Burrowed in the hills and against the mountains of central Italy is where you’ll find the delightful town of Capracotta. Positioned in one of Italy’s most underrated regions, Capracotta is the ideal mountain town worth visiting, regardless of the season. It is heavenly in nature, an array of outdoor activities, and its legendary regional cheese. It is satisfyingly unspoiled by kitschy tourism and remains to be one of the most wonderfully underrated destinations in central Italy.
In this short guide, we’ve included everything you want to know about visiting Capracotta in Molise.
Where is Capracotta in Italy?
The small town of Capracotta is located in the Isernia province, which is a province in the Italian region of Molise. Molise is one of the smallest regions in Italy and is bordered by Abruzzo in the north, Puglia and Campania in the south, and the Lazio region to the east. The region of Molise is primarily situated in central Italy but does own a small extension of coastline along the Adriatic Sea.
Capracotta is nestled inland, far from the coast and within the Apennines Mountains. The Apennines mountain range is comprised of various high peaks and runs down central Italy from north to south. It is seen as the natural barrier which divides the west and east sides of Italy. Capracotta happens to be the second highest town in altitude within the central Italian mountain range.
From the capital city of Rome, Capracotta lies west, just under 220 km and 3 hours away by car.
🛤 Travelling to Capracotta from Rome? Take a direct train from Termini Station to the Isernia train station. Then, hop on a 45-minute bus ride to Capracotta.
Map Location of Capracotta, Molise
What Is Capracotta Known For?
A direct translation of Capracotta means cooked sheep. Now, although there is a fable which may explain the origin of the town’s name in relation to sheep, Capracotta isn’t only admired for its sheep and lamb based La Pezzata dish. The humble mountain commune of Capracotta, Molise is notably known for being the 2nd highest inhabited town in central Italy.
With such a high elevation, this typically means there can be a lot of snow in the winter. So much snow, that Capracotta set a world record in 2015 for the most impressive snowfall within a 24-hour period. During a short 18-hour timeframe, the small town accumulated 256 cm (100 inches) of snow at its high altitude of around 1,420 metres (4,658 feet) above sea level.
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Best Time to Visit Capracotta, Molise
For the purpose of tourism, the best time to visit Capracotta depends on whether or not you enjoy embracing winter. If you’re like us and can’t get enough of the snow during the winter season, you’ll find Capracotta in Molise to be absolutely lovely from December – March. Of course, you’ll want to plan accordingly and look out for snow-friendly conditions, which can get tricky if you’re planning a trip well in advance.
📹 To check the current conditions for snow, view the Capracotta webcam.
The winter season is unquestionably the best time to visit Capracotta for winter activities such as snowshoeing, sledding, cross-country skiing, or sipping an Aperol Spritz while tanning in your snow boots. Christmas and the holiday season is also especially charming.
Equally as popular of a time, you’ll find that many people head to Capracotta during the summer. The weather at such high altitudes and in the mountains is substantially milder during Italy’s hottest month of August. Visiting Capracotta in the summer means you can enjoy the countless hiking trails, bicycle routes and cheese-filled picnics without being drenched in humidity or frying under the sun.
Wonderful Things to Do in Capracotta
Winter Activities at Prato Gentile
Prato Gentile is a plateaued sports area just outside of Capracotta town and one of the most iconic tourist destinations in the region. Well favoured in the winter, it is home to multiple tracks for cross-country skiing. With over 15 km of courses for the beloved sport, anyone from a beginner to an expert can enjoy a day at Prato Gentile. For children (or fun-loving adults), there are also a couple of great hills for bobsledding.
Summer months are just as delightful at Prato Gentile because there are many tables and stone barbecue pits for an ideal afternoon picnic. Combined with the hiking paths and mountain biking trails through the forests and plains, it’s the ultimate destination for any outdoor sports enthusiast.
Wander the Centro Storico (Historic Centre)
The best part about visiting any small town or village is walking through the historic center, or centro storico in Italian. Capracotta’s is quite small but comprised of one prominent “avenue” where you’ll find a selection of boutique shops and restaurants. You’ll find traditional features of any Italian town such as a handful of churches including Chiesa di Sant’Antonio di Padova and Chiesa Madre di Santa Maria Assunta. During the month of December and January, the streets are dressed in holiday lights and charming festive decor.
