Villa San Michele

Villa San Michele is where Swedish order meets Italian beauty – with a view so stunning it might cure mild existential crises. Built in the 19th century by Swedish doctor Axel Munthe (clearly a man with a flair for the dramatic), the villa boasts ancient columns, marble sphinxes, and a panorama over the Bay of Naples that could stop time. Just be careful on the terrace – it’s not vertigo or love, it’s the uphill walk catching up with you. :)

Although the journey there is challenging—especially on foot—it is absolutely worth it. This local gem boasts beautiful architecture and a truly stunning, expansive garden. Building the house in that exact spot was an inspired decision, as it offers a breathtaking view all year round. It is a must-visit.

One of my new most favourite places on Earth. So amazing, calm and beautiful gardens with view. Very nice roof cafe. Hope to come back one day.

This is possibly the best view on Capri. Make sure to visit this amazing Villa while on Capri. Absolutely breath taking views and a beautiful garden is waiting for you.

A beautiful villa with well kept, colourful gardens and beautiful views. The cafe has the most beautiful view and the staff were very friendly! In my mind, it is a highlight of Anacapri!

Villa San Michele is a historic villa and museum in Anacapri, on the island of Capri, Italy. It was built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by Swedish physician and writer Axel Munthe, who wrote about it in his famous book The Story of San Michele (1929). The villa is perched on a cliffside, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Bay of Naples and the Sorrentine Peninsula. I really enjoyed the peaceful and very beautiful garden and the view it offers!

Fantastic villa above hotel San Michelle. Beautiful gardens and views. Well- preserved historical villa.

Heaven on earth. The view is spectacular. The garden in the house is very peaceful.

So I'm giving it five stars not for the museum because in all honesty I am not a museum person and as far as Italy goes this would hardly rate as a museum unless your really into that author. That being said what I enjoyed was exploring the house and grounds and the views! The house itself is the "museum" aspect that I enjoyed most because it was an insight into how some really fortunate people lived. I enjoyed walking the grounds and the immaculate views the property offered. There was a room at the top that had a piano in it and it had a painting showing people partying there back in the day with the most amazing views behind them- I'll admit it had me daydreaming for a minute! It's peaceful up there with beautiful flowers, views and birds chirping. I'm not sure if you will think it's worth paying 8 euro for, but after tons of crowds everyday on our trip- I enjoyed the quite and birds chirping while gazing out at a immaculate view!

Villa Michele is a beautiful museum located on the tip top of the Isle of Capri. The property was once owned by Axel Munthe, a Swedish doctor (to the Swedish royal fam) who called Capri home for many years. Inside the museum is filled with sculptures, paintings and artifacts dating back to 17th Century. Outside the museum offers up spectacular views of the northern coast of Capri. The garden surrounding the property is also gorgeous. Admission is €7 and I thought a bit steep for the few minutes we spent touring the buildings and snapping photos of the view. Although I'm sure many could spend an afternoon having lunch (they have a bar & restaurant on site) and enjoying the grounds. Despite the cost I'm so glad we got to see Capri from this vantage point.

I thought this museum was just okay, honestly. For seven euros, it is expensive for what is offered, like everything on Capri. Yes, the beautiful white lookout at the top of the property is amazing and just as beautiful as the pictures in its advertisements, but the rest is not really anything exceptional. To be honest, unless you're a huge fan of Axel Munthe, I highly doubt this place will knock your socks off as it's basically a nice residence (but all of Europe is full of amazing palaces that will leave you unimpressed if you go here). Save your seven euros and do the chairlift for 8.50 to 11 euro, now that is an interesting activity that not a lot of islands offer. The chairlift on Anacapri also gives you a better view and a more interesting and touristy experience that I found more worth it, price-wise.

A must see location while in Capri, and I use the singular "location", because despite it being referenced as two different locations, it really is only one. It's like why does the Egyptian Obelisk in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican have a separate entry alongside St. Peter's Square. You have to be in the Square to see the Obelisk, and the latter is really just a stone stick. It's not like one can review an Obelisk. The same goes with Casa Axel Munthe and Villa St. Michele. You enter one and exit from the other. Having separate entries just confuses people. There's a Wiki entry for Villa St. Michele but not Casa Axel Munthe. If you go to Capri's own official tourism page, they list them both on the same page and don't differentiate...because it's effectively the same location. What will confuse you even more is that Casa Axel Munthe is listed as being in Anacapri, while Villa St. Michele is listed under Capri. Confused? Is there a rivalry going on, a contest of ownership? With that out of the way, it's still worth seeing. Ignoring the impressive architecture of the building itself, and the artifacts within it, you still have one of the best views of the whole island. From this vantage, you can look straight down upon the docks, so I'd best avoid the edge if you have issues with heights. We were part of a tour, and were the only ones in the building at the time; my assumption was that we were blessed with our punctuality, so go early if you want to beat any crowds. And what's great about the location is that the chair lift to Solaro is basically next door, and if you walk away from the stairs, you roll into an amazing labyrinth of streets packed with reasonable prices. Although not terribly old, the Casa/Villa and the views fringing it are a must.