Walking on Capri for the leisure and serious walker

Marina Grande - Capri Town

Capri Town is the main town on Capri where most day visitors end up and is situated 150m above the arrival point of all the ferries on Capri at Marina Grande.

There is a funicular railway that connects the two and certainly going up this for most leisure visitors is the transport of choice. But the queues for the railway can be lengthy and the walking option for the fit going up only takes 20 minutes, though it's a relentless climb.

On the way down, walking is recommended - if you have spent all your time in Capri Town sampling the boutiques and sophistication there, the walk will give you a pleasant taster of the "real Capri".

Marina Grande to Capri Town directions

Find the entrance to the funicular railway on the quayside and with your backs to the sea, turn left following the quayside for about another 100m to a small square.

Turn right here up a road for just 50m or so before taking a left turn along Via Truglio. It's now a relentless paved climb up a walkway to Capri Town where you come out in the centre of town by the funicular railway.

Capri Town to Marina Grande directions

This is simplicity itself, just find the steps leading down around the funicular station building and just keep descending until you spill out on the quayside at Marina Grande.

This is the classic mid or late afternoon walk after you have sampled the delights of Capri Town and would like to stretch your legs and sample what Capri has to offer outside the town.

It's very worthwhile and well within the capabilities of most and is along paved paths.

You'll wind your way through narrow alleys/lanes to escape Capri Town, gain glimpses into expensive villas before arriving at Arco Naturale, a natural cliff arch. It's under an hour there and back and there are refreshment opportunities along the way.

You can extend the walk by taking the coastal path alternative (signposted) back to Capri Town which is slightly more challenging, but again easy for most. The long stairway descent along the coastal path precludes pushchairs.

Both options are very popular and you will be joining a steady stream of people doing the same walk as you.

Capri Town to Arco Naturale directions

From the funicular station at Capri Town, with your back to the views out to sea and Marina Grande below go around the tower in front of you into a small square.

On the far left side of the square you will see a small arch offering an exit from the square and onto a narrow lane/pathway called Via Longano. After 100m bend right into Via Sopramonte which you follow for about 400m to a crossroads of paths.

Go straight ahead here and just keep going until you arrive at the Arco Naturale (there are occasional signs from the crossroads onwards).

Arco Naturale to Capri Town directions

If you want to take the coastal path route back to Capri (allow 75min) you will notice steep steps going down to your right just before you arrive at Arco Naturale. This is the start of the coastal path, the route is obvious.

The initial descent is steep and lengthy but on well constructed concrete steps. After the descent the path rollercoasts with no steep ascents or descents along the cliff side until you reach Capri Town.