A bit unexpectedly, you’ll also see a snowplow with an American flag that is guarded by a glass barrier and on display. The snowplow holds a fascinating history of being donated by Italian migrants who moved to the U.S. and by an ex-mayor of New Jersey, back in the 1950s.
Gaze at the Poggio dei Grilli Panoramic Viewpoint
A beautiful and tranquil park sits at the edge of Capracotta and is one of the best panoramic viewpoints in the town. The garden is manicured, recently updated with a children’s playground and is most enjoyed on a clear day. Views from the park extend all the way to the peaks of the Maiella National Park and its Monte Amaro, which looks particularly stunning with a snow cap.
Hike to Monte Campo
The peak of Monte Campo is perched above the town of Capracotta and around 1,700 metres (5,577 feet) above sea level. In the summer, it’s a lovely one-hour hike to reach the top of Monte Campo by beginning at the trail entrance near Hotel Monte Campo. From the summit, you will be rewarded with sweeping views of landscapes belonging to not just one but two Italian regions (Molise and Abruzzo).
Visit the Garden of the Apennine Flora
This garden is a protected outdoor park which features the many plant and flora species of the area. You’ll find a variety of endangered and rare plant breeds alongside typical products of natural habitats within the mountain plains of the Apennines range. Naturally, the garden is only open from May – October when the weather is enjoyable for a pleasant stroll or even a guided tour.
For ticket prices and hours, head to the official website.
Find The Fairytale Huts
The fairytale huts in Capracotta are somewhat of a mystery to people like us, who have yet to discover the reason behind them. They’re hard to miss, especially if you venture off on a walk or drive along the SP84. Made from a pile of branches, leaves, and wood, the huts can only be described as the perfect home for a mythical creature or perhaps a witch. The uncertainty behind why they exist is likely the reason we admire them so much.
Dine With a View at Ristorante Santa Lucia
Located in Hotel Monte Campo, their restaurant is not only for hotel guests, but one of the best places in Capracotta for a meal with a view. It tends to be more of a higher-end experience, but it’s the mesmerizing atmosphere that you’re really paying for here. The outdoor deck of the restaurant floats among the hills and overlooks the town of Capracotta below, whether you choose the tasting menu or a humble pizza.
Shop and Eat Local Cheese
Along with small grocery markets like Alti Sapori, you’ll also stumble upon various butcher and cheese shops which only sell local handmade products. Dairy production and therefore cheese, is a really big deal in the region of Molise. Thankfully, Capracotta is still home to a couple of generational farmers and cheese makers that still make traditional domestic products, none more famous than the caciocavallo. Along with pecorino di Capracotta, these are two products you cannot leave town without tasting.
The best cheese shop in Capracotta is Fratelli Pallotta, a family operation with a history of cheese making that stems from the 1600s.
Places to Visit Near Capracotta
Agnone
The town of Agnone will feel like a big city compared to Capracotta but it is one of the most interesting places in Molise worth visiting. Agnone is known for its art and culture but is most famous in Italy for manufacturing bells. Additionally, Agnone is renowned for its annual fire festival where hundreds of large wooden structures are lit on fire and paraded through the town at nightfall.
Archaeological Site of Vastogirardi
Leave it to Italy if you want to stumble upon ancient ruins by simply visiting a public park. Near the village of Vastogirardi, you’ll find remains of a Samnite era temple. The archaeological site has long been abandoned but is believed to be from the 2nd century BC. If you feel like venturing even further from Capracotta, you can also visit the similar Teatro Sannita Pietrabbondante which is a bit grander but from the same time period.
The Cascate Del Verrino Waterfall
To cool off on a summer day, set out on an adventure to find the Cascate Del Verrino waterfall within the valley. It’s a short trek down the hill before you reach a beautiful pool of ice-cold water and the tranquil sounds of rushing water.
The Scenic Village of Pescopennataro
Even smaller than the town of Capracotta is the neighbouring commune of Pescopennataro. It is about 1,200 metres above sea level and partially built into the side of a rugged cliff. From the edge of the village, there is a breathtaking and clear view of the Maiella mountain peak in the distance.
How to Visit Capracotta in Molise
By Plane
Capracotta has an advantageous location when it comes to its proximity to multiple airports. First, there is the option of flying into Rome International Airport which is just under 3 hours away from Capracotta. For international travