Capri is the small rocky island off the Sorrento Peninsula that has drawn emperors, film stars and fashion houses for more than 2,000 years. It’s only about six kilometres long, yet it has two towns, two harbours, the famous Faraglioni rocks and coastal paths with the sea beneath you all the way. If you’re wondering where to stay on Capri, this guide walks you through the best options.
I’ll be honest: Capri is expensive, and during the day the island is packed with day-trippers from Naples and Sorrento. On the other hand, if you stay overnight, you’ll have the island almost to yourself in the evening. Here are my five suggested areas, with three hotels in each.
Contents
Where to Stay on Capri: The Best Areas
- Capri Town and the Piazzetta - best area for first-timers and nightlife
- Anacapri - best area for budget travellers, families and hiking
- Marina Grande - best area for short stays and easy access to the ferries
- Marina Piccola - best area for a beach holiday
- Via Tragara and Punta Tragara - best area for luxury, peace and quiet, and views
Below, I go through the areas one by one with a map, transport, price level and three hotels in each, from luxury to budget. The prices come from a search for a weekend in May for two people, so expect higher prices in July and August. Also bear in mind that many hotels on Capri close from late autumn until around Easter, so the choice is far smaller in winter.
1. Capri Town and the Piazzetta - best area for first-timers and nightlife 🥂
- 📍 Distance to the Piazzetta: You’re right in the thick of it. From most hotels in town, it’s a 2 to 10-minute walk to the Piazzetta, officially called Piazza Umberto I.
- 🚡 Transport: The funicular from Marina Grande ends right by the Piazzetta, and the buses to Anacapri and Marina Piccola stop at the bus terminal a few steps away. The town itself is car-free, so you walk everywhere.
- ✈️ Time from Naples Airport: Allow about 2 hours in total, taking the Alibus to Molo Beverello, a fast ferry to Marina Grande and the funicular up to town.
- 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £155 to £1,280 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Very safe, even late in the evening. The streets are crowded from about 10am to 5pm while the day-trippers are here, so keep an eye on your bag in the crush at the funicular.
Capri Town sits on the saddle between the island’s two mountains, and the Piazzetta is its little living room, with café tables, the bell tower and the church of Santo Stefano. Narrow, whitewashed lanes run off the square in every direction, and on Via Camerelle and Via Vittorio Emanuele the pricey fashion boutiques sit side by side with small shops selling limoncello and handmade sandals.
During the day, the town is frankly too crowded to be enjoyable. Once the last ferry has left, the atmosphere changes, and this is where people come out to see and be seen over an aperitivo. Do walk down Via Matteotti to the Giardini di Augusto, where you look out over the Faraglioni and Via Krupp, and visit the old Carthusian monastery, the Certosa di San Giacomo, which is part of Capri’s state museums.
See hotels in Capri Town here.
I’d stay here if it’s your first trip to Capri, or if you only have one or two nights. You have the restaurants, bars and funicular right on your doorstep. The funicular costs €2.40 (around £2), and the island’s porters can take your suitcase from the harbour all the way to your hotel for about €25 (around £21) per item. If you’d rather see more of the coast, you can also read where to stay on the Amalfi Coast.
The downside is the price. Hotels in Capri Town are among the most expensive in Italy, and even small B&Bs are pricey in high season. There are also lots of steps, and taxis can’t drive all the way to most hotels.
Hotels in Capri Town
Hotel La Palma - five-star classic a stone’s throw from the Piazzetta
Hotel La Palma is on Via Vittorio Emanuele, about 100 metres from the Piazzetta, and is one of the oldest hotels on the island. There’s a pool, a spa and a beach club that’s only open in season, and the hotel had one of the highest guest ratings in my search. Some guests find it can be a little noisy at night.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic location with the most incredible staff. The service exceeded all expectations.”
See photos and book Hotel La Palma here.
