We seriously loved our 3 days in Capri, and taking the chair lift to Monte Solaro was one of our favorite things to do on the island. Why? Because it was quick and easy, the chair lift itself was fun and relaxing, and those 360-degree summit views were genuinely spectacular.
After ticking off all of Capri’s top attractions and experiences, we think Monte Solaro is up there with the very best things you can add to your itinerary. When talking to our friends or family who plan to visit Capri, we always say don’t miss Monte Solaro in Anacapri.
Here we are at the summit of Monte Solaro
Hi, we’re Mark and Kristen Morgan. We left our scientific careers in 2018 to become travel writers and photographers, and since then our expert guides have helped millions of travel planners take better trips. Read more about us.
Why trust us with your Capri plans? We spent 3 full days exploring the island’s popular and hidden gem attractions. The chair lift to Monte Solaro was one of the better things we did. As always, every photo in this guide is ours.
Now, we don’t want you to think we’re just buttering up any old thing, even if it’s not actually that great. That’s not our style, and here’s the proof – we thought the famous Blue Grotto in Capri was massively overrated. But Monte Solaro? Well worth it.
This guide explains exactly what happened when we took the chair lift to Monte Solaro in Capri, how you can get tickets and the mistakes you should avoid based on what we learned. Okay, let’s begin!
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Our Monte Solaro Experience
After spending 2 amazing days exploring the east and central areas of the island, we took an early morning bus from Via Roma in Capri to Piazza Vittoria in Anacapri, and spent our final day hitting the top sights, hikes and museums on the west side of the island.
We started with a visit to Villa San Michele (€10 entry per person), which we also thought was well worth doing, before sitting down for a quick coffee with a view at Billy’s Bar above the museum.
This was the door we entered through to access the chair lift
Then we walked back to Piazza Vittoria and made our way through the small square to a white building with red letters stating “Seggiovia Monte Solaro”, which was where we would begin our journey to Capri’s highest point at 589 meters (1,932 feet).
The Chair Lift
It was a beautifully sunny and clear day in mid-May, so we definitely wanted to pay the €14 each for roundtrip chair lift tickets to the summit.
We were the only two people inside the ticket office and most of the chairs passing through were empty (maybe 1 in 5 was taken), so we knew it was going to be nice and quiet at the summit.
Mark took this photo of Kristen from the chair lift behind 
Look how low it goes over houses and gardens!
For some reason we went in assuming it would be 2-seater chairlifts, but it turned out to be 158 single-seater lifts. So Kristen hopped on one and Mark hopped on the one right behind, and we began our ascent.
Interestingly, the lower portion of the chair lift stayed super close to the ground. We remember only being maybe 20 feet above houses, gardens and a dirt trail path.
This was where we arrived at the summit and left to go back down
Still not far above ground, the chair lift then cut through trees and began gaining more significant elevation. Views started opening to our right side (facing northwest) over the Gulf of Naples and the nearby island of Ischia.
The final push was steeper and a little bit higher up above jagged rocks, but overall it felt very safe. And then all of a sudden, after a very peaceful and relaxing 13 minutes, we arrived at Monte Solaro summit and the tallest point on Capri.
One of our favorite telephoto shots of a lift with Ischia looming behind Anacapri
Tip: The best part of the view was behind us on the way up to the summit, but that meant we got those better views on the way down. Don’t put your back out by twisting around to see the views on the way up!
The Summit
We got off the chair lift, followed a big red arrow, walked through an old stone gated entrance and up some steps to a very flat and wide open viewing platform on what was once a fortress.
This was the entrance to the viewing terrace area
The flat summit terrace wasn’t huge but it was certainly bigger than we’d expected. There was a fountain in the center, some small bushes and trees, lots of colorful flowers in pots and a few hotspots with people taking photos of significant others.
This was the wide open summit as we climbed the final steps
Our immediate reaction? Eyebrows raised, big smiles and slow nods of approval. We had 270-degree views as far as the eye could see, and it was a clear day so we could see where the deep blue sky met the deep blue sea on the distant horizon.
This was our first view looking down at the cliffs and sea
What about the other 90 degrees of view? Well that was behind the only built up area at the summit, a restaurant and bar with flags from various nations flying above.
