A guide to explore the most glamorous and authentic side of Capri: from designer retreats to pieds-dans-l’eau tables, here’s how to experience a weekend on the island following your instinct for beauty.

Capri is a land of eternal contrasts. It’s the island where the echoes of Emperor Tiberius amidst the age-old rocks of Villa Jovis meet the breath of Neruda‘s verses and the glamour of yachts plying the cobalt blue Tyrrhenian Sea. It’s the indomitable strength of a rock that knows no bounds, suspended between the myth of the Sirens and the ritual of the aperitivo.

In this guide by Secrets, we explore the most authentic side of the island: from designer retreats to pieds-dans-l’eau tables, here’s how to experience a weekend on Capri following your instinct for beauty.

Arrival: the “convertible” ritual of Marina Grande

It all begins in Marina Grande. As soon as you disembark from the hydrofoils from Naples or Sorrento, you enter a picture-perfect setting. Here, the iconic convertible taxis—true sculptures on pastel-colored wheels—will take you toward the vibrant center along scenic hairpin bends, offering the first glimpses of a breathtaking island.

Where to stay in Capri: hospitality as a form of art

Choosing where to stay in Capri is like stepping into a dream.

• In the heart of the village: for those seeking silence in the center of the island, the Hotel La Minerva is an essential address. Run by the Esposito family for three generations, it is a peaceful refuge where bougainvillea frames terraces that resemble open-air living rooms.
• Design and Glamour: If you dream of the atmosphere of the Grand Tour reinterpreted in a contemporary key, the Capri Tiberio Palace will captivate you with its eclectic style and cinematic views of the narrow streets of Capri.
• The icon overlooking the sea: If you prefer the peace and quiet outside the center, the Hotel Punta Tragara is a legendary destination. Originally designed by Le Corbusier as a private villa that was meant to “emerge from the rock,” it boasts the most magnetic view on the island: looking out from its terraces means finding yourself suspended directly above the Faraglioni, with the roar of the waves crashing against the rock.

Lunch: pieds-dans-l’eau at La Fontelina

You can’t say you’ve experienced Capri without a visit to La Fontelina. Nestled among the cliffs right in front of the Faraglioni, this beach club is the very essence of the Mediterranean. Here, among the iconic blue and white striped umbrellas, lunch with a view is a sensory experience that reconnects you with the world.
Don’t worry about the climb back up. After a day at the beach, La Fontelina offers a shuttle service aboard a traditional wooden gozzo boat that will take you to Marina Piccola (at the Scoglio delle Sirene), from where you can easily take a taxi back to the Piazzetta.

Anacapri: between lemon gardens and panoramic peaks

To discover the more intimate and less touristy side of the island, head up to Anacapri. Here, a must-see is Villa San Michele, the home of Swedish physician Axel Munthe: a magical place where classical archaeology blends with lush nature. A few steps away, after a break at Billy’s Bar, the chairlift to Monte Solaro will take you to the highest point on the island: from here, the view encompasses the entire Gulf of Naples and the Amalfi Coast.

For dinner, we chose an institution: Paolino. You can reach it by taxi or, for the more adventurous, by descending the 921 steps of the historic Phoenician Staircase. At Paolino, dine beneath an endless canopy of fruit-laden lemon trees, an immersive atmosphere that embodies the dream of La Dolce Vita and the most authentic Caprese cuisine.

Gastronomy and Dolce Vita near the Piazzetta

Capri’s town center offers extraordinary culinary contrasts:

• Aurora Restaurant: For a dinner steeped in international glamour, this is a must-see. It’s the oldest restaurant on the island and a hub of celebrities. Their famous “pizza all’acqua,” thin and crispy, is unmissable.
• Concettina ai Tre Santi: Ciro Oliva has brought the authentic soul of Naples’ Rione Sanità directly to the blue waters of Capri, offering a pizza that is a manifesto of research and identity.
• Il Piccolo: Finally, a stop in the legendary Piazzetta is a must. Sitting at the tables at Il Piccolo for an aperitivo or breakfast means having a front-row seat in the world’s most famous dining room.
• And, new for summer 2026, where El Divino once stood, the long-awaited Mhare Capri will open.

The “wild” and secret Capri

To round out the weekend, seek out the most authentic Capri. Head to the Arco Naturale to discover Le Grottelle, a trattoria offering authentic cuisine in a breathtaking location overlooking the sea.

A short distance away, don’t miss Villa Lysis, built in 1904 by Baron Jacques d’Adelswärd-Fersen. This residence, designed by architect and painter Édouard Chimot, is a hymn to aestheticism: among Ionic columns, golden mosaics, and Art Nouveau decorations, the evocative “Opium Room” stands out, a testament to a life devoted to beauty, excess, and art.

And here, amidst the blue sea, the unspoiled nature, and the yachts on the horizon, the soul of Capri reveals itself in all its beauty.