Hotel Syrene - four-star hotel with a pool in the heart of town
Hotel Syrene is on Via Camerelle, about a 5-minute walk from the Piazzetta, and has a pool with a pool bar and sea views. Breakfast is a buffet, and there’s a lift. The downside is the many steps up to the hotel, so it’s a good idea to send your suitcase with the porters from the harbour.
From one review: “Fantastic and perfect location, friendly staff, a lovely pool and small but well-equipped rooms.”
See photos and book Hotel Syrene here.
Villa dei Fiori B&B - small B&B with a garden three minutes from the Piazzetta
Villa dei Fiori is on Via Acquaviva, just west of the Piazzetta, and has a garden and a terrace where you’re served an Italian breakfast. It was the cheapest of my three picks in town, and guests especially praise the hosts. There’s no pool or lift.
One guest highlights: “The hosts are absolutely wonderful, warm and welcoming, and really go the extra mile.”
See photos and book Villa dei Fiori B&B here.
2. Anacapri - best area for budget, families and hiking 🥾
- 📍 Distance to the Piazzetta: Anacapri is about 3 kilometres west of Capri Town and higher up. The bus from Piazza Vittoria to Capri Town takes about 15 minutes.
- 🚌 Transport: Buses run from Anacapri to Capri Town, Marina Grande, Marina Piccola, the Blue Grotto and the lighthouse at Punta Carena. Taxis can drive right up to most hotels.
- ✈️ Time from Naples Airport: About 2.5 hours in total by Alibus, fast ferry to Marina Grande and bus or taxi up to Anacapri.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £110 to £1,600 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Quiet and safe. The road between Anacapri and Capri Town is narrow and steep, so don’t walk along it; take the bus or a taxi instead.
Anacapri is the island’s second town, and it feels more like an ordinary Italian village than Capri Town. The houses are white and low, the streets around Piazza Vittoria are lined with little shops and trattorias, and in the evening it’s the locals who sit out on the square. Prices for both hotels and food are generally lower than down in Capri Town.
From Piazza Vittoria, the chairlift goes up to Monte Solaro, the island’s highest point at 589 metres, where you can look out over the whole Bay of Naples. Right next door is Villa San Michele, built by the Swedish doctor and writer Axel Munthe in the early 1900s. A ticket costs 12 euros (around £10) for adults, and the garden with its pergola offers one of the most beautiful views on the island.
The Blue Grotto lies on the north-west coast below Anacapri, and the bus runs down there from the town. The grotto can only be visited in small rowing boats, and it closes when there are waves, so head down early in the day if the sea is calm.
I’d choose Anacapri if you want more hotel for your money, if you’re travelling with children, or if you want to go hiking. From the town, paths lead to Monte Solaro and along the west coast past the old forts, and the bus runs down to the Blue Grotto. Many hotels here have a pool and garden, which is rare in Capri Town.
The downside is that you depend on the bus or a taxi whenever you want to get to the Piazzetta or the harbour. The buses are small and often packed in the morning, and there are far fewer departures in the evening, so check when the last bus leaves if you want to eat in Capri Town.
Hotels in Anacapri
Jumeirah Capri Palace - luxury resort with a spa and its own beach club
Jumeirah Capri Palace is on Via Capodimonte, a few minutes’ walk from Piazza Vittoria, and is the most exclusive hotel in Anacapri. You get a mosaic pool, a spa and a hotel shuttle to the Il Riccio beach club by the Blue Grotto. It was the most expensive hotel in my entire search, and some guests point out that not all rooms have a sea view.
One guest writes briefly on Booking.com: “The service was impeccable.”
See photos and book Jumeirah Capri Palace here.
Hotel San Michele - large hotel with a garden and pool at the entrance to the town
Hotel San Michele is on Via Giuseppe Orlandi at the eastern end of Anacapri, with views towards the Bay of Naples. There’s a large pool, a garden and a panoramic restaurant, and the bus to Capri Town stops right outside. Guests mention that the decor is a little old-fashioned and in need of a refurbishment.
From one review: “The location, the room and the hotel were simply fantastic.”
