You’re reading Nina Garcia’s Insider Guide newsletter, exclusively available on ELLE.com to All Access members. This edition was originally published in June 2026. Sign up to receive the next edition here.When people throw out the phrase la dolce vita, they’re thinking about Capri. The tiny (four-square-mile!) limestone island has changed little since the 1960s, when the small fishing village became a vacation destination for writers, actors, and the fashion elite. Some of the most indelible images of Capri are photos from Jackie Kennedy Onassis’s trips there, depicting her navigating the island in relaxed white pants with kerchiefs worn on her head.In Capri, everything is within walking distance. The days are simple ones, spent swimming in the Tyrrhenian Sea, gazing at the Faraglioni rock formations, and eating once-in-a-lifetime meals. My favorite thing to do is sit on the terrace of the Hotel Quisisana, have an aperitivo, and people-watch. Capri is a very social place, and the best part is the bustling streets full of little shops and amazing restaurants—the fish is always fresh—and how you can run into friends you haven’t seen for ages. Shopping is another high point. I love looking for the perfect jewelry piece and home décor accents.For this month’s Insider Guide, I solicited recommendations from my dear friends Michael Kors and journalist Alina Cho, both frequent visitors to Capri. Together, we’ve assembled a guide to all the highlights, from hotels and restaurants to niche shops and can’t-miss museums. I’ll see you there!BEST TIME TO GO:While people love the perfect weather in June and July, the crowds can make getting around difficult. Visit in May, early June, or September, when the weather is still great and things are a bit more peaceful.SleepCourtesy of Nina GarciaGrand Hotel Quisisana: One of the best places to truly enjoy Capri, Quisisana is a celebrity favorite for a reason. Located right near Capri’s central square, it offers views of the ocean and the famous Faraglioni rock formations. Kors loves the hotel’s history—famous guests range from Oscar Wilde and Jean-Paul Sartre to Ernest Hemingway and Gianni Agnelli.J.K. Place Capri: A favorite of mine, J.K. Place, which is located right on the ocean, offers direct access to the beach. Designed by celebrated Italian architect Michele Bönan, it has only 22 rooms, which lends a truly personal feel.Jumeirah Capri Palace: Another popular option is Jumeirah Capri Palace, which is located in Anacapri, a quieter part of the island. It sits on a hilltop, framed by gardens. The rooms, which have views of either the water or the gardens, include suites designed by celebrated Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola. This summer, the hotel debuted a new pool terrace, gardens, bar, and lounge designed by Urquiola.Hotel Punta Tragara: With only 44 rooms and suites, Punta Tragara is a more intimate option. The views are incredible, and it has an architectural pedigree—part of the property was designed by Le Corbusier, and during World War II it was a command center for the American Command. The handful of suites each have their own style and personality, some with their own terraces or sea views from the bathtub. The Pegaso Etro suite measures close to 1,000 square feet.Also try:Hotel La ScalinatellaHotel Caesar AugustusDineCourtesy of Nina GarciaBreakfast:Gran Caffè Vuotto: Set right on the Piazzetta, it’s the best place to get a morning coffee. Kors often stops by for a tè freddo with lemon ice after a day at the beach.Buonocore: Get pastries and coffee in the morning and the best ice cream in Capri later in the day.Lunch:Il Riccio: Il Riccio is situated right on the water with tremendous views; a collaboration with Dior means that the line’s décor includes the brand’s signature toile de Jouy fabric.Salumeria da Aldo: This family-owned grocery store has a deli counter offering the best sandwiches in town. The location makes it a great option for a day on the water. Pick up your favorite sandwiches and head to the marina to rent your own personal boat. The caprese with prosciutto crudo is always a big hit.Le Grotelle: You couldn’t dream up a better setting. Le Grotelle’s terrace is set into the cliffs and it offers some of the greatest views on the island. Menu highlights include ravioli alla caprese, eggplant parmigiana, and the local fish pezzogna.Also try:GradolaTrattoria Il SolitarioDinner:Da Paolino: A dinner at Da Paolino, which sits in a lemon grove, is a truly special experience. The menu of Caprese classics and the stunning outdoor terrace make the family-run restaurant a favorite of celebrities. Also be sure to try the equally beautiful sister restaurant, Casa Paolino, in the center of Capri.Aurora: The oldest restaurant on Capri, Aurora always has a great crowd and its famous pizza all’acqua, which is incredibly light and always crispy, makes it a top dining destination in Capri.La Capannina: Family-owned for three generations, La Capannina has a warm feel and the homemade ravioli caprese and fresh pezzogna with potato crust are menu favorites.Also try:Villa VerdeDa GiorgioDa Luigi ai FaraglioniDiscoverCourtesy of Nina GarciaFontellina Beach Club: With its trademark blue-and-white umbrellas, the famous beach club is an iconic Capri destination, beloved by both Cho and Kors. For Kors, a perfect beach day is topped off with spaghetti alle vongole, while Cho loves to take a boat to the nearby town of Nerano for lunch at Lo Scoglio, which, she says, “will change your life.”Villa San Michele: The 19th-century home of Swedish doctor Axel Munthe is now a must-visit museum. Munthe built the villa on a site that was formerly a residence of Roman Emperor Tiberius and, in the 10th century, a chapel. The museum has stunning architecture (think porticoes and columns) and is filled with artworks. One of the most stunning sights is the 3,200-year-old granite sphinx sculpture that looks out onto the water.Blue Grotto: This sea cave is one of the most stunning sites in Capri. Visitors take small rowboats and duck down to pass through a narrow opening, measuring only around 3 feet high and 6 feet wide, to enter. Once inside the cave’s nearly 200-by-82-foot space, you’re surrounded by intensely blue waters. But FYI, don’t try to swim! It’s illegal and comes with a hefty fine.Also try:Bagni TiberioLa Canzone del MareShopCourtesy of Nina GarciaCabana: Fashion editor Helen White’s décor store is full of treasures. The native New Yorker works with European artisans to offer pieces you can’t find anywhere else, like exquisite hand-painted homeware.La Perla Cultivada: One of my favorite places to visit is La Perla Cultivada, a jewelry store founded and run by the Fiore family for decades. It specializes in exquisite jewels and creates pieces you can’t find anywhere else.Carthusia: Capri is known for its tradition of perfumery, and Carthusia is a world of scent that lets you step right in. Kors picks up the lemon soap whenever he’s in town.Canfora: As the legend goes, Jackie O asked the shop, which sells famous handmade, custom flat sandals, to open in the middle of the night so she could shop unbothered. Then-owner Amedeo Canfora was so entranced that he created the K sandal style in her honor.Laboratorio: It’s rare now to get a truly original shopping experience, but at Laboratorio, which sells beautiful and creative handmade pieces that channel the Italian spirit, you’ll find one. The store is run by brothers Michele and Augusto Gigino, who were introduced to fashion by their parents, who owned a local tailoring shop.Also try:ChanteclerCuccurulloDa CostanzoAngela Puttini GioielliWant to chat about my Insider Guide to Capri? Send me a note at ninagarciainsiderguide@hearst.com. I’ll see you next month. Until then, follow me at @ninagarcia on Instagram for real-time fashion and travel updates—and don’t forget to check out @elleusa too.SUBSCRIBE TO NINA GARCIA’S INSIDER GUIDE