naviquan

Capri is an island and to reach it you can use an aliscafo (hydrofoil) if you are coming from Naples or hire/rent a boat if you are coming from places located on the Amalfi coast. For example, from Positano it is about 30 minutes on a speed boat (11 miles). This adventure be very pleasant and entertaining if the sea is not rough.

Approaching Capri, Marina Grande. Do not expect to see a green paradise with golden beaches while nearing Capri - grey, uninviting cliffs: an unassailable fortress is rising from the see, and you wonder if there is really a place where the boat can be anchored.

Approaching Marina Grande harbor with a motorboat. Marina Grande is a usual port of destination for boats and hydrofoils. It is in the North of the island. There is Marina Piccola in the Southern part of Capri.

Capri, Marina Grande - view from its pier. Marina Grande is a rather busy port. Small and big boats arrive and depart with crowds of eager tourists (by some estimates up to ten thousand people per a nice sunny day). But the pier is long and has plenty of place for everybody.

Capri, Marina Grande. After 5 minutes of walk along the pier you get to a big square surrounded with shops, restaurants, cafes. This is the port. It does not look very attractive: as all ports it is dirty and too shabby for a paradise island.

If you have limited time, hiring a taxi may be a solution for a quick tour around the island. You can find plenty of them near the port. For €100 (prices of 2008) you can hire a taxi for a whole day, and a taxi driver is always willing to be your guide.

When you leave the Marina Grande port, roads (Via Marina Grande) are not that pretty. Via Marina Grande leads the way up and up between two stone walls from the right and left as a narrow corridor. You can only guess that somewhere behind the left wall must be the sea.

But roads become more and more picturesque while you approaching Anacapri (via Proviniciale Anacapri), and one can say definitely dangerous. You have a cliff on your left which goes up and cliff on your right ending many feet down in the sea. Fortunately, the right part of the road is fenced.

Museum-House of Villa San Michele - the most visited tourist attraction in Anacapri - as viewed from the road to Anacapri. It was built in the place of old Roman ruins 327 meters above sea level and is famous for its breathtaking views and beautiful gardens. When you pass the entrance to villa you cannot stop thinking about a steep salita you need to conquer.

View on Marina Grande from the road to Anacapri. If you hire a convertible taxi you will enjoy beautiful views like this one on your way to Monte Solaro. The view from the land to Marina Grande and surrounding cliffs is much more inviting than in the opposite direction from the sea to the Island of Capri.

Anacapri, Viale Tommaso de Tommaso which flows into via Giuseppe Orlandi - the main shopping and luxury hotel street. It is the last part of the carriageway between Marina Grande and Anacapri. Giuseppe Orlandi was a provincial advisor, who made possible the construction. The last section of the road, which passes through the residential center of Anacapri, was named after him in 1877.

Shops in the area of Piazza Vittoria (Anacapri, Capri, Italy) where the chairlift station is located. If you want to get to Monte Solaro, first you need to get to Piazza Vittoria. Piazza Vittoria is a busy place and, as a center of Anacapri, represents a tourist attraction by itself.

The chairlift station for Monte Solaro is in front of you. It is situated practically in the center of Piazza Vittoria and marked by broad brick steps with white stripes. Expect to stand in a line, in high season it may be a long one. Round trip to Monte Solaro was €8 in 2008.

It takes 12 minutes by chairlift from Piazza Vittoria to reach the top of the mountain (589 meters above sea level). And though the line may be long, it moves quickly with the help of the chairlift workers. Opening hours: March - October : Non-stop 9.30 to 18.30, November - February: non-stop 10.30 to 15.00

While sitting in one of the chairs you can see terraced slope of Monte Solaro with different kind of vegetation, small villas as well as shacks and abandoned structures right under your feet.

You can enjoy views of Anacapri while going up to the top and the higher you are pulled up with your chair the more breathtaking and beautiful views of Anacapri are, the sea and far standing shores with mountains open to you.

