Where to Stay in Capri, Italy: Best Areas for First Visit (+Map & Tips)
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Planning a trip to Capri Island in Italy and wondering where to stay? This guide covers the best areas and hotels in Capri and tips based on our personal experience.
We’ll help you choose the best place to stay in Capri, highlight key differences between Capri Town, Marina Grande (the harbor area), and Anacapri, and share practical tips for booking accommodation.
Good to know: Capri is a seasonal destination and many hotels and restaurants are only open from around April to late October – early November. But even if you visit the island in the lower season, you will find plenty to do and lots of nice places to stay in Capri.
PRO TIP: Visiting Capri in the warm season? Book your accommodation well in advance for the best selection and value. Once on the island—or even a few days before—secure dinner reservations, as popular restaurants fill up quickly.
For a complete resource on where to stay in Capri and our top hotel picks in each area, check out the detailed article below. But first – my personal recommendations for first-time visitors.
My Hand-Picked Recommendations
If you don’t have the time to read the entire article, here are my top mid-budget hotel recommendations in Capri for first-time visitors.
Simply click on the hotel name for more details and rates:
- Relais Maresca Luxury Small Hotel. This typical Capri-style hotel is very conveniently located close to the harbor, shops, and restaurants. Its location is perfect for sightseeing. If you are looking for a place to stay in Capri for just one or two nights, I wouldn’t even look any further, but it’s also an excellent choice for a longer vacation.
- A very popular and great value 4* Hotel Weber Ambassador. This hotel has a stunning location with direct access to the beach at Marina Piccola and a free shuttle service to the Capri town center. It’s a great choice for those looking to combine sightseeing as well as a relaxing beach vacation.
- One of the most popular hotels in the Capri town center: Regina Cristina. This rather simple traditional hotel is located close to everything in town.
- Hotel San Michele – one of the best price/quality hotels on the island. This popular 4*hotel has a stunning cliffside location, a few minutes’ walk from the center of Anacapri.
Where to Stay in Capri – Overview:
READ ALSO: Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast
How much time do you need in Capri?
The majority of tourists visit Capri for a day from Sorrento, from Naples, or from the Amalfi Coast. However, Capri is well worth a longer stay or even an entire vacation!
While it’s possible to see the main highlights of Capri in just a day, the island has so much to offer that it deserves more time! Even if you are mostly interested in sightseeing, we recommend spending at least 2-3 days in Capri.
If you stumbled upon this article while still doubting whether to visit Capri for a day or stay on the island, I highly recommend staying in Capri, even if only for one or two nights. Staying longer will allow you to get beyond the most popular tourist routes, see some amazing scenery, and experience the more authentic side of this unique island. Plus, you will have mornings and evenings to explore the island without the biggest crowds of day-trippers.
READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Capri
Best places to stay in Capri + Map
Before diving into specific accommodations, it’s helpful to know that most accommodations and hotels in Capri are located in three main areas: Marina Grande, Capri Town, and Anacapri.
You’ll find these spots marked on the map below, but what the map doesn’t show is the island’s significant elevation changes, narrow roads, and car-free zones—making getting around less straightforward than it might seem.
Read on to find the best area for your stay in Capri.
Marina Grande vs. Capri vs. Anacapri
Marina Grande is located by the sea and is the main harbor of Capri. This is where you arrive on the island by ferry and it is also the place where boat tours start.
Capri town center is located on a hill right above Marina Grande. It’s the bustling center of the island where you will find the most popular shopping areas, lots of restaurants, and hotels. Capri can be reached from Marina Grande by funicular, by bus, or by taxi.
Anacapri is located yet a bit higher than Capri on the other side of the island. It’s a smaller town with a more local atmosphere. There are many hotels and accommodations in Anacapri too, but it’s incomparably quieter than Capri. Anacapri can be reached by bus or taxi from Marina Grande or from Capri town, and there’s also a steep staircase – Phoenician Steps (921 of them!) – that connects Anacapri on the hill to Marina Grande by the sea.
Further below, you can find more information about each of these places, together with specific hotel suggestions for different budgets. However, please note that Capri is really not a budget destination and so ‘budget’ is a relative term here. The best way to save money is by booking well in advance when you have more choices.
TIP: Once you figure out where to stay in Capri, use the map below to find the best deals for your stay. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see what’s available. Alternatively, see our detailed guide and hand-picked hotel recommendations below.
