Shopping on Capri is either a dream or a nightmare: a dream given the number of luxury and designer boutiques and one-of-a-kind bespoke fashions, but a nightmare for the high end price tags and endless temptation to pull out your credit card.
The luxury shopping area in Capri town covers the triangle from the Piazzetta to Via Camerelle and Via Le Botteghe. In Anacapri, along Via Giuseppe Orlandi there are a number of artisan boutiques, while the souvenir shops are concentrated along the lane which leads to Villa San Michele.
Fashion (able) Boutiques
Any designer label which comes to mind when you think of haute couture probably has a boutique on Capri. Along the 200 meters between the Piazzetta and Via Camerelle, there is probably one of the most concentrated areas of fashion boutiques in the world. Here you can buy the "in" bag of the season, the first pieces of the winter collections, special or limited edition pieces, or jewels valued at hundreds of thousands of euros.
The boutiques along this stretch are open from mid-April to the middle of October, from 10 am to late in the evening.
If you are interested in purchasing local handicrafts and gourmet products found only on the island of Capri, here are some of our suggestions:
Capri Sandals
These flat sandals, handmade to order, are one of the symbols of Capri. Local artisans measure each client's foot and then fashion a bespoke sandal from the straps and decorations that client has chosen. Jackie Kennedy loved these sandals and would have the Canfora workshop open at midnight exclusively for her so she could choose her sandals in privacy. Still today, Canfora's shoemaker Costanzo has Jackie's foot measurements recorded in his historic notebook of faithful clients.
Artisanal Perfume
As you explore the island, you'll come across a number of perfume ateliers handcrafting artisanal scents. Perfume making has a long history on the island, dating from the 1400's when the monks of the Charterhouse of San Giacomo first began extracting the essence of Capri's flowers and herbs in alcohol.
Limoncello
You won't want to leave the island without taking with you one of Capri's gastronomic specialties for the plate...or glass. One of the most popular souvenirs from the island is a good bottle of local Limoncello, the after-dinner liqueur made from the island's lemons. Also popular is the Torta Caprese, a traditional island cake made from chocolate and almonds.