the tourists, there is not much to do aside from relaxing by the water, but as an accommodation location, it works well.

There are a few hotels overlooking the Marina Piccola beach, generally equipped with a swimming pool and places to sit in the sun if the beach is busy. From here you can easily get up to the main town and beyond if you want to explore.

You may decide that staying on the island of Capri is not right for you, but that you would still like to visit on a day trip. In this scenario, we recommend staying in either Naples or Sorrento. There are frequent ferries that run from both locations to Capri’s Marina Grande, so it is easy to visit in one day.

Staying in Naples to Visit Capri

For convenient access to the ferries that run back and forth to Capri, be sure to stay in the Santa Lucia or Chiaia areas of Naples. These neighbourhoods are both within walking distance of the ferry port at Molo Beverello, meaning you can make the most of your day in Capri.

Staying in Sorrento to Visit Capri

We don’t hide that Sorrento is our favourite town in Campania, and one of the reasons is because of the easy access it offers to Capri (and beyond).

Choose to stay in the main town of Sorrento rather than the surrounding hills or other towns. This means that the Marina Piccola (where all Sorrento ferries to and from Capri depart/arrive) is within walking distance, or reachable via a short bus or taxi ride.

We are often asked the same, or similar questions by our community on social media and in response to our newsletter about staying in Capri – here are some of the most common along with our answers based on our direct and personal experiences: