Capri is one of those famously gorgeous places that people are just dying to see with their own eyes. If you have found a vacation rental in Capri and are busy exploring the island, once you have walked around a bit, you may want to see it all from above as well, to take in a sweeping view over everything at once. In this case, you’ll need to head to Monte Solaro, the highest and most panoramic point on the island, which offers views over the whole of the Gulf of Naples, glimpses over the Gulf of Salerno on clear days, and also takes in many of Capri’s famous landmarks at the same time.
There are two different options to surmount Monte Solaro, depending on your inclination, energy, preferences, fears, and the day in question: you can hike to the top or you can take the famous Anacapri Chairlift.
At 589 meters above sea level and at the top of a steep trail, the hike up to the pinnacle of Monte Solaro isn’t the most difficult in the world by any sort of stretch of the imagination. It is a well-marked trail that rewards viewers with lovely views the whole way up and can be completed in around an hour. Beginning at Piazza della Pace in Anacapri, behind the cemetery, it is a straightforward climb up that anyone who is relatively fit should be able to complete without much difficulty.
There are two different options to surmount Monte Solaro, depending on your inclination, energy, preferences, fears, and the day in question: you can hike to the top or you can take the famous Anacapri Chairlift.
At 589 meters above sea level and at the top of a steep trail, the hike up to the pinnacle of Monte Solaro isn’t the most difficult in the world by any sort of stretch of the imagination. It is a well-marked trail that rewards viewers with lovely views the whole way up and can be completed in around an hour. Beginning at Piazza della Pace in Anacapri, behind the cemetery, it is a straightforward climb up that anyone who is relatively fit should be able to complete without much difficulty.
However, for those who are less fit or less interested in sweating or for those spending time in the area during the hotter months, you might not be interested in taking on the endeavour of the hike. If so, the chairlift is a great option but do keep in mind that it is not recommended for children and that some find it a bit of a scary experience. It isn’t actually all that high off the ground at all, however, and those not afraid of such things are likely to find it all rather thrilling! Built by the engineer Uliscia in 1952, it was overhauled in 1998 and reopened in 1999 and is managed and maintained by Sacmif Engineering. It has attracted many famous figures over the years and counts Hollywood legend and actress Rita Hayworth among those who have taken the trip up on a chairlift in the past. Departing from Piazza Vittoria, the chairlift reaches the summit in just 12 minutes and allows you to enjoy the views at your leisure the whole way up! There are 156 seats available and doing the rounds of the route at any one time and the trip costs 9 euro one way or 12 euro both ways.
Once you get to the top, it is not only the views that you can enjoy, there is a café on top called the La Canzone del Cielo cafè where you can perch with a drink in their rocking chairs while you take your pictures and relax or you can head further on to the Cetrella Hermitage. It’s on your way back down the mountain anyway so if you’re willing to go on foot and you have some time to spare, we recommend it. Follow the arrow that points to the Cetrella Valley and pass the lush vegetation, pine and oak trees, and orchids to the Church of Santa Maria di Cetrella. Dating back to the 16th century, it was a site of devotion of local sailors and coral divers in the past and is a little gem set in the most beautiful of places. Once you’re done, head back to the trail and take the historic mule track downhill for about 20 minutes, which will bring you back to Viale San Michele in the centre of town.
Now that you’ve seen it from above, be sure to explore all that Capri has to offer visitors to this beautiful island in Italy.
Once you get to the top, it is not only the views that you can enjoy, there is a café on top called the La Canzone del Cielo cafè where you can perch with a drink in their rocking chairs while you take your pictures and relax or you can head further on to the Cetrella Hermitage. It’s on your way back down the mountain anyway so if you’re willing to go on foot and you have some time to spare, we recommend it. Follow the arrow that points to the Cetrella Valley and pass the lush vegetation, pine and oak trees, and orchids to the Church of Santa Maria di Cetrella. Dating back to the 16th century, it was a site of devotion of local sailors and coral divers in the past and is a little gem set in the most beautiful of places. Once you’re done, head back to the trail and take the historic mule track downhill for about 20 minutes, which will bring you back to Viale San Michele in the centre of town.
Now that you’ve seen it from above, be sure to explore all that Capri has to offer visitors to this beautiful island in Italy.