Here’s Kristen on the tiny platform above the arch
We’d go there next, but for now we took photos in all directions, including our favorite spot on top of the arch we’d just entered through. It had a tiny fenced-in platform with nothing but blue behind.
This is the money shot you have to get at the summit
After snapping a ton of photos, we walked towards the restaurant and straight down a staircase on the right side. From the steps we took the Monte Solaro money shot – small statue of Emperor Augustus on the right side of the frame with dramatic Capri views in the left and center.
We could clearly see Capri, the Faraglioni and the mainland
The stairs led us down to a kind of garden area with a walking path circling around to various viewpoints. From this side we could see the buildings of Capri town, Marina Grande and Marina Piccola scattered all over the rest of Capri, way down from our much higher vantage point.
Here’s a photo we took of the Faraglioni from the summit at 105mm
To the right side we could see the famous Faraglioni (three sea stacks) and further in the distance we could also clearly see Punta Campanella on the mainland. It truly was an amazing view.
The Restaurant
Once we’d soaked up the views and taken yet more photos, we walked back up the staircase to La Canzone del Cielo – the only place to eat or drink at the top of Monte Solaro.
The restaurant itself was a small building, but the terrace area with tables and chairs was pretty expansive. There must have been 30 or so tables, but not many were occupied.
One of our favorite telephoto shots of a lift with Ischia looming behind Anacapri
We expected the food and drinks to be overpriced because it was the only option, but even so the prices were ridiculous. Sure, the views right from our table were incredible but that doesn’t make it okay to charge €8 for a can of Coke or cup of coffee.
Luckily, we planned ahead for our morning and made sure to fill up enough at breakfast before going up Monte Solaro. The coffee at Villa San Michele helped put us on and we’d already picked out a place to eat lunch once we got back to Anacapri called Sciue Sciue (which was great).
The views were pretty awesome from the restaurant
That said, when were we going to be at the summit of Monte Solaro on Capri again? So we did something we very rarely do – willingly ordered overpriced drinks. Mark got a Tuborg beer and Kristen got a glass of rose wine. Yes, the cost was ludicrous. But the view was immense, and we made every sip count.
Tip: After reading these Google reviews for the restaurant it seems like they have questionable customer service on top of overly expensive prices. Make your own call, if we went back we’d skip it for sure.
Tickets + Hours
The chair lift to Capri’s Monte Solaro costs €14 for a return ticket or €11 for a one-way ticket. You can only buy tickets in person at the booth in Seggiovia di Monte Solaro in Piazza Vittoria in Anacapri, which is where the chair lift begins and ends. Here’s the map location.
Note: Children under 8 can ride for free with a parent, but whether or not you feel that’s safe is entirely up to you. Personally, we would be happy to do it with our 11 month old daughter in a wearable baby carrier, or maybe with a sensible 6-7 year old but not with a wriggly 2-3 year old.
Okay, so the return ticket makes sense, but why would you buy a one-way ticket? Well, that’s because there’s also a hiking trail you can walk between Seggiovia di Monte Solaro and the summit. You could hike up and take the chair lift down, or take the chair lift up and hike down.
If you hike, just know it’s 1.2 miles each way with almost 1,000 feet elevation change. We didn’t hike it but we read comments that the earlier part of the trail close to the chair lift in Anacapri is very steep.
We loved this sundial blanketed in shadow at the summit
Chair lift hours vary by season:
- November to February – 9:30am to 3:30pm
- March to April – 9:30am to 4:30pm
- May to October – 9:30am to 5:00pm
But here are two important caveats:
- The chair lift stays open until 8:30pm every Friday and Saturday in June, July and August.
- It completely closes for maintenance for a 20-day period between January and February.
We liked only being able to buy tickets in person because it gave us the flexibility to see what the weather would be like. It would have been frustrating if we paid in advance only to arrive on a rainy or cloudy day with poor visibility.
Here’s the official site if you want to learn more about the chair lift and restaurant or even to see a live webcam from the summit.
Tip: If you’re not staying on Capri, you’ll arrive by ferry into Marina Grande and have to take a very expensive taxi (so avoid that) or two buses – one from Marina Grande to Capri, and another from Capri to Anacapri. The free alternative is to climb the steep Scala Fenicia staircase but it’s no joke!