See photos and book Hotel San Michele here.
Villa Pollio Guest House - cheap, highly rated guesthouse in the village
Villa Pollio is also on Via Giuseppe Orlandi, a few minutes’ walk from Piazza Vittoria. The rooms have air conditioning, and breakfast is served in your room. It was one of the cheapest places in my search across the whole island, and the downside is that there’s no pool or restaurant.
One guest writes: “Fantastic location, close to everything.”
See photos and book Villa Pollio Guest House here.
3. Marina Grande - best area for short stays and easy access to the ferries ⛴️
- 📍 Distance to the Piazzetta: The funicular from the harbour up to the Piazzetta takes a few minutes, and on foot it takes around 25 minutes up steps and paths.
- ⛴️ Transport: All the ferries and hydrofoils dock here, and the buses to Capri Town and Anacapri leave from the harbour. This is also where the boat trips around the island and to the Blue Grotto start.
- ✈️ Time from Naples Airport: Around 1.5 to 2 hours in total with the Alibus to Molo Beverello and a hydrofoil to Marina Grande.
- 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost around £235 to £1,100 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Safe. The quayside is chaotic when lots of ferries dock at once, so keep a firm hold on your luggage and watch out for the taxis and minibuses.
Marina Grande is the island’s main harbour on the north coast, and it’s where you’ll arrive. From Naples, the hydrofoils from Molo Beverello take around 50 minutes, while the slower ferries from Calata Porta di Massa take around an hour and a half. From Sorrento the crossing takes just 20 to 30 minutes, and you’ll find all departures in the tourist office’s ferry timetable. I’ve explained how to get from the airport to the port in my guide from Naples Airport to the city centre.
The harbour is lined with colourful houses, fishing boats, cafés and a small pebble beach, and west of the harbour you can swim by the ruins of Bagni di Tiberio. The boats around the island leave from here, and a boat trip around Capri with the grottoes costs from around 25 euros (around £21).
See hotels at Marina Grande here.
I’d stay here if you only have one night, or if you’re arriving late or leaving early. You avoid hauling your suitcase up steps, and you can catch the first boat back. It’s also the obvious choice if you’re combining Capri with a stay in Sorrento or a few nights in Naples.
The downside is that the harbour is busy and noisy during the day and fairly quiet in the evening, when the restaurants close earlier than in Capri Town. The hotels are also spread out along the road west of the harbour, so check the distance to the quay before you book. In the late morning and late afternoon there are long queues for the funicular as the day-trippers come and go, and then the bus up to Capri Town can be quicker.
Hotels at Marina Grande
Villa Marina Capri - five-star hotel with a spa and garden above the harbour
Villa Marina sits on the hillside west of the harbour, around 5 minutes from both the quay and the funicular. You get a spa, pool, garden and a free shuttle, and the hotel had the highest guest rating of the harbour hotels in my search. A few guests would like a little more variety at breakfast.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “We had the most beautiful suite with views over Capri’s great cliffs.”
See photos and book Villa Marina Capri here.
Relais Maresca - small hotel on the quayside with a roof terrace and restaurant
Relais Maresca looks right out over the harbour, a 2 to 3-minute walk from the ferries, and the terrace restaurant is the hotel’s strongest card. There’s a lift, and the staff help with your luggage. There’s no pool, and some guests feel the hotel is simpler than the price suggests.
From one review: “The restaurant is outstanding, hats off to the chef!”
See photos and book Relais Maresca here.
Hotel Belvedere e Tre Re - simple three-star hotel with views over the harbour
Belvedere e Tre Re is on Via Marina Grande, a few minutes’ walk from the quay, and has a sun terrace overlooking the boats. It was the cheapest proper hotel at the harbour in my search. Guests mention that the rooms vary in standard and that breakfast is basic.
One guest highlights: “The location, close to the port and with a fantastic panoramic view, was unbeatable.”
See photos and book Hotel Belvedere e Tre Re here.
