Anacapri

Access

The links to the town are exclusively by sea, via the port of Marina Grande, which is connected to Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. From the port, local buses or taxis run to Anacapri in about 15 minutes. Internal connections are provided by public transport lines, while many parts of the historic centre are only accessible on foot.

Introduction

Anacapri is one of the two municipalities of the island of Capri, located on the western side and characterised by a hilly and mountainous terrain that culminates with Monte Solaro (589 m), the highest peak on the island. The name derives from the Greek ana-kapri, meaning 'Capri di sopra' (Capri above), indicating its higher position with respect to the centre of Capri, from which it is separated by hairpin bends and historical stairs such as the Scala Fenicia.

Description

The village has maintained over time a more intimate and traditional atmosphere than the neighbouring town of Capri. The town centre develops around Piazza Diaz and preserves an urban fabric of narrow alleys and white houses, typical of Mediterranean architecture. Anacapri's history is marked by its long membership of the Kingdom of Naples and its farming and seafaring traditions, which are still reflected in the local culture.

The main monuments include the Church of San Michele, famous for its 18th-century majolica floor depicting the earthly paradise. Also noteworthy is Villa San Michele, built by the Swedish writer and physician Axel Munthe, who conceived it as a house-museum open to the public, with some of the most evocative panoramic views on the island.

The municipality's economy is closely linked to tourism, which goes hand in hand with small-scale agricultural and craft production. Local handicrafts are renowned for the manufacture of Capri sandals and ceramics. Gastronomy is characterised by traditional dishes based on local products: caprese salad, ravioli capresi and desserts such as torta caprese al cioccolato.

Anacapri is a privileged starting point for nature excursions. The chairlift that departs from the town centre leads in a few minutes to Monte Solaro, from where there is a panorama that sweeps from the Gulf of Naples to the Amalfi Coast. Other paths lead to the suggestive Grotta Azzurra, a famous sea cavity with an intense blue colour, and to the Punta Carena Lighthouse, one of the most important in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Along Anacapri's paths you will also discover panoramic terraces, remains of fortifications and ancient paths that connected the island in past centuries.

Information

General information

• Region: Campania
• Metropolitan city: Naples
• Area: 6.39 km²
• Altitude: 275 m above sea level
• Maximum elevation: 589 m - Monte Solaro
• Habitants: 6.833 (as of 31.12.2022)
• Name of inhabitants: Anacapri
• Name in dialect: Anacapri
• Patron Saint: Saint Anthony of Padua (13th June)
• Official site: www.comunedianacapri.it