Capraia (Tuscany)
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Capraia is the northernmost island of the Tuscan Archipelago and shares a common thread with each of the others - dazzling beauty.
It's got a little bit of everything an Italian island should have: bright blue, crystal clear water, a port with multi-coloured houses, a little hill town with a charming main piazza and some great places to swim. Accommodation is surprisingly scarce on Capraia and the best of it gets booked up well in advance but you can see why. |
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I visited the island in August, a time where every millimetre of beach in the country is staked with a parasol but Capraia was markedly different. Some of this can be attributed to the fact that getting there takes longer than it does to other Italian islands, a 2 hour 45 minute ferry journey from the port of Livorno but the island definitely warrants the wait.
The Toremar ferry arrives at the little port where you'll find various shops, bars and restaurants as well as agencies offering excursions and boat rentals. I took the bus straight up to the main town to start my own independent tour of the island and it was a great place to start. You arrive at a typical piazza where all the locals seem to (and probably do) know each other which, considering the population numbers around 400 isn't particularly surprising. But that familiarity amongst the people sets the tone for the general warmth you feel as you wander through the narrow streets of brightly-coloured buildings draped in gorgeous bougainvillea, acknowledging the islanders' friendly nods as you pass them.
At the top of the town you get some wonderful views down to the port and can start to get a general feel for the island's size. Most people that visit Capraia tend to stick to the port, the town and the beaches which tend to be pebbled but with gleaming, bright, clear water, there is though a fair bit more to explore beyond that with a variety of walking trails that will appeal to hikers of all abilities.
Given the almost 6 hour round-trip from Livorno it's best to stay at least one night on the island in order to explore it properly and I'm recommending the La Vela Dimora d'Epoca for that.
The Toremar ferry arrives at the little port where you'll find various shops, bars and restaurants as well as agencies offering excursions and boat rentals. I took the bus straight up to the main town to start my own independent tour of the island and it was a great place to start. You arrive at a typical piazza where all the locals seem to (and probably do) know each other which, considering the population numbers around 400 isn't particularly surprising. But that familiarity amongst the people sets the tone for the general warmth you feel as you wander through the narrow streets of brightly-coloured buildings draped in gorgeous bougainvillea, acknowledging the islanders' friendly nods as you pass them.
At the top of the town you get some wonderful views down to the port and can start to get a general feel for the island's size. Most people that visit Capraia tend to stick to the port, the town and the beaches which tend to be pebbled but with gleaming, bright, clear water, there is though a fair bit more to explore beyond that with a variety of walking trails that will appeal to hikers of all abilities.
Given the almost 6 hour round-trip from Livorno it's best to stay at least one night on the island in order to explore it properly and I'm recommending the La Vela Dimora d'Epoca for that.
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Category: Tuscan Archipelago
Region: Tuscany Regional district: Livorno Province Population: 407 Size: 19.3 km² Highlights: Port, swimming, hiking Recommended accommodation: La Vela - Dimora d'Epoca |
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Arrival port: Capraia
Journey time from mainland: 2 hrs 45 minutes Distance from nearest mainland port: 70 km |
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