Few places reward slow exploration quite like Capri. The island may be small, but its dramatic coastline, historic pathways, and cliff-side viewpoints reveal themselves best on foot. Walking here means tracing ancient routes between villages, discovering hidden coves beneath rugged cliffs, and pausing often to take in views across the Gulf of Naples.

For centuries Capri has attracted emperors, writers, and artists in search of inspiration. Roman ruler Augustus built one of his imperial villas here more than 2,000 years ago, and the island later became the retreat of intellectuals, politicians, and travellers drawn to its natural beauty. Today, its network of trails offers one of the most rewarding ways to experience the landscape.

With Jumeirah Capri Palace in Anacapri as a base, several of the island’s most scenic walks lie within easy reach. 

The Via dei Fortini: Capri’s Most Dramatic Coastal Walk 

One of Capri’s most spectacular routes is the Via dei Fortini - the Path of the Little Forts - which stretches roughly six kilometers along the island’s western coastline.

The trail runs between Punta Carena lighthouse in the south and the Blue Grotto in the north, passing a series of historic watchtowers and fortifications. Many of these were built to defend Anacapri from Saracen raids and were later occupied by British and French forces in the early 19th century.

The walk takes around three hours and offers constantly changing views of Capri’s rugged shoreline. Along the way, small coves and rocky inlets provide opportunities for a refreshing swim, while the Mediterranean stretches out in shifting shades of turquoise and deep blue.

At the northern end of the path lies the famous Blue Grotto, where sunlight filtering through an underwater cavity illuminates the cave in an almost electric shade of blue. Many walkers finish the route with a short boat trip inside the grotto before returning to Anacapri.

Climbing the Historic Phoenician Steps

Few routes capture Capri’s history quite like La Scala Fenicia, or the Phoenician Steps.

Before a road connected Capri and Anacapri in the late 19th century, these 921 stone steps carved directly into the cliff face were the island’s main link between Marina Grande and the hilltop village of Anacapri.

Local women once climbed the staircase daily to collect fresh water from the Truglio spring, balancing heavy vessels on their heads as they made the journey between the port and the village.

Today the climb is far less arduous, but it remains one of the most atmospheric walks on the island. As the steps wind up the cliffside, the views gradually widen to reveal the harbour below and the open sea beyond.

Monte Solaro: Capri’s Highest Viewpoint

For the island’s most expansive panorama, the path continues upwards to Monte Solaro, Capri’s highest point at 589 meters.

Hikers can follow a trail from Anacapri’s Piazza Vittoria, which takes around an hour to reach the summit. Alternatively, a chairlift offers a slower ascent, gliding above vineyards, woodland and whitewashed houses as it climbs toward the peak.

At the top, the reward is a sweeping 360-degree view of Capri, the Faraglioni rock formations, and the distant Sorrento Peninsula. On clear days, the Mediterranean seems to merge seamlessly with the sky.

Walking the Pizzolungo Path

On the eastern side of the island, the Pizzolungo Path offers another memorable route, tracing the cliffs between Capri town and the natural rock arch known as Arco Naturale.

The trail winds through Mediterranean scrub and pine trees before opening onto one of the island’s most iconic views: the Faraglioni, three towering limestone stacks rising from the sea. The route continues past dramatic cliffs and secluded viewpoints overlooking Punta Masullo, making it one of the island’s most scenic coastal walks.

Exploring Anacapri

Not every walk on Capri requires hiking boots. The village of Anacapri, where Jumeirah Capri Palace is located, is ideal for slower exploration.

Quiet lanes lined with bougainvillea lead to hidden courtyards, artisan workshops, and small piazzas. A short stroll from the center brings visitors to Villa San Michele, the former home of Swedish physician and writer Axel Munthe. Today the villa is a museum, but it is the terraced gardens - overlooking the Gulf of Naples - that remain its greatest attraction.

Rest and Recovery

After a day exploring Capri’s trails, returning to the hotel provides a welcome contrast.

At Capri Medical Spa, treatments are designed to restore tired muscles and promote circulation after long walks. The spa’s signature Leg School® therapy, developed by the late medical director Professor Francesco Canonaco, combines clay mud and cooling bandages to improve circulation and reduce fatigue.

Exploring the island on foot allows travellers to experience these moments fully, discovering not only its famous landmarks, but also the landscapes, stories, and views that have drawn visitors here for centuries. To walk Capri is to understand it. And with Jumeirah Capri Palace in Anacapri as a base, the island’s most memorable paths and viewpoints are never far away. 

Plan your escape to Capri, where a island retreat awaits at Jumeirah Capri Palace, and discover its landscapes one step at a time.