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  • 2 days ago
Capri is hailed as a Mediterranean paradise. But in summer, the island is overrun by tourists. Is it any quieter in the fall?
Transcript
00:01The island of Capri in Italy.
00:04Its picture-perfect landscapes and turquoise sea draw visitors from around the world.
00:12But this is also Capri.
00:15Foot traffic at a standstill in narrow streets,
00:18hours of waiting, upset residents.
00:21In summer, Capri is hopelessly overcrowded.
00:25What about visiting in fall instead?
00:28You can only reach the island by boat.
00:34From the harbour, you can take the funicular directly to the centre of the town of Capri,
00:39but you'll need to be patient.
00:43Taxis are an alternative, but you'll have to wait for them too.
00:48Most taxis here are convertibles specially designed for Capri.
00:53That's how warm it gets even in fall.
00:55It's tough to catch one, but much easier now than in summer.
01:00Anna Capri is one of only two towns on the island, with a real must-see.
01:06The Villa Saint-Michel.
01:08Swedish physician and author Axel Munter had it built in the 19th century.
01:13Today, tourists flock here and enjoy the magnificent view.
01:19The Villa Saint-Michel combines beauty, art, nature and spectacular views.
01:25Axel Munter chose a truly beautiful location.
01:30Munter discovered this spot 300 metres above sea level when he was just 19 years old.
01:35He had a magnificent garden created and collected antique art, like this over 3,000 year old Sphinx.
01:44There is plenty of art to see inside the Villa too.
01:47In 1948, Munter handed it over to the Swedish state, which is why the site is now open to visitors.
01:53If you want to spend a bit more time taking in the spectacular view, have a seat in the café. It's amazingly quiet here.
02:06This is a different side of Capri. More authentic, peaceful, a bit more rural.
02:16And even though the island is often overrun in the summer by mass tourism,
02:21there is still an atmosphere of serenity and tranquility here.
02:28On to the next tourist hotspot.
02:30On the south side of the island are the gardens of Augustus, created at the beginning of the 20th century by German industrialist Friedrich Alfred Krupp.
02:40This also gives you a stunning panoramic view of Capri, spanning the historic serpentine path via Krupp and the famous Faraglioni rocks.
02:51And on we go to the most famous square in Capri, Piazza Umberto I.
02:55First, this is the heart of Capri. It's crowded and full of cafés, even in the off-season. Everyone checks it out when they come.
03:04For locals like Marco Milano, it's a real nuisance. He was born here and is a member of the local consumer association.
03:12He doesn't recognise his hometown anymore.
03:14When I go to a bar, I have to wait because it's usually full. If I want to go out to eat with my family, it's pretty certain that everything will be booked up because the restaurants are rather small.
03:27It's the same if I want to go to the beach.
03:30In high summer, up to 16,000 tourists come every day, with a population of about 14,000. Since 2024, tourists have been charged five euros during high season.
03:43The aim is for more people to visit in winter instead, but it doesn't seem to be helping. For locals, this is causing huge problems, for example, with housing.
03:52Let me give you a personal example. I'm a teacher and earn between 1,400 and 1,500 euros a month. However, that amount is also the lowest price you can find to rent an apartment in Capri.
04:08The rent is calculated based on what the landlord could earn from renting to tourists during the same period.
04:19But no tourism isn't an option either. Many locals make their living from it, such as the boatmen. Every day, they ferry visitors to the famous Blue Grotto.
04:29In midsummer, the rush for tours is enormous, while in fall, it's quieter.
04:33In a nutshell, Capri is gorgeous, but it's definitely not an insider tip. If you still want to see the island, come in the off-season or the shoulder season.
04:43Meet.
04:46With your friend.
04:49Website Steps
04:52Set.
05:06Due
05:08With
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