These beautifully vibrant flowers were scattered all around the summit
Mistakes To Avoid
Going when it’s cloudy: The biggest mistake you should avoid is taking the chair lift on a day when there’s going to be no visibility from the summit of Monte Solaro. It wouldn’t be worth €14 per person without the views, so make sure it’s clear before paying.
Visiting at peak times: We took the chair lift before lunch on a weekday in May and it was super quiet. But we’ve read reviews indicating wait times of 20-60 minutes when arriving between midday and 3:00pm, especially in June, July and August. It makes sense because day trippers won’t arrive until around midday. Take the chair lift early in the morning or after 4:00pm to avoid waiting in a long line.
Expecting to buy tickets online: You can only buy tickets in person at the chair lift station in Anacapri. Don’t waste time trying to find a place you can book in advance because it doesn’t exist.
Dropping something from the chair lift: We’ve taken tons of chairlifts around the world, and honestly this one felt very safe. But it is a single-seater lift with just one safety bar so you’re entirely exposed to elements and if you drop something (like your phone!), it’s gone.
Not getting off the chair lift: Just like a chair lift at a ski resort, we had to physically be able to get ourselves off the lift to exit. It goes slowly but it doesn’t stop at the top, so you must be prepared to open the safety bar and step off quickly. We don’t want any embarrassing falls here!
Eating lunch in the summit restaurant: It’s overpriced and the reviews suggest seriously poor service. We already linked to Google reviews earlier, but here are the reviews on Tripadvisor to see more. Get lunch in Anacapri instead, you’ll get better food and normal prices.
Thinking the toilet is free: It’s not! The only restaurant at the top also has the only toilet at the top, so the only way to use the toilet for free is to eat at the restaurant. Otherwise it’ll cost you €1-2 (it was 1 when we visited but other comments suggest it’s 2 now).
Not thinking about the sun: There’s a handful of places you can escape the sun at Monte Solaro’s summit, but the chair lift and viewing terrace are mostly exposed so don’t forget sunscreen, hats and plenty of water if you visit in warmer months. Going up early or much later also means you avoid the worst of the harsh sun.
Underestimating the hike: If you’re visiting Capri on a shoestring budget you might want to hike instead of paying for the chair lift. Just don’t underestimate how hard the climb is, especially on a hot day. And to be clear, if you hike all the way from Marina Grande, the Scala Fenicia is a beast so only attempt it if you’re in good shape.
Our Pros + Cons
What we loved :
- Quiet and relaxing
- Sensational views
- Easy to visit
What we didn’t like :
- Restaurant at summit
- Restrooms cost €2
- Weather dependent
Here’s another photo of Kristen at the summit
Is It Worth Taking The Chair Lift To Monte Solaro?
After visiting all the major attractions and hiking the top trails in Capri, we think taking the chair lift to Monte Solaro is one of the best things you can do on the island.
At €14 per person, it’s not too expensive. The chair lift is tranquil, scenic and just the right amount of time at 13 minutes each way. Then at the summit, your reward is genuinely staggering 360-degree views over blue skies and seas, along with the built up areas lower down in Capri.
We thought the Blue Grotto was overhyped, but Monte Solaro was well worth the money, time and effort. Go early to avoid the crowds and heat, skip lunch at the top, and enjoy those views.
Next Steps
We hope our Monte Solaro guide helps with planning your visit to Capri.
Let us know if you have any questions about the chair lift or summit in the comments box below, or take a look at our expert travel planning services if you’d like help planning your trip to Capri, the Amalfi Coast or Italy.
Still figuring out your plans for Italy?
Finally, if you’ll be visiting more places on the same trip, we recommend reading our Italy travel planning guide for helpful tips and advice.
Happy Travels,
Mark and Kristen
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Mark and Kristen spent 6 years traveling the world, visiting over 40 countries across 4 continents and more than 30 US states. They created Where Are Those Morgans in 2018 to help others plan the best possible vacations by writing authentic travel and hiking guides based on their real experiences.
Since the arrival of baby Maya in late 2024, Mark and Kristen’s extensive travels have slowed down but they still take plenty of trips. Where Are Those Morgans now helps millions of travelers each year to visit new places and hike new trails through information-packed blog posts and expert travel guidebooks. Read more about Mark and Kristen.