Emperor Tiberius ruled the Roman Empire from Capri for 10 years (27-37 AD). He built 12 villas on an island 6km long. He never went back to Rome. You'll understand why when you see it from the ferry: white limestone cliffs rising vertically from water so blue it looks edited, with the Faraglioni rocks standing like ancient sentinels offshore. But here's the honest part: a coffee in the Piazzetta costs €8-18. A taxi from the port to Anacapri costs €25. A beach lounger at Marina Piccola costs €30. The Blue Grotto boat tour (€18 + €4 rowboat + €1 landing fee) involves waiting 45 minutes in a queue of boats, then 5 minutes inside a cave. The cave IS spectacular — the light turns the water electric blue in a way no photo captures — but the logistics-to-wonder ratio is brutal. Come for one day from Naples or Sorrento. Walk the island. See the views. Get the ferry back. Sleeping on Capri costs €200-500/night for what costs €60 on the mainland.
Plan my Capri trip →Villa Jovis (€6, 45 min walk from town): Tiberius's main villa. Ruins at the highest point of the island. The view from the Salto di Tiberio (the cliff where he allegedly threw people he disliked) encompasses the entire Bay of Naples, Vesuvius, and the Amalfi Coast. Almost nobody makes this walk. That's the recommendation.
Anacapri chairlift to Monte Solaro (€11 return, 12 min): the island's summit at 589m. 360° panorama. On clear days: Ischia, Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and the Pontine Islands. Bring wine.
Natural Arch + Faraglioni viewpoint (free, 30 min walk from Piazzetta): the view that every postcard uses. Do this instead of the Piazzetta coffee.