Italy Review
  • Home
    • Contact
    • Ischia Review
    • Sorrento Review
  • Things to see in Italy
    • Cities of Italy >
      • Major Cities of Italy >
        • Rome >
          • Things to see in Rome
        • Venice >
          • Things to see in Venice
        • Florence >
          • Things to see in Florence
        • Milan >
          • Things to see in Milan
        • Naples >
          • Things to see in Naples
        • Turin >
          • Things to see in Turin
        • Verona >
          • Things to see in Verona
        • Genoa
        • Bologna
        • Palermo
      • Beautiful Italian Cities >
        • Pisa >
          • Things to see in Pisa
        • Siena
        • Ravenna
        • Lecce
        • Mantova
        • Syracuse
        • Perugia
        • Pavia
        • Lucca
    • Towns and Villages of Italy >
      • Seaside Towns of Italy >
        • Sestri Levante
        • Vieste
        • Positano
        • Tropea
        • Sorrento
        • Cefalu
        • Amalfi
        • Polignano a Mare
      • Lakeside Towns of Italy >
        • Varenna
        • Orta San Giulio
        • Bellagio
        • Sirmione
        • Molveno
        • Trevignano Romano
        • Desenzano del Garda
      • Scenic Towns of Italy >
        • Alberobello
        • Bassano del Grappa
        • Sarzana
        • Susa
        • Brisighella
        • Grottammare
      • Hilltop Villages of Italy >
        • Castelluccio
        • Civita di Bagnoregio
        • Roccascalegna
        • Apricale
        • Muro Lucano
      • Historic Towns of Italy >
        • Matera
        • Albenga
        • Chioggia
        • Assisi
      • Hill Towns of Italy >
        • San Gimignano
        • Taormina
        • Ravello
      • Picturesque Villages of Italy >
        • Finalborgo
        • Rasiglia
      • Mountain Towns of Italy >
        • Bressanone
      • Vineyard Towns of Italy >
        • Barolo
      • Fishing Villages of Italy
      • Mural Towns of Italy
      • Spa Towns of Italy
      • Ghost Towns of Italy
      • I Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia
      • Orange Flag Towns of Italy
    • Italian Islands >
      • Phlegraean Islands >
        • Ischia
        • Procida
        • Nisida
        • Vivara
      • Capri
      • Tuscan Archipelago >
        • Elba >
          • Things to see in Elba >
            • Must See Elba
            • Best Beaches of Elba
          • Elba Travel >
            • How to get to Elba
            • Elba Ferry Tickets and Timetables
            • Buses in Elba
        • Giglio
        • Pianosa
        • Capraia (Tuscany)
        • Giannutri
      • Sicilian Islands >
        • Aeolian Islands >
          • Lipari
          • Salina
          • Panarea
          • Vulcano
          • Stromboli
          • Filicudi
          • Alicudi
        • Aegadian Islands >
          • Favignana
          • Levanzo
          • Marettimo
        • Pelagie Islands >
          • Lampedusa
          • Linosa
          • Lampione
        • Pantelleria
        • Ustica
      • Sardinian Islands >
        • La Maddalena Archipelago >
          • La Maddalena Island
          • Caprera
          • Spargi
          • Santa Maria
          • Santo Stefano (Maddalena)
          • Razzoli
          • Budelli
        • Sant'Antioco
        • Asinara
        • Tavolara
        • San Pietro Island
      • Pontine Islands >
        • Ponza >
          • Things to see in Ponza >
            • Beaches of Ponza
            • Ponza Port
            • Landmarks of Ponza
            • Ponza Travel >
              • How to get to Ponza
              • Ponza Ferry Tickets and Timetables
              • Buses in Ponza
        • Ventotene
        • Palmarola
        • Santo Stefano (Pontine)
        • Zannone
        • Gavi Island
      • Tremiti Islands >
        • San Domino
        • San Nicola
        • Cretaccio
        • Tremiti Islands Ferry Timetables
      • Venetian Lagoon Islands >
        • Pellestrina
      • Borromean Islands
      • Lake Trasimeno Islands
      • Isola San Giulio
      • Monte Isola
      • Palmaria
    • Lakes of Italy >
      • Lake Garda
      • Lake Como
      • Lake Maggiore
      • Lake Trasimeno
      • Lake Bracciano
      • Lake Orta
      • Lake Tenno
    • Landmarks of Italy >
      • Man-Made Landmarks of Italy >
        • Castles of Italy
        • Squares of Italy
        • Roman Monuments in Italy
        • Towers of Italy
        • Bridges of Italy
        • Modern Landmarks of Italy
        • Monuments of Magna Graecia
      • Natural Landmarks of Italy >
        • Rivers of Italy >
          • River Po
          • River Adige
          • River Tiber
        • Mountains of Italy
        • Mountain Ranges of Italy >
          • The Italian Alps
          • The Apennines
          • The Dolomites
    • Religious Buildings of Italy >
      • Cathedrals of Italy
      • Basilicas of Italy
      • Abbeys & Monasteries of Italy
      • Baptisteries of Italy
      • Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy
      • Religious Sanctuaries of Italy
      • Chapels of Italy
    • Cultural Institutions of Italy >
      • Archaeological Sites of Italy
      • Gardens of Italy
      • Museums of Italy
      • Palaces of Italy
      • Art Galleries of Italy
      • Theatres of Italy
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy
    • Italian Beaches >
      • Best Beaches in Italy
      • Beach Resorts of Italy
    • Parks of Italy >
      • National Parks of Italy
      • Nature Reserves of Italy
      • Regional Parks of Italy
      • Italian City Parks
    • Ski Resorts of Italy
    • Italian Coastal Areas
    • Mountain and Valley Regions of Italy
    • Wine Regions of Italy
  • Travel
    • Airports of Italy
    • Italian Ferry Ports
  • Italy Hotels
  • Italy Review Blog
  • Italy
    • Regions of Italy >
      • Northern Italy >
        • Lombardy >
          • Things to see in Lombardy
        • Emilia Romagna >
          • Things to see in Emilia Romagna
        • Piedmont >
          • Things to see in Piedmont
        • Veneto >
          • Things to see in Veneto
        • Liguria >
          • Things to see in Liguria
        • Friuli Venezia Giulia >
          • Things to see in Friuli Venezia Giulia
        • Trentino Alto Adige South Tyrol >
          • Things to see in Trentino Alto Adige South Tyrol
        • Valle d'Aosta >
          • Things to see in Valle d'Aosta
      • Central Italy >
        • Tuscany >
          • Things to see in Tuscany
        • Lazio >
          • Things to see in Lazio
        • Marche >
          • Things to see in Marche
        • Abruzzo >
          • Things to see in Abruzzo
        • Umbria >
          • Things to see in Umbria
        • Molise >
          • Things to see in Molise
      • Southern Italy >
        • Puglia >
          • Things to see in Puglia
        • Campania >
          • Things to see in Campania
        • Calabria >
          • Things to see in Calabria
        • Basilicata >
          • Things to see in Basilicata
      • Island Regions >
        • Sicily >
          • Things to see in Sicily
        • Sardinia >
          • Things to see in Sardinia
    • Provinces of Italy

