Visiting Augustus Gardens
Alfred Krupp is more often associated with heavy industry and armaments than with botany. Yet, it is to this inventor, born in 1854, that Capri owes the Augustus Gardens, one of the sites on the island with the most iconic views. In the Bay of Naples, the businessman, a passionate oceanographer, found his personal sanctuary. It was amidst the crags that he had a winding, switchback path carved into the rock, the aptly named Via Krupp. This route, widely considered one of the most spectacular in the world, once served as the primary access to the flowering terraces. Currently closed to the public for safety reasons, many visitors still head to the gardens to admire the engineering feat from above.
The best view of the Faraglioni
Engineering a steep slope is rarely easy, and it took a mind like Krupp to bring the Augustus Gardens to life. With their terraced layout, they offer one of the most picturesque strolls in Capri. Balancing shade and direct sun, trees and flowers typical of the Mediterranean create a series of vibrant vignettes. The most striking elements are not found in the clusters of dahlias or broom, as the panoramic view steals the show from the botanical displays. It is simply impressive. The site overlooks the Marina Piccola beach and Monte Solaro, a 589-meter mountain that serves as the highest point on Capri. The entire scene is grand, but many will focus primarily on the beauty of the famous Faraglioni, the rock formations that emerge from the sea and have been sculpted by erosion into natural monuments. For these reasons, the allure of the Augustus Gardens is clear. They provide a space where the island's natural beauty is on full display and offer a vantage point to see the Via Krupp, carved into the cliffside in a series of hypnotic turns.
Opening hours
*Information subject to change
These gardens are very pleasant during nice weather. The layout is very well done, on a sloping terrain. From there, you have a beautiful view of the surroundings. It is the perfect place to rest a bit in peace and find some coolness in the summer. I recommend you take a walk there if you come during the warm season, otherwise the gardens will be less beautiful, but the view will still be there regardless.