With the new year, we are starting a new series that introduces excellent photo spots in different locations around Italy for those of you who are all about getting that perfect shot to commemorate your vacation. If you have found a vacation rental in Campania and are exploring the stunning island of Capri, you will quickly discover that there is no shortage of wonderful spots to get that incredible photograph. However, if you are in search of one especially charming area for great shots, then we might suggest the Punta Carena Lighthouse and the beautiful coastal area that surrounds it.
Located 3km southwest of Anacapri, on the island of Capri on the head of Punta Carena, the Punta Carena Lighthouse (Faro di Punta Carena) is an active lighthouse that has been in use since 1867. It is a rather distinctive entity, composed of a large rectangular two storey building at the base (the lighthouse keeper’s home) and topped by a 28m octagonal tower, all made of dark red brick and trimmed in white plasterwork that forms vertical stripes along the height of the tower. The second brightest lighthouse in Italy after the lighthouse at Genoa, it is one of the oldest amongst such structures in Italy having been begun back in 1862. It is also one of the oldest lighthouses to remain consistently in use in the country. With a range of about 25 nautical miles, or 46km, and a rotating view that emits white light flashes every 3 seconds, it is an impressive sight to behold while in action.
However, despite how impressive it is, we suggest getting to it for your visit before the sun sets and the lighthouse gets to work. Around golden hour or sunset, you will find the whole area, and this particular view, at its loveliest. Just head out the road from the Caprile quarter of Anacapri and take in the views over the dramatically rocky coastline, the little coves and inlets, the pine grove that lines the bay, the rich Mediterranean flora, the crashing waves, and the imposing Torre della Guardia, an historic old guard tower. In addition to the astounding beauty of it all, you was also find that you are removed from the large tourist crowds and busloads of day-trippers that can be found throughout most of the rest of the island, allowing you to breathe, relax, and savour it all.
While the “beach” below the lighthouse is more of a rocky bay, its scenic nature, with the rugged cliffs and lighthouse perched atop it all, make it a firm favourite among locals. In fact, if you ask a Capri resident what their favourite beach is on the island, the will like say, “Il Faro” (the lighthouse) and you will often spot people sunning themselves on the rocks or leaping off them into the spectacular crystalline waters below. So, you could definitely also do like the locals and make a day of your visit to the spot to enjoy the beach as well before the atmospheric approach of dusk that sees local fishermen begin to set out from all around for night fishing and, in summer, live music begin to stream out of the two beach cafés.
Punta Carena is accessible from Anacapri by bus (the Faro-Anacapri route from Piazza della Pace will take you right by the lighthouse), by foot (it’s about an hour’s walk along that stunning coastline), or by boat via boat tours that pass around the lighthouse. Whether you are going for a whole day or just to catch the sunset, you will find lots of excellent places in the area to get that perfect shot – with or without the actual lighthouse! For those who have found a vacation rental in Campania and who are exploring this lovely island in Italy, take note.
However, despite how impressive it is, we suggest getting to it for your visit before the sun sets and the lighthouse gets to work. Around golden hour or sunset, you will find the whole area, and this particular view, at its loveliest. Just head out the road from the Caprile quarter of Anacapri and take in the views over the dramatically rocky coastline, the little coves and inlets, the pine grove that lines the bay, the rich Mediterranean flora, the crashing waves, and the imposing Torre della Guardia, an historic old guard tower. In addition to the astounding beauty of it all, you was also find that you are removed from the large tourist crowds and busloads of day-trippers that can be found throughout most of the rest of the island, allowing you to breathe, relax, and savour it all.
While the “beach” below the lighthouse is more of a rocky bay, its scenic nature, with the rugged cliffs and lighthouse perched atop it all, make it a firm favourite among locals. In fact, if you ask a Capri resident what their favourite beach is on the island, the will like say, “Il Faro” (the lighthouse) and you will often spot people sunning themselves on the rocks or leaping off them into the spectacular crystalline waters below. So, you could definitely also do like the locals and make a day of your visit to the spot to enjoy the beach as well before the atmospheric approach of dusk that sees local fishermen begin to set out from all around for night fishing and, in summer, live music begin to stream out of the two beach cafés.
Punta Carena is accessible from Anacapri by bus (the Faro-Anacapri route from Piazza della Pace will take you right by the lighthouse), by foot (it’s about an hour’s walk along that stunning coastline), or by boat via boat tours that pass around the lighthouse. Whether you are going for a whole day or just to catch the sunset, you will find lots of excellent places in the area to get that perfect shot – with or without the actual lighthouse! For those who have found a vacation rental in Campania and who are exploring this lovely island in Italy, take note.
