Things to do in Anacapri

No. 18 of Night Attractions in Italy

Capri

Capri is located near the southern entrance of the Bay of Naples, facing the Sorrento Peninsula across the sea. The island is divided into two areas: Capri in the east and Anacapri in the west, featuring many white stone houses, winding pedestrian streets, and viewing platforms. Capri's Piazza Unberto I is the main hub of activity, with a concentration of cafes and shops nearby. Natural attractions include theBlue Grotto, Mount Solaro, and the Faraglioni rock formations, which can be explored by boat, cable car, or on foot. The island has a mild climate and lush vegetation, making it perfect for taking in the view, walking, and relaxing on vacation.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Capri Island

Blue Grotto

Blue Grotto is a sea cave on the northwest coast of Capri and an iconic local landmark. The magic of this cave lies in its unique visual effects. The entrance is low and narrow, allowing only small wooden boats to enter and exit when the sea is calm. Sunlight enters through an underwater opening below the entrance, and blue light diffuses upward through the water, illuminating the entire cave chamber in a deep blue. The seawater inside the cave is a transparent gem-like blue, and objects submerged in the water take on a silvery glow, showcasing a magical charm of light and shadow. Taking a boat into the cave is a unique experience: at the entrance, visitors transfer to small wooden boats rowed by local boatmen and lie down in the bottom of the boat. The boatman uses fixed facilities on the rock wall to guide the boat into the cave. Along the way, you can experience the unique blend of cave echoes and water colors, offering visitors a profound visual and sensory experience.

Sorrento

Sorrento is located near the Bay of Naples, with the entire town built atop seaside cliffs. The famous Italian song "Come Back to Sorrento" sings of this very town. The song has been sung for a century and has become a unique cultural symbol of Sorrento. The 16th-century poet Tasso was also born here, and the town square is named after him. The town is surrounded by lemon groves and olive trees, and Limoncello, a lemon liqueur made from local lemons, is a signature specialty of Sorrento. Piazza Torquato Tasso is the central starting point for sightseeing. Next to the square is the Valley of the Mills, a deep gorge embedded in the heart of the city, where abandoned old mills remain at the bottom, overgrown with vegetation. The Cloister of San Francesco was built in the 14th century, with arches and columns arranged in an interlaced pattern along the cloister. Museo Correale houses medieval sculptures, paintings, and local decorative arts, while the Museum of Wood Inlay is dedicated to showcasing the wood inlay craftsmanship that has continued in Sorrento for hundreds of years. Looking out from the edge of the cliffs, you can see the silhouette of Mount Vesuvius and Capri. The streets and alleys of the old town are winding, and the Marina Grande fishing village on the coast retains a rustic atmosphere, with colorful houses arranged along the harbor.

No. 17 of Best Things to Do in Campania

Gardens of Augustus

Gardens of Augustus, originally named "Krupp Gardens" after the German industrialist Friedrich Alfred Krupp who built it, is a garden established in the early 20th century that was renamedGardens of Augustusin 1918, a name it still bears today. Gardens of Augustus were designed as a terrace overlooking the sea, and it is indeed a great place to view the Mediterranean and Capri. From the gardens, you can see a 180-degree view of Capri, including the famous Capri landmark, the Faraglioni, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Faraglioni and Marina Piccola bay against the backdrop of the Mediterranean.

No. 16 of Night Attractions in Italy

Positano

Positano is a cliffside town on the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy. The entire town faces the sea, built into the mountainside, with colorful houses cascading from the cliff top down to the seaside. This "vertical" town layout is its distinctive feature. There are few roads in the town; instead, there are winding stone steps and narrow alleys, dotted with handicraft shops, galleries, and lemon-themed boutiques along the way. The town's landmark is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, whose iconic colorful dome often appears in classic images of Positano. The terrace in front of the church offers a panoramic view of the pier and the Mediterranean Sea. Walking down from the church to the seaside, you will find the main beach, Positano Spiaggia. This crescent-shaped beach connects the colorful buildings on the cliff with the blue sea. Alternatively, you can follow the coastal path to the slightly more distant Fornillo Beach, which is quieter.

