LifestyleCapri's tourist influx creates challenges for an island paradise

Capri's tourist influx creates challenges for an island paradise

Capri, a picturesque island in the Bay of Naples, is the most crowded place in Italy. It attracts around 50,000 people daily. The island's authorities are grappling with challenges related to excessive tourism.

Crowds flood Capri
Crowds flood Capri
Images source: © Adobe Stock | Diego Fiore
Iwona Kołczańska

Capri, known for its beautiful landscapes and luxurious resorts, attracts more tourists than Venice or Florence. The newspaper "Corriere della Sera" reports that approximately 50,000 people arrive on the island daily, resulting in severe congestion.

The increase in tourists on Capri

The tourist density rate on Capri exceeds 3,000 people per square mile, which is the highest in Italy.

Over the past few years, the number of visitors has increased by 24 per cent, reaching 3 million annually. Most tourists, as many as 91 per cent, come to Capri for only a few hours, leading to chaos and long queues. The mayor of Capri, Paolo Falco, has been taking action for years to limit the number of tourists, but so far with little success.

Due to the crowds, navigating the island has become difficult, and the situation is becoming increasingly dramatic. In response to these challenges, defibrillators have been installed on tourist routes to enhance visitor safety. Mayor Falco plans to hold further discussions with central authorities, including the Minister of the Interior, to find a solution to the problem.

Despite numerous attempts, the mayor has not yet managed to secure support from the minister responsible for tourism, Daniela Santanchè. Falco emphasises that public safety is at stake, and the situation requires urgent action.

Capri - a mecca for the wealthy

The small, mountainous Capri lies in the Bay of Naples, directly adjacent to the Sorrento Peninsula. Its extraordinary charm was discovered long ago and has for years been a holiday mecca for the famous and wealthy. Capri is among the most exclusive places in Europe.

The area of Capri is only 4 square miles, and the island features two towns - Capri and Anacapri, connected by picturesque mountain routes. The region is especially enchanting with its stunning coastline and incredible rock formations.

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