4. Marina Piccola - best area for a beach holiday 🏖️
- 📍 Distance to the Piazzetta: The bus up to Capri Town takes about 10 minutes, and on foot it’s roughly a 20-minute climb up the Via Mulo stepped path.
- 🚌 Transport: Buses to Capri Town and Anacapri. Several hotels run their own shuttle into town.
- ✈️ Time from Naples Airport: About 2 to 2.5 hours in total by Alibus, fast ferry to Marina Grande and then bus or taxi across the island.
- 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three places below cost around €215 to €400 (roughly £180 to £335) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Safe. The road down to the bay is narrow and winding, so take the stepped path rather than walking along the road.
Marina Piccola is the little bay on the south side of the island, and it’s where Capri feels most like a beach holiday. The bay is split into two small beaches by the Scoglio delle Sirene rock, and alongside the public beach there are beach clubs where you can hire sunloungers and a parasol for the day. The water is clear and pale blue, and from the beach you can see the Faraglioni rocks to the east.
Above the bay, the Via Mulo stepped path winds up towards Capri Town between gardens and villas, and that’s where most of the area’s hotels are. From here you can also walk the Via Krupp, the famous zigzag path up to the Gardens of Augustus, but it has been closed at times because of the risk of falling rocks, so check whether it’s open before you head there.
See hotels at Marina Piccola here.
I’d stay here if you’re spending several days on Capri and mostly want to swim, sunbathe and have lunch by the water. You get the beach to yourself early in the morning and late in the afternoon, once the day-trip boats have left. The hotels here are also a little cheaper than in Capri Town. The beach clubs have restaurants where you can have lunch by the water, but prices are high. The public beach is free, but it’s small, so arrive early if you want a spot.
The downside is that it’s uphill every time you want to go into town, and the beach is small and packed in the middle of the day in high season. There are few restaurants in the evening, so most people take the bus up to the Piazzetta for dinner.
Hotels at Marina Piccola
Hotel Della Piccola Marina - four-star hotel with sea views and a pool
Hotel Della Piccola Marina is on Via Mulo, about a 10-minute walk from both the Piazzetta and the beach. You get a pool with sea views, a spa and a breakfast with local pastries. A few guests have complained about the cleaning and maintenance.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The pool area and the pool bar with snacks and drinks were fantastic.”
See photos and book Hotel Della Piccola Marina here.
Hotel Weber Ambassador - large hotel with two pools right above the bay
Weber Ambassador is on Via Marina Piccola just above the beach and has two pools, a hot tub and a free shuttle into town. In my search, it had by far the most reviews of any hotel on the island. Some guests feel the hotel needs a refurbishment to live up to its four stars.
From one review: “Incredible view, lovely pool.”
See photos and book Hotel Weber Ambassador here.
To Be Capri Sea View Rooms - peaceful B&B with sea views on Via Mulo
To Be Capri Sea View Rooms is on Via Mulo, about a 7-minute walk from the beach. You get sea views and an Italian breakfast, and the price was the lowest of the three here. There’s no pool, and there are steps both down to the beach and up to town.
One of the guests writes: “A superb B&B in a very peaceful and beautiful spot.”
See photos and book To Be Capri Sea View Rooms here.
5. Via Tragara and Punta Tragara - best area for luxury, peace and views 🌅
- 📍 Distance to the Piazzetta: Around a 15 to 20-minute walk along the flat Via Tragara from the viewpoint to the Piazzetta.
- 🚶 Transport: Neither buses nor taxis run along Via Tragara, so you walk everywhere. The porters at the harbour can take your suitcase all the way to your hotel.
- ✈️ Time from Naples Airport: Around 2 to 2.5 hours in total by Alibus, fast ferry, funicular and the walk out along Via Tragara.
- 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £135 to £1,175 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: One of the quietest and safest spots on the island. The paths down to the sea are steep, so wear proper shoes.