Marina Grande
Marina Grande is the best area to stay in Capri if you want to be as close to the harbor as possible. Staying here makes it easy to get to your accommodation upon arrival – you can just walk to your hotel or apartment without having to queue for the bus or funicular or pay for an expensive taxi. Being close to the harbor means less hassle with your luggage and more time left for sightseeing.
If you are planning to take a boat tour around the island and visit the Blue Grotto or spend more time at a beach, staying at Marina Grande is also very convenient.
Another advantage of staying here is that you can easily get to Capri and Anacapri from Marina Grande by funicular, bus, or stairs. Also, the bus cost is the same no matter which way you go since you pay per ride.
Marina Grande is a very lively area with a harbor, ferries, and boat tours, but also restaurants, cafes, and shops. There are also a few beaches here. It’s crowded during the day. However, it’s much quieter in the evenings when all the day tourists leave, so you can also enjoy the more local side of island life.
Conclusion: Marina Grande is a great place to stay if you are in Capri for just 1 or 2 nights (no hassle of traveling far with luggage). It’s also a good place for those who want to stay within short walking distance of the beach.
Marina Grande Hotels
Marina Grande is a rather small area and there are just a few hotels here. Luckily, there are some really nice choices for various budgets. In addition, there are many privately rented apartments as well (too many to mention – you can see all the options here).
TIP: Pay attention to the exact location of your accommodation. While some of them are indeed located directly by the harbor, some others are just a little higher on the hill and might require a bit longer walk with your suitcases.
Here are some of the best hotels in Marina Grande for all budgets:
€€€€€+ Villa Marina Capri Hotel & Spa.
€€€€€ Luxury Villa Excelsior Parco.
€€€€ Relais Maresca (one of our top picks – the nicest upper mid-range hotels in this area).
€€€ Capri Inn (simple accommodation with amazing sea views and fantastic customer reviews).
€€ B&B Palazzo a Mare (one of the best lower-budget options).
Capri
Capri town is the most popular place to stay in Capri. This is where you will find the big majority of the nicest hotels on the island, but also lower-budget B&Bs, private rentals, etc.
This is also where you will find a post office, a big supermarket, lots of restaurants, and countless shops selling everything from local food and souvenirs to the most expensive clothing from the world’s most famous fashion brands.
Good to know: Capri Town is quite spread out (Marina Grande is actually part of it too), so there’s a lot to see and do here. The biggest part of the town is car-free with narrow walkable streets. Many of the nicest landmarks of Capri are within walking distance of the town center. But if you decide to stay here, you have to be prepared to do quite some walking, especially if you stay further away from the main square.
Also, since Capri is located on the hill, you cannot easily get to a beach from here. All the beaches are located much lower than the town center and can be accessed either by taking a bus/taxi or by walking which usually involves lots of stairs.
TIP: If visiting Capri in the summer, I highly recommend looking for a hotel with a pool. Read on for more information and hotel recommendations!
TIP: If you decide to stay in Capri town, be sure to pay attention to where exactly your accommodation is located. Pretty much anything east of Piazzetta di Capri is inaccessible by car, so you will have to walk there on foot. Some bigger hotels will probably send a special narrow car to pick up your luggage, but even those ‘cars’ only have space for a driver and one passenger.
Walking around is part of the Capri experience and you will love it. But it’s always good to know in advance what to expect, especially if mobility and accessibility are of concern to you.
Also, keep in mind that the bus/taxi stop is at Piazza Martiri d’Ungheria and the funicular stop is at Piazzetta di Capri (both very close to the main town center). So if you are planning to do lots of sightseeing in a short time, it’s best to stay within 10-15 minutes walking distance from here.
Capri Hotels
There are so many hotels and accommodations in Capri that it’s really difficult to make a selection of a few ‘best’ ones. The places we highlighted below are chosen for their convenient central location and excellent customer reviews. We also try to give some of the best options for various budgets.
Also, keep in mind that – in general – hotels and apartments in Capri town tend to be more expensive than hotels in Anacapri or Marina Grande. On the other hand, there’s also much more choice, so the price depends on the lodging you choose rather than the town.
Here are some of the best hotels in Capri for various budgets:
€€€€€€+ Capri Tiberio Palace – The Leading Hotels of the World.
€€€€ Hotel Mamela (more-affordable luxury).
