Are you wondering what to wear In Capri Italy? This guide tells you exactly what to wear on Capri Island for sightseeing, beaches, dinner and more.
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Where is Capri?
Capri, or Capri Island is an island in the Bay of Naples, famed for luxury hotels and restaurants, beautiful beaches and amazing landscapes.
But with this array of landscapes and activities how should you dress for Capri? In this guide we will round up the Capri Dress code alongside outfit inspiration for whatever season you are visiting.
It is worth noting that you can transfer to Capri by ferry from Naples, Sorrento, Salerno and other Amalfi towns. But depending where you go from will depend how long it takes and the type of boat you will transfer via.
However there is a chance you will be outside on the ferry so you will want to take a hat and sun protection with you for the transfer.
But before we get onto our Capri Guide, if you plan on visiting some other Southern Italy guides:
- What to wear on the Amalfi Coast
- What to wear in Positano
- What to wear in Naples
- What to Wear to Pompeii
Capri Dress Code
As with many places in Italy, Capri doesn’t really have a dress code per se. In fact given the beautiful rugged landscapes and beaches, you will find many people opt for a more casual dress code on Capri.
However it is worth pointing out that casual does not mean unstylish. Capri is a very fashionable island therefore I would opt for more upmarket casual outfits when visiting the island.
The only real place you will find a dress code at Capri tourist attractions is in churches, in particular the main church on Capri, Santo Stefano. All Italian churches have strict dress codes so be sure to read up on what to wear here if you plan to visit a church while in Capri.
What to Wear in Capri in Summer (June, July and August)
Summer in Capri is classified as June, July and August. However peak tourist season usually runs from May to October.
So what should you wear in Capri in Summer?
The key for putting together you Capri capsule wardrobe is preparing outfits for the heat. The summer season in Capri has daily high temperatures above 82°F. And in the hottest month, which is August on Capri there is an average high of 87°F and low of 74°F.
For this reason we recommend packing lots of loose and flowing clothing made of natural fabrics such as cottons, silks and linens which are more breathable and will reduce sweat.
Maxi Dresses and Maxi Skirts
One of our favorite things to wear on any island in summer are Maxi Dresses and maxi skirts.
Loose and flowing clothes are better for the summer in Capri as they will help to keep you cool in the hot temperatures.
They work well on the beach and around resorts but paired with a pashmina and a statement piece of jewelry they are the perfect thing to wear to dinner on Capri in summer.
However for exploring light weight shirt dresses are another great option.
Trousers and Blouse
Trousers and blouses are a great alternative to maxi dresses for exploring towns in Capri and having dinner as they are a great day to night transition outfit.
Linen trousers are popular as they are very lightweight and good in the heat.
Tank Tops and T Shirts
These are perfect for on the beach in Capri and exploring the islands tourist attractions such as the Blue Grotto.
And they can be paired with skirts or shorts. If you are wearing tank tops and want to visit churches however be sure to have a top layer or pashmina with you to meet church dress codes.
Pashmina
I never travel anywhere in Italy without a pashmina. It is great in the evenings in case you get chilly dining al fresco and can also be used to make an outfit more modest for visiting churches in Italy.
Although churches won’t be the primary activity you do in Capri, this is likely to be beaches,. restaurants and work, I am sure you will head into one so having at least one church outfit is a good idea.
Shorts
Although we don’t tend to recommend wearing shorts in the cities in Italy, shorts are fine on the island of Capri.
Swimwear
If you are visiting Capri in Summer chances are you will be spending time on the beach and on boats. Therefore you will want to have some stylish swimwear with you.
As there are no dress codes on beaches on Capri you can choose whatever swimwear you feel most comfortable in whether that be one pieces or bikinis.
Depending on how long you plan to spend on Capri depends on how many pieces of swimwear you will need.
However I would recommend packing at least two swimwear pieces so one can be drying while you are wearing the other.
Beach Cover
Beach covers are an absolute must on Capri for wondering around the beach and visiting beach bars and restaurants.
Sun Hats
Sun hats are a staple on any Capri packing list. Be sure to pick a wide brimmed straw hat instead of a baseball cap to fit more in with the locals and to provide your face with added protection from the sun.
Underwear
Goes without saying
PJs
We recommend packing lightweight PJs as not everywhere in Capri will have air conditioning. You may want to check out whether or not your accommodation has air conditioning before booking.