Capraia (Tuscany)

Capraia  (Tuscany)​


​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. 
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. 

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
Arrival port: ​​​​​Capraia

Journey time from mainland: 2 hrs 45 minutes

Distance from nearest mainland port: ​​​​​70 km
Arrive by: Ferry

Arrive from: Livorno

Best airport: ​​​​Pisa Airport (95 km)




Picture
Picture

​All photos and images on the site that are marked with the © copyright symbol or with the Italy Review series logos are the property of Italy Review and must not be used elsewhere without prior permission. All written content on the website is also the property of Italy Review and its use is strictly limited to this website alone. 
  • Home
    • Contact
    • Ischia Review
    • Sorrento Review
  • Things to see in Italy
    • Cities of Italy >
      • Major Cities of Italy >
        • Rome >
          • Things to see in Rome
        • Venice >
          • Things to see in Venice
        • Florence >
          • Things to see in Florence
        • Milan >
          • Things to see in Milan
        • Naples >
          • Things to see in Naples
        • Turin >
          • Things to see in Turin
        • Verona >
          • Things to see in Verona
        • Genoa
        • Bologna
        • Palermo
      • Beautiful Italian Cities >
        • Pisa >
          • Things to see in Pisa
        • Siena
        • Ravenna
        • Lecce
        • Mantova
        • Syracuse
        • Perugia
        • Pavia
        • Lucca
    • Towns and Villages of Italy >
      • Seaside Towns of Italy >
        • Sestri Levante
        • Vieste
        • Positano
        • Tropea
        • Sorrento
        • Cefalu
        • Amalfi
        • Polignano a Mare
      • Lakeside Towns of Italy >
        • Varenna
        • Orta San Giulio
        • Bellagio
        • Sirmione
        • Molveno
        • Trevignano Romano
        • Desenzano del Garda
      • Scenic Towns of Italy >
        • Alberobello
        • Bassano del Grappa
        • Sarzana
        • Susa
        • Brisighella
        • Grottammare
      • Hilltop Villages of Italy >
        • Castelluccio
        • Civita di Bagnoregio
        • Roccascalegna
        • Apricale
        • Muro Lucano
      • Historic Towns of Italy >
        • Matera
        • Albenga
        • Chioggia
        • Assisi
      • Hill Towns of Italy >
        • San Gimignano
        • Taormina
        • Ravello
      • Picturesque Villages of Italy >
        • Finalborgo
        • Rasiglia
      • Mountain Towns of Italy >
        • Bressanone
      • Vineyard Towns of Italy >
        • Barolo
      • Fishing Villages of Italy
      • Mural Towns of Italy
      • Spa Towns of Italy
      • Ghost Towns of Italy
      • I Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia
      • Orange Flag Towns of Italy
    • Italian Islands >
      • Phlegraean Islands >
        • Ischia
        • Procida
        • Nisida
        • Vivara
      • Capri
      • Tuscan Archipelago >
        • Elba >
          • Things to see in Elba >
            • Must See Elba
            • Best Beaches of Elba
          • Elba Travel >
            • How to get to Elba
            • Elba Ferry Tickets and Timetables
            • Buses in Elba
        • Giglio
        • Pianosa
        • Capraia (Tuscany)
        • Giannutri
      • Sicilian Islands >
        • Aeolian Islands >
          • Lipari
          • Salina
          • Panarea
          • Vulcano
          • Stromboli
          • Filicudi
          • Alicudi
        • Aegadian Islands >
          • Favignana
          • Levanzo
          • Marettimo
        • Pelagie Islands >
          • Lampedusa
          • Linosa
          • Lampione
        • Pantelleria
        • Ustica
      • Sardinian Islands >
        • La Maddalena Archipelago >
          • La Maddalena Island
          • Caprera
          • Spargi
          • Santa Maria
          • Santo Stefano (Maddalena)