Via Tragara is a car-free promenade that runs south-east from Capri Town past white villas, lemon groves and bougainvillea. It ends at the Belvedere di Tragara, where you stand right above the Faraglioni, the three rock stacks in the sea that are Capri’s most famous sight. From here, a long stepped path leads down to the bathing spots by the Faraglioni.
From Via Tragara you can also carry on along the Pizzolungo path, which follows the coast past the Grotta di Matermania to the Arco Naturale, a natural rock arch high above the sea. The walk takes a couple of hours and is one of the most beautiful on the island. Out on Monte Tiberio in the north-east lie the ruins of Emperor Tiberius’ Villa Jovis.
See hotels near Via Tragara here.
I would choose Via Tragara if you’re a couple on honeymoon or an anniversary trip, or if you want Capri’s luxury without the crowds around the Piazzetta. You walk into town for dinner and back again along a quiet promenade long after the day-trippers have sailed away. The view of the Faraglioni at sunset is hard to beat.
The promenade is also one of the best places for an evening stroll. From the Piazzetta you walk along Via Camerelle past the expensive shops, and the further out along Via Tragara you go, the quieter it gets. Late in the evening you’ll meet almost nobody but hotel guests and locals walking their dogs.
The downside is that you have a fair walk to everything, including with shopping bags and in the heat. There are hardly any restaurants out at Tragara, and the few hotels here are among the most expensive on the island, so the cheapest option is a little further in towards town.
Hotels near Via Tragara
Hotel Punta Tragara - luxury hotel right above the Faraglioni
Hotel Punta Tragara sits right out at the viewpoint and has two pools, one of them heated, plus a spa and a restaurant overlooking the Faraglioni. You can’t stay any closer to the rocks. Some guests feel the spa treatments are pricey and that you can hear the other rooms.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The view from the hotel is amazing. The location is everything.”
See photos and book Hotel Punta Tragara here.
Villa Mariuccia Capri - rooms and apartments with a garden on Via Tragara
Villa Mariuccia is on Via Tragara around 100 metres from the viewpoint and has a garden and terraces with views. It’s a good choice if you want to stay in the same spot as the luxury hotels for a fraction of the price. Guests mention that the facilities and towels could do with an upgrade.
From a review: “You can wrap yourself in the most breathtaking view!”
See photos and book Villa Mariuccia Capri here.
La Reginella Capri - budget family hotel with a breakfast terrace
La Reginella is on Via Matermania just north of Via Tragara, on the way to the Arco Naturale. It’s a small family-run hotel with a terrace and sea views, and it had the highest score of the budget places on the island in my search. The walk from town is uphill, which can be hard going in the heat.
One of the guests writes: “A fantastic, memorable stay in a friendly, homely hotel with an overwhelming view.”
See photos and book La Reginella Capri here.
Where not to stay on Capri?
I would avoid the cheapest apartments and B&Bs on the outskirts of Anacapri and on the slopes between Capri Town and Anacapri, where you rely entirely on the bus and often have to walk along narrow roads without pavements. Also watch out for places that call themselves Capri but are out at Punta Carena or Damecuta, far from both towns and the harbour.
If you’re travelling by car, remember that tourists aren’t allowed to bring cars to Capri. Leave it in a car park in Sorrento or Naples. And don’t book a hotel far out along Via Tragara or up the steps in Capri Town if you have trouble walking or lots of luggage.
If it’s your first trip to Capri, I would stay in Capri Town close to the Piazzetta. If you want more for your money or are travelling with children, Anacapri is the best choice, and if you only have one night or early ferries, stay at Marina Grande. If you’re mainly there to swim, go for Marina Piccola, and if you want peace, luxury and views of the Faraglioni, stay near Via Tragara.
The fast ferries to Capri are run by NLG, among others, while Caremar operates the cheaper, slower ferries from Naples. If you have more days in the area, you can also read about getting from Naples to Sorrento, the sights in Naples and where to stay on Ischia, the neighbouring island in the Bay of Naples. In season, boats also run between Capri and Positano, so if you want to combine the island with the mainland, you can read where to stay in Positano.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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