Capri & Ischia
About Capri & Ischia
The idyllic islands of Capri and Ischia are just a short ferry ride from Naples. Capri oozes glamour and style – charming streets are lined with chic boutiques and cafes that are perfect for people watching along with walking trails and spectacular sea cliffs and stunning sea caves.
Long a favoured spot for the rich and famous since the Roman empire, Capri continues to attract not just A-list celebrities but royalty as well. The mythical charm, breathtaking landscapes and the beauty of the turquoise seas that surround the island have all been inspirations to poets and scholars through many centuries.
There are two main towns – Capri which is accessed by a funicular railway from the port of Marina Grande and Anacapri steep uphill climb from Capri by local bus or taxi. Capri is the livelier but there are plenty of peaceful spots among the quieter surrounding hills with views over olive groves and garden terraces out to the blue of the Mediterranean. At the heart of Capri lies the popular Piazzetta – a flower-adorned square with superb views out over the Mediterranean Sea. The maze of winding streets that make up the heart of the town are the perfect spot for a wander, a drink in one of the many cafés or bars or simply to get lost in.
A few streets away is Via Camerelle, Capri’s fashion centre, where luxurious boutiques and sun-drenched cafes create the perfect setting for a shopping spree. One of the island’s top attractions is just mintes from this shopping idyll – the Gardens of Augustus. These beautiful botanical gardens have been established for more than 100 years and offer visitors perfumed pathways and awe-inspiring views over the famed Faraglioni rock formation.
Anacapri is exclusive and unspoiled complete with whitewashed villas and pink and purple bougainvillea. It’s also the lower station for the 12 minute chairlift ride to the summit of Mount Solaro with it’s even more breathtaking views. With just a main piazza and shopping street, surrounded by a number of peaceful back streets, Anacapri is a great choice for a laid-back Capri getaway.
Ischia is a much lesser known island tucked away yet in plain sight in the shadows of famous Capri. The locals love it for this reason alone! Holidays to Ischia are much more than a typical island escape - the island is famous for it’s spas. Visitors looking for something extra special will love the Cavascura thermal baths – the oldest on the island and set on a cliffside with hot natural showers and private Roman baths.
Most of the beaches along the famed Amalfi coastline and on neighbouring Capri are somewhat pebbly but much more laid back Ischia offers some of Campania’s best beaches in Maronti, Lacco Ameno and Citara with plush golden sand and crystal clear water. Celebrities aplenty are often seen on these beaches – with the likes of Leonardo di Caprio, Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow being among island visitors whilst filming of The Talented Mr Ripley was taking place.
The capital of the island is Porto d’Ischia where the high end boutiques rub shoulders with chic bars and restaurants in that Typically Italian style - waiters often offer tastes of the local limoncello to visitors as they wander. Porto d’Ischia (known simply as Ischia) is also home to the island’s biggest tourist attraction in the Aragonese Castle that dates from 474BC and juts out into the bay via a dramatic causeway.
On the other side of the island is Forio – the second town. Backed by rugged mountains and fronted by a lovely sandy beach, it’s an even slower pace of life here. The warren of historical streets and alleyways leads to sights such as the pastel baroque cathedral and the Il Torrione tower museum which is one of twelve 16th Century turrets found in the town. One of the best spots is hidden away behind the walls and is the Giardini la Mortella botanic gardens where a range of rare plants climb into the foothills of the mountains to a stunning vantage point high above the town.