The first thing you notice when you set foot on land at Capri’s main port of Marina Grande are the throngs of tourists. Those in the know escape the chaos by setting off on a private or group boat tour to take in highlights such as the towering Faraglioni sea stacks and picturesque grottoes far from the crowds. Choose from among a wide range of boat-tour options, from jaunts that skirt the entire coastline in just a few hours to full-day itineraries that include stops to visit the Blue Grotto and swim. Boat tours depart directly from the island as well as from the mainland ports of Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Naples, and Rome.

The crowds begin to thin after lunch, and this is a good time of day to take in the island’s highlights by land. Join a walking tour of Capri town to visit the piazzetta (Piazza Umberto I), the Gardens of Augustus overlooking Marina Piccola, and the Charterhouse of San Giacomo. In the nearby smaller town of Anacapri, take the chairlift to the top of Mt. Solaro or admire the elegant Villa San Michele. Stroll the scenic Migliera path, or admire the Roman ruins of Villa Jovis and Villa Damecuta. Gourmands can even join a a gelato class and tasting or a cooking class to learn how to prepare island specialities such as ravioli capresi and torta caprese.

If you are staying on Capri after the last ferry departs, lucky you! Savor the most beautiful hours of the day, when the sun sets over the Mediterranean and the island settles into silence. Linger in the piazzetta for an aperitivo, perhaps rubbing elbows with Hollywood stars and international celebrities, then book a table at one of the many waterfront restaurants overlooking the Mediterranean for dinner with a view. Alternatively, set sail on a sunset boat tour with a prosecco toast at sea. Night owls can even dance into the wee hours at the trendy taverna nightclubs. From dusk to dawn, Capri glows with an utterly romantic magic.