€€€ Hotel La Tosca (excellent value – book well ahead!).
€€+ Regina Cristina (very popular).
Apartments and holiday homes. If you are traveling on a lower budget or with a bigger family, you may want to look into apartments and guesthouses in Capri. Fuorlovado40 is one of the best-rated options.
Our recent experience: We visited Capri with our three kids and – since most hotels don’t have family rooms for 5 people – we opted for a holiday home instead. We stayed at A varca ra neve, a holiday home in Capri town center, close to several bus stops and about 5 minutes walk from the funicular. The location was central yet very quiet and it was perfect for sightseeing.
Anacapri
Anacapri is also a really nice place to stay in Capri. It’s especially suitable for those who want to avoid the biggest crowds and are looking for a more authentic atmosphere. While – in general – hotels in Anacapri are cheaper than in Capri, there are some really nice high-end luxury resorts here as well.
Most tourists come here to visit the top of Monte Solaro and don’t spend much time in Anacapri itself, so the town is rather quiet, except for the area around Piazza dela Vittoria during the busiest hours of the day.
But there is so much more to see and do in Anacapri and staying here gives you a nice opportunity to explore this area deeper. Indeed, this is a more authentic side of Capri island that most tourists never see.
Good to know: Anacapri town center is rather small, but the hotels here are also scattered around, with several properties located 2-3 km from the town center. So also here, it’s very important to pay attention to the exact location of your hotel so that you know what to expect.
Staying close to the town center is more convenient because you have easier access to buses/taxis. But some places that are located further away might offer a shuttle to town, so it’s not an issue either. And if you stay here, be sure to take the Phoenician Steps (Scala Fenicia) down to Marina Grande at least once during your vacation – it’s a fun experience.
READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Anacapri
Anacapri Hotels
While there are many privately-rented accommodations in Anacapri, the choice of hotels is rather limited. Still, you will find several really nice options for all budgets. Also, often, you get more value for your money staying in Anacapri compared to Capri.
Here are some of the best-rated Anacapri hotels:
€€€€€ Jumeirah Capri Palace (this is one of the nicest luxury hotels in Capri – perfect for a honeymoon).
€€€ Da Gelsomina (one of our personal favorites – for its location close to an amazing Migliara viewpoint, a pool with a view, and the very best restaurant on the island-you should come here for lunch or dinner even if you are not staying at the hotel).
€€+ Hotel San Michele (great value).
€€ Hotel Il Girasole (excellent value, but there is often a 3-night minimum stay requirement).
Where to stay in Capri – FAQ
There are three main areas to stay in Capri: Marina Grande, Capri town, and Anacapri. For a short visit and convenient access to the harbor, stay in Marina Grande, for a more authentic feel and a better value – stay in Anacapri. But if you are looking for an ultimate Capri experience and want to be in the center of it all, stay in Capri town center. No matter where you stay, be sure your accommodation has sea views!
While both are located high on the hill and offer amazing views, staying in Capri vs Anacapri is a very different experience. Capri is a lively and very busy mondaine town where you will find luxury fashion boutiques, some of the most expensive properties and hotels on the island, and also nightlife and big crowds. Whereas Anacapri is a rather simple quiet place with a more authentic local atmosphere. One is not better than the other – it’s really about what kind of a stay you are looking for.
While there are some really nice luxury hotels in both towns, in general, Capri is much more expensive than Anacapri. This counts for everything – lodging, restaurants, but also shopping. No matter what kind of accommodation you choose, you’ll likely get better value for your money in Anacapri than in Capri.
While you can take Phoenician Steps from Capri’s Marina Grande to Anacapri, you cannot really walk from Capri town to Anacapri. The main road connecting these two towns is narrow and the traffic is very busy – you would risk your life walking here. Not even to mention that it’s a serious uphill climb since Anacapri is located much higher. It’s best to take a bus between the two towns – it takes just about 10 minutes and costs 2 euros. Taxis are also available.
So, this is our guide to the best areas to stay in Capri. I hope that it gives you a better idea of what to expect and helps you plan a more memorable stay.
Have a great time in Capri!
TIP: If you are visiting the beautiful Campania region in Italy beyond Capri, be sure to check our other guides to the area as well:
- Naples and surroundings:
- Amalfi Coast:
- All the best places:
- For many more destinations, please see our Italy travel guide.
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