          • Razzoli
          • Budelli
        • Sant'Antioco
        • Asinara
        • Tavolara
        • San Pietro Island
      • Pontine Islands >
        • Ponza >
          • Things to see in Ponza >
            • Beaches of Ponza
            • Ponza Port
            • Landmarks of Ponza
            • Ponza Travel >
              • How to get to Ponza
              • Ponza Ferry Tickets and Timetables
              • Buses in Ponza
        • Ventotene
        • Palmarola
        • Santo Stefano (Pontine)
        • Zannone
        • Gavi Island
      • Tremiti Islands >
        • San Domino
        • San Nicola
        • Cretaccio
        • Tremiti Islands Ferry Timetables
      • Venetian Lagoon Islands >
        • Pellestrina
      • Borromean Islands
      • Lake Trasimeno Islands
      • Isola San Giulio
      • Monte Isola
      • Palmaria
    • Lakes of Italy >
      • Lake Garda
      • Lake Como
      • Lake Maggiore
      • Lake Trasimeno
      • Lake Bracciano
      • Lake Orta
      • Lake Tenno
    • Landmarks of Italy >
      • Man-Made Landmarks of Italy >
        • Castles of Italy
        • Squares of Italy
        • Roman Monuments in Italy
        • Towers of Italy
        • Bridges of Italy
        • Modern Landmarks of Italy
        • Monuments of Magna Graecia
      • Natural Landmarks of Italy >
        • Rivers of Italy >
          • River Po
          • River Adige
          • River Tiber
        • Mountains of Italy
        • Mountain Ranges of Italy >
          • The Italian Alps
          • The Apennines
          • The Dolomites
    • Religious Buildings of Italy >
      • Cathedrals of Italy
      • Basilicas of Italy
      • Abbeys & Monasteries of Italy
      • Baptisteries of Italy
      • Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy
      • Religious Sanctuaries of Italy
      • Chapels of Italy
    • Cultural Institutions of Italy >
      • Archaeological Sites of Italy
      • Gardens of Italy
      • Museums of Italy
      • Palaces of Italy
      • Art Galleries of Italy
      • Theatres of Italy
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy
    • Italian Beaches >
      • Best Beaches in Italy
      • Beach Resorts of Italy
    • Parks of Italy >
      • National Parks of Italy
      • Nature Reserves of Italy
      • Regional Parks of Italy
      • Italian City Parks
    • Ski Resorts of Italy
    • Italian Coastal Areas
    • Mountain and Valley Regions of Italy
    • Wine Regions of Italy
  • Travel
    • Airports of Italy
    • Italian Ferry Ports
  • Italy Hotels
  • Italy Review Blog
  • Italy
    • Regions of Italy >
      • Northern Italy >
        • Lombardy >
          • Things to see in Lombardy
        • Emilia Romagna >
          • Things to see in Emilia Romagna
        • Piedmont >
          • Things to see in Piedmont
        • Veneto >
          • Things to see in Veneto
        • Liguria >
          • Things to see in Liguria
        • Friuli Venezia Giulia >
          • Things to see in Friuli Venezia Giulia
        • Trentino Alto Adige South Tyrol >
          • Things to see in Trentino Alto Adige South Tyrol
        • Valle d'Aosta >
          • Things to see in Valle d'Aosta
      • Central Italy >
        • Tuscany >
          • Things to see in Tuscany
        • Lazio >
          • Things to see in Lazio
        • Marche >
          • Things to see in Marche
        • Abruzzo >
          • Things to see in Abruzzo
        • Umbria >
          • Things to see in Umbria
        • Molise >
          • Things to see in Molise
      • Southern Italy >
        • Puglia >
          • Things to see in Puglia
        • Campania >
          • Things to see in Campania
        • Calabria >
          • Things to see in Calabria
        • Basilicata >
          • Things to see in Basilicata
      • Island Regions >
        • Sicily >
          • Things to see in Sicily
        • Sardinia >
          • Things to see in Sardinia
    • Provinces of Italy