No. 11 of Best Things to Do in Italy

Pompeii Archaeological Park

The Pompeii Archaeological Park is located on the shores of the Bay of Naples in southern Italy, with Mount Vesuvius as its backdrop. In 79 CE, the sudden eruption of the volcano buried the entire town under ash and pumice, inadvertently preserving its streets, houses, shops, and frescoes—freezing the daily life of an ancient Roman town at the moment of disaster. Beyond the ruins, the site also features poignant casts of victims: cavities left by decomposed bodies in hardened ash were filled with plaster by archaeologists, recreating their final moments, with a group of such casts displayed in the Garden of the Fugitives. The tour typically begins at the Porta Marina in the west, where the Temple of Venus, the patron goddess of Pompeii, stands on a high platform to the right of the entrance. Along the main street, visitors can see the rectangular Basilica with its recognizable column remnants and frescoes, followed by the ancient Temple of Apollo nearby. Further ahead lies the central forum, where the columns of the Temple of Jupiter frame the silhouette of Mount Vesuvius in the distance—a classic photo spot. The stone-paved streets outside the forum still bear deep ruts from ancient cart wheels. To the south are the Large Theatre and the covered Odeon, the latter once used for musical performances, with the Temple of Isis reflecting Egyptian influence nearby. Heading north to an intersection, the Stabian Baths offer a glimpse into ancient Romans' passion for bathing. Further east, the House of the Venus in the Shell features a small garden surrounded by a colonnade, with the famous fresco of Venus reclining in a shell still adorning the garden wall. At the southeastern end of the town stands the Amphitheatre, built around 2,000 years ago and capable of seating 20,000 spectators—one of the earliest surviving stone Roman amphitheatres, offering panoramic views from the upper seats. The House of the Faun in the northwest occupies almost an entire block; its excavated Alexander Mosaic is now housed in Naples' National Archaeological Museum. Nearby, the House of the Tragic Poet displays the famous "Beware of the Dog" mosaic at its entrance, with interior frescoes depicting mythological and theatrical scenes. The vast site offers limited shade, so allocate at least half a day for exploration, wear comfortable shoes, and bring water. Those interested in seeing the original Alexander Mosaic and other artifacts can pair their visit with the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Naples metropolitan area

Naples National Archaeological Museum

The Naples National Archaeological Museum houses a vast collection of ancient Greek and Roman artifacts, such as the world's largest single-piece ancient Greek sculpture, the Farnese bull, and the standard version of the statue of Heracles. Its collection of ancient Roman artifacts is unparalleled in Europe. It houses numerous treasures from the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, including exquisite mosaic frescoes and murals, vividly showcasing the daily life of ancient Romans. It serves as a window into the history and culture of Pompeii.

Mount Solaro

Mount Solaro is located on Cap Island, with an altitude of 589 meters, and is the highest peak on Cap Island. There are bunkers built for the Anglo-French War in the 19th century on the mountain, as well as a statue of Emperor Augustine, the man who landed on Cap Island. This limestone peak is home to more than 900 species of plants including bayberry, myrtle, holly, and fragrant trees. Many birds also visit frequently, including peregrine falcons. It is not difficult to climb Mount Solaro, either from passetiello or from AxelMunthe. Standing on the top of Mount Solaro, you can see the bays of Naples and Saleri, and there is a panoramic view of Procida Island.

Villa San Michele

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Naples metropolitan area

Sansevero Chapel Museum

This museum is located in the old town. It was originally the Cappella Sansevero church. Today, this church is no longer used for religious purposes and has been transformed into this museum. The museum houses the artworks of some famous Italian artists in the 18th century, the most famous of which are sculptures. The layer of gauze in the sculpture is as thin as the wings of a cicada, and it is unbelievable that you can clearly see the face, the thin bones and the blood vessels on the hands and feet! It is said that experts still have not been able to figure out how the artists of the time achieved this level of realism.