Travel Virtually to 1950s Capri, Italy
Travel back in time to experience the glamour, excitement, and beauty of vacationing in Capri, Italy in the 1950s.
“Benvenuto a Bordo!” The Captain would call out as a packed ferry left the Sorrento port en route to Capri. Travelers chatted with excitement as they approached the small island off of the Amalfi Coast. For those in search of la dolce vita, Capri boasted elegance, exclusivity, and glamour for jet-setters, Hollywood stars, royals, and Italians in the 1950s. It also became a popular day-trip destination for those traveling around Naples and Sorrento because of its quick and easy ferry service.
Photo by Slim Aarons/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Upon arriving on the island, vacationers were immediately drawn to the turquoise waters and massive sea cliffs that Capri’s natural landscape has to offer. As the world’s first resort, dating back to 29 B.C., Emperor Augustus turned Capri into his private resort. In the photograph from 1958, swimmers explore the depths of the ocean.
Photo: Ingrid Bergman - Capri 1950
The Grand Hotel Quisisana is one of the most famous hotels on the island. It is located in the historic town of Capri, near the famous square, Piazza Umberto I. “Qui si sana” means “here one heals” in Italian. Founded originally in 1845 as a sanatorium for people suffering with chronic illness, British doctor George Sidney Clark turned the space into a hotel in 1861 as a result of the tourist appeal the island brought. In the 1950s, vacationers flocked to the prestigious hotel and others like it to experience a luxurious getaway unlike any other.
Photo: Nocella/Three Lions/Getty Images
Photo: Rita Hayworth - 1951
Nothing screams “Capri” more than spending the entire day out on a boat out in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Yachts, tour boats, and traditional gazzos glittered the sea. In the 1950s, vacationers loved spending their afternoons out on the water. Whether it be sunbathing or going out to see the famed Blue Grotto, Capri’s moderate summer temperatures and refreshing sea breeze made every day the perfect day to be out on the water, fully taking in the isle’s beauty.
Photo: © Slim Aarons: Cara Vuccino wearing a swimming cap as she tans alongside Marina Rava on a boat in Capri - 1958
Photo: © ullstein bild - Capri in 1958
Transport yourself to a shopper’s paradise along Capri’s winding streets. Another popular activity for tourists visiting Capri in the 1950s was to spend time visiting the many shops in the island’s historic town. In the summer months, the streets would be filled with people window shopping and stepping into boutiques to purchase handmade clothing and accessories. As the island where the most stylish people flocked during the summer, Capri pants, designed by fashion designer Sonja de Lennart in 1948, rose to popularity in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and were named after the Italian island.
Photo: Il Post It
Hollywood actress Rita Hayworth was photographed looking at bags and shoes at one of Capri’s women’s boutiques in 1950.
To end the day in typical Capri fashion, vacationers could be found enjoying a glass of wine and a dish of ravioli capresi. At this cafe terrace, tables are seemingly in deep conversation with family and friends. Some diners are looking out over the terrace, enjoying the breathtaking sunset.
Photo: © Ralph Crane - A terrace at a café in Capri, Italy, 1949
What’s a vacation in the 1950s without sending a postcard to the person you miss most? Before heading home, it was common to pick up a few postcards from Capri’s local vendors and write to your loved ones about your trip. Enjoy this vintage postcard from Capri, Italy to Bordeaux, France.
As their vacations came to an end, those who traveled to Capri in the 1950s didn’t want to leave. In fact, they wanted to stay forever. Because, let’s be honest, who wouldn’t? The glamour, the captivating landscape, the ocean breeze… 1950s Capri is the Italian paradise of our dreams.
Photo: Hamilton Wright - 1939