Arriving to the top of the mounting with the chairlift. Twelve minutes have passed, and you are on the top of Monte Solaro. The place is a good observation spot but don't stop there - the top of the mountain is about 100 feet from here.

The chairlift upper terminal with the return bullwheel.

At the top of the Monte Solaro (Mount Solaro). You feel like you can fly, and you begin to understand what eternal beauty you have just come across. This is a view on Amalfi Coast; you can also see Faraglioni down below.

There are several observation platforms in all directions on the top. The top of Monte Solaro is a flat huge terrace paved with cobe stones which opens 360 degree view from Gulf of Naples with the Mount Vesuvius up to the Sorrentine peninsula and the islands of Procida and Ischia.

This platform is not for those with high anxiety. When you step on it It seems that the platform is floating in the air and you are floating together with it over the sea. The feeling is literally breathtaking and unforgettable but may be disturbing for some people.

View from one of the near vertical cliffs down. The whole Island of Capri is about vertical cliffs. It stands in the sea like a fortress with its walls and fortifications. Mount Tiberio (334 m.), and Mount Solaro (589 m. or 1930 ft) are the two main peaks on the Island.

Rock formations on the top of Monte Solaro, Capri, Italy. Capri is made of limestone cliffs. The geology of the Island is unique, it represents both interesting rock formations and natural grottos, the most famous of them is the Blue Grotto.

The top of the mountain is actually flat - the murmur of the wind and blue sky and astonishing views: that's how we remember Monte Solaro

From the top you can enjoy 360 degree panorama of the island of Capri and the view of its two towns.

In addition to cliffs, you can find plenty of flora. The limestone rocks of the Island are covered with over 850 specimens of lush vegetation. Some plants were imported to the island; others as Mediterranean bush or hollies are local.

View on Capri from Monte Solaro. It's a bit confusing, but Capri is also the name of the main town on the Isle of Capri. The town of Capri is located in the saddle between Monte Santa Maria and Monte Tiberio in a commanding location above Marina Piccola and Marina Grande. The town of Capri is the most populated area on the island (more than 7,000 people).

Some slopes of Monte Solaro look like a beautiful park. On Capri you can find mastic tree, myrtle, arbutus, heather, numerous varieties of pine tree, cypresses, hollies and even oak tree. Climate of the Island happened to be a perfect habitat for plants such as bougainvillea, wisteria, agave, eucalyptus, Indian fig, and dwarf palms.

In 50s, Canzone del Cielo complex was built, with swimming pool, solarium, restaurant and American bar; the latter remains open today.

The bar on top of the mountain has a large terrace with chaise lounge and other chairs to enjoy the place and spend time in listening to the wind.

Part of the remains of Fortino di Bruto, a military fortification built in 1806. The ruins of a fortress that was erected by the British in 1806 on the foundation of a medieval structure Fortino di Bruto (visible near the chairlift station).

Inside the bar on Monte Solaro, Capri, Italy. You sit on a chair in this bar with a feeling that there is nothing around you except the wind, the sky and the sea on the horizon.

Maps, some simple souvenirs (like post cards), gelato (ice cream), usual soft beverages, and limited choice of alcoholic drinks - those are your options in the bar

Chairlift upper terminal as seen from belvederes on the top - it is time to go down. You can also do it on feet - takes about an hour. The road is picturesque and smooth, goes slowly through vineyards and lemon trees.

Another peek at unforgettable Faraglioni. They seemed so peaceful and inviting from the top of Monte Solaro, but try to sail close to Faraglioni when the sea is not quite calm and you will see two dangerous cliffs, real Scylla and Charybdis.

At Ristorante La Piazzetta (via Marina Piccola) in Capri town. Before returning to Marina Grande we stopped at Restorante La Piazzetta, simple restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine - sea food specialties. Dinner for three with wine and digestivo (digestif) is €260 (prices 2008).