Capraia Isola is a small, mountainous island in the Mediterranean Sea. It belongs to the Italian province of Livorno and is located a little more than halfway between the mainland and the island of Corsica. There is only one village, also called Capraia Isola, on the island, which is part of the protected National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago.
Capraia Isola travel guide
Useful information
Tourist information: Presso “La Salata, Via Assunzione, 72, 57032 Capraia Isola. Phone: +39 347 7714601. Hours: From 09:00 till 13:00 and from 15:30 till 19:30.
Town hall: Via Vittorio Emanuele, 26 – 57032 Capraia. Phone: +39 0586 905025.
Tourist attractions
The most prominent tourist attraction on the island is the San Giorgio Fortress, which dates back to the early 15th century.
The San Nicola Church is located in Piazza Milano. The church gets its name from a wooden statue of this saint that was fished out of the water and can still be seen inside the church itself.
The highest point of Capraia is the summit of Monte Arpagna. It is at an altitude of 400 meters and offers a breathtaking view of the archipelago and Corsica.
Beaches
Capraia Isola is justly famous for its rocky beaches. One of the better known ones is Torretta al Bagno. The water here is quite deep, so it might not be a good spot for families with young children.
The Spiaggetta la Grotta is more family friendly. Firstly, it is easier to reach (a pleasant walk from the village) and secondly, the water is not very deep.
The Cala dello Zurletto beach is further from the center. It is located at the end of a cove flanked by rocky volcanic cliffs. Here you can swim in the presence of myriads of kinds of fish.
A brief history of Capraia Isola
Between 1873 and 1989, the island was used as a penal colony.
How to get to Capraia Isola
To reach Capraia from the Italian mainland, it is necessary to take the ferry from Livorno. The travel time is two hours and 45 minutes.
It is not allowed to bring cars onto the island. This is not a problem, since it is very small and everything can be visited on foot. It is only one kilometer from the port to the city of Capraia.