Islands in the Sun: Capri

My visit to the Isle of Capri was just a day trip, but it absolutely deserves a mention in this series — it’s beautiful, romantic, and utterly charming. There’s an unmistakable air of glamour and poetry here, with Capri featuring in countless love songs, paintings, and literary works.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Capri became a fashionable retreat for European artists, writers, and a haven for bohemian and LGBTQ+ communities. The island offered a level of privacy and tolerance that was rare at the time. Writers like Norman Douglas (author of South Wind) and Jacques d’Adelswärd-Fersen made their homes here, helping to shape Capri’s reputation as a progressive and artistic refuge.

One quirky piece of fashion history also ties into the island: In the early 1950s, actress Grace Kelly (later Princess Grace of Monaco) was photographed on Capri wearing stylishly short trousers. The look became iconic and the “Capri pants” trend was born. These cropped trousers were first designed by Sonja de Lennart, a German fashion designer, and they quickly became a global fashion staple.

Getting There: From Sorrento to Capri

My husband, Rob, and I were actually staying in Sorrento, a charming clifftop town overlooking the Bay of Naples, on Italy’s southwest coast. We’d chosen it as our base for exploring the stunning Amalfi Coast and the legendary ruins of Pompeii — the Roman city buried under volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79.

After a few days of intense sightseeing, we decided to take a break and hopped on a 20-minute hydrofoil ride from Sorrento to Capri. It was late April, and the weather was glorious — warm enough for sunbathing and swimming, but still comfortable for walking and exploring.

Exploring the Town of Capri

When you arrive by boat, you land at Marina Grande, Capri’s bustling port. From there, visitors take the funicular railway — a steep cable-pulled tram — up to Capri town, perched high on the cliffs.

At the top, we stepped into a postcard-perfect scene: chic boutiques, elegant cafés, and narrow cobbled streets lined with cascading bougainvillea. Designer stores like Versace, Valentino, and Chanel added a touch of luxe window-shopping to our visit, though we quickly opted for something more refreshing — gelato from a gelateria.

Now, I’m not usually one for just any ice cream, but real Italian gelato is another thing entirely — rich, creamy, and made fresh, with flavours like pistachio, hazelnut, and lemon so intense they practically sing.

The View That Stops Time

We wandered uphill through winding alleys until we found a quiet bench overlooking the sea. The views were jaw-dropping — the sparkling blue water of the bay stretched endlessly below, and the cliffs were carpeted in bright spring flowers.

There, ice cream in hand, we soaked it all in — the kind of scene that once inspired American artist John Singer Sargent, and many other painters who came to Capri in search of Mediterranean light and colour.

What Capri Offers (and What It Doesn’t)

Capri isn’t really the place for lounging on beaches — in fact, its beaches are small, rocky, and not easily accessible. But it more than makes up for it with its dramatic landscapes, gourmet dining, and that feeling that you’ve stepped into a world of timeless glamour.

It’s also a celebrity magnet. Famous residents and visitors have included Mariah Carey, Sophia Loren, and George Clooney. Capri is known for discreet luxury, and you might spot someone famous indulging in a bit of designer shopping in Via Camerelle or dining at a cliffside restaurant.

Capri may only be a short ferry ride from the mainland, but it feels like a different world — part Mediterranean village, part movie set, part dream. It’s a place for slow wandering, people-watching, and indulging in la dolce vita — the sweet life

Kym Frederick