The Capri guide.
Everywhere you need to book this Summer.
I think I’ve been to Capri three times now and honestly - yes, it’s full of North Americans, and yes, it’s expensive, but it’s still one of the most undeniably beautiful places I’ve ever been. Everything about it feels rich and luxurious, even the sea.
I do actually have a funny story from my most recent trip in 2024. Was anyone else there the weekend that a pipe burst and the entire island ran out of water for the day? I know Paige DeSorbo was because she talked about it on her podcast. My boyfriend and I had literally just started dating, and let me tell you - sharing a hotel room with no running water is a real test to your relationship.
Thankfully, we had an unspoken agreement that neither of us would be using the toilet in our room. Even better, it happened on the same day we rented a boat to Nerano, so we managed to avoid the chaos for most of the day. At one point, my boyfriend had to wash my hair in the sink using 2L bottles of water. Truly a five-star experience but somehow, it made us love the island even more.
Here are all of my recommendations and favourite places.
Enjoy! x
APERITIVO
For those of you who don’t know, aperitivo is the Italian pre-dinner ritual: drinks plus light snacks meant to stimulate the appetite before dinner (aka the greatest part of an Italian holiday). I have some incredible hotel bar recommendations below, but I would also suggest aperitivo at any of the casual places in the Piazzetta. It’s so much fun and glamorous. I would aim for around 8:30PM and dinner at 9:30PM or 10PM.
Punta Tragara | One of the best aperitivos I've had anywhere. The terrace looks straight out over the Faraglioni and the light at that hour is something else. We happened to be there during a Bvlgari pop up event so I spent the whole time trying on jewellery, drinking cocktails and eating the snacks they brought us. What more could you ask for?
Il Riccio | If you’re in Anacapri, go to the Il Riccio Lounge at Jumeirah Capri Palace. It sits right on the water and has the kind of effortless, sun-bleached glamour that Capri does better than anywhere.
Caesar Augustus | I haven’t been here yet, but I’ve heard the bar terrace has gets one of the best sunsets on the island.
Hotel La Palma | The roof terrace here is the spot for cocktails with a view over the whole town. Oetker Collection properties always get the details right and La Palma is no exception.
BEACH CLUBS
When you're in Capri, my advice is to spend your days either on a boat or at a beach club, then your evenings out for dinner in town or at a hotel restaurant.
La Fontelina | The famous beach club with the blue and white striped umbrellas that you see in everyone’s photos.
Lido del Faro | A completely different mood from La Fontelina. Lido del Faro is located in Anacapri on the other side of the island - it's calmer, less crowded, and feels like more of a local find. Plus, it’s a long open-top taxi ride which is one of the highlights of Capri.
WHERE TO EAT
Villa Verde | One of the island's great social institutions - big garden terrace, a buzzy crowd, the occasional celebrity, and long late dinners. They introduced us to Greco di Tufo wines here and we barely drank anything else for the rest of the trip.
Mare by Casa Tua | A great lunch spot - this is the Hotel La Palma’s beach club restaurant, which is very chic.
Le Grotelle | Less flashy than the restaurants in town and all the better for it. The setting is extraordinary - it sits beside the Natural Arch and parts of the kitchen and dining room are built directly into the cave rock. Order the spaghetti alle vongole.
Ristorante Panorama Capri | Their pizzas are amazing and this is a good one to know if you want something unpretentious with a spectacular backdrop.
Aurora | A more fashionable spot in town, excellent for people-watching and less about the food.
WHERE TO SHOP
The shopping in Capri is in a league of its own. The main strip, Via Camerelle, is lined with designer boutiques - and many labels like Prada and Chanel release Capri-exclusive pieces you genuinely won't find anywhere else. Everything is beautifully displayed and the streets are gorgeous, which is an experience in itself.
Carthusia | I love buying a fragrance when I’m on holiday and wearing it for the entire trip. Afterwards, every time I smell it, I feel like I’m transported straight back there. Carthusia is the official perfume house on the island of Capri, known for elegant Mediterranean fragrances that feel airy, natural, and distinctly “Italian Summer.” I have the Via Camerelle and it’s to die for.
Canfora | For an iconic pair of handmade sandals.
WHAT TO DO
Rent a boat | We chartered a boat for a full day and they took us to Nerano for lunch at Lo Scogglio then we cruised around the island and they took us to some amazing swimming spots. We loved it. Usually you can do this directly through your hotel but we found one quite a bit cheaper elsewhere and it was perfect.
This post has me ready for long hot days, brown tanned summer skin and yes, limoncellos on tap. It's hard to focus on work now ha!