And if you are visiting other areas of Italy in Summer be sure to check out our other Italian Summer packing Lists:
- what to wear to Venice in Summer
- What to wear to Cinque Terre in Summer
- What to wear to Rome in August
- What to wear to Rome in July
- What to wear to Italy in August
- What to wear to Italy in July
What to Wear to the Naples Italy in Spring and Fall (March, April, May and September, October and November)
It is worth saying again that the peak season on Capri runs from May to October.
However if you visit outside of this time you may find some of the amenities that are geared towards tourists are still shut.
April is warmest month of the Spring Season with average high temperatures hovering between 66-72F and the average low being 54°F to 59°F.
For this reason we recommend packing the same as the summer, though you may need less in terms of swimwear as generally speaking Spring is too cold to swim in the sea around April.
If you are visiting Capri in Fall you will find that September and October have pleasant temperatures during the day, and you still may be able to swim in the sea during these months.
However the temperatures drop considerably in November and it is unlikely that you will be able to swim in November on Capri unless you have accommodation with a heated pool.
For this reason we recommend sticking to the same packing list as summer for Spring and Fall however you will want some added layers and potentially some jeans for the cooler months.
we also recommend adding the following additions to your packing list
Cardigan
Capri evenings in Spring can be cold so be sure to add a cardigan or two to pair to your dress and trousers outfits.
Sweater
This is great for exploring in March and Early April in Capri.
Jacket
This may be needed if you are visiting the Capri in March.
Also you may be able to get away with just one item of swimwear if you are traveling at this time.
What to Wear in Capri in Winter (December, January and February)
The truth is that Capri is not very well visited during the winter and off season months. The reason for this is because outside of the tourist season many of the islands attractions and restaurants that are aimed at the tourist market will close for the season.
And even though Blue Grotto states that it is open all year round, you will find it does close during inclement weather. For this reason we don’t advise people to travel to Capri outside of the main season due to limited amenities.
However if you do decide to visit Capri in Winter you will want to have lots of layers and similar clothes as that you would wear in the mainland city of Naples.
Also one of the attractions of visiting at this time of year is in the walking that can be done without the crowds.
Jacket, waterproof
You will definitely want a warm jacket for Capri in Winter. If possible we recommend a waterproof one as you can get rainy.
And if you don’t have a waterproof top layer we recommend packing a compact umbrella with you instead.
Cardigans, Sweaters and Top Layers
We recommend packing a few different types of top layers with you for instance a combination of cardigans, sweaters and hoodies of different weights so you have enough variety in case of a very cold snap.
Long Sleeve Tops
It is unlikely you will be wearing short sleeve t shirts in Capri in Winter so we recommend packing a variety of long sleeve tops and blouses with you including some smarter ones for dinners.
Jeans
Although linen trousers are perfect for Capri in Summer and the shoulder seasons, they are simply too lightweight in Winter.
WE recommend going with heavier weight trousers in Winter. We tend to recommend packing jeans for Capri in Winter. I personally would select a pair of darker and skinnier fit trousers as opposed to light and baggy jeans anywhere in Italy.
Pashmina
I never go to Italy without one no matter the time of year you are visiting.
Underwear
Goes without saying
Pjs
A slightly heavier weight pair are better in Winter than a lightweight pair
Best Shoes for Capri Italy
Sneakers
There are many rumours online that running shoes and trainers aren’t appropriate for Italy. However this is simply not true.
In fact we think sneakers are the perfect shoe for Capri. They work for walking and exploring the town tourist attractions.
However you may want some waterproof sneakers if you are traveling during winter.
Sandals
These are an absolute must for summer in Capri. If you plan on doing lots of walking then we recommend packing a pair with good arch support.
But having a smarter pair for evenings for in some of the higher end restaurants is a good idea.
Water Shoes (optional)
As Capri is a volcanic island, you will find that most of the beaches are rocky. For this reason we recommend packing a pair of water shoes to protect you feet on the beach.
Flip Flops
If you decide against water shoes and are planning on spending time on the beach on Capri I recommend taking a pair of flip flops.
However I would not wear these around town.
What Else to add to your Naples Packing List
- Sunscreen
- Aftersun cream
- Phone / Camera
- Charger
- Reusable Water bottle
- Toiletries
- Beach bag