Phoenician Steps, Ancient stone stairway in Anacapri, Italy
The Phoenician Steps are a rock-carved stairway of approximately 920 steps linking Marina Grande port with the elevated town of Anacapri. The route winds steeply through cliff faces and ends near the entrance of Villa San Michele.
Greek settlers carved these steps between the 7th and 6th centuries BC to connect their trading settlements. The path remained the primary access route for more than two millennia until roads reached the island in the 1800s.
The name references ancient Phoenician traders who may have influenced early routes, though Greek colonists later developed the main passage. Women from the settlement historically carried water containers up the steps daily, a practice that defined the rhythm of community life for centuries.
The climb begins near Palazzo al Mare in Marina Grande and takes roughly one hour to reach the upper opening. Wearing sturdy shoes is important since the steps are narrow and can become slippery in places, especially after rain.
Stone crosses embedded along the steps were placed by bishops long ago to protect travelers from falling rocks. These religious markers now stand alongside modern steel safety nets that blend ancient tradition with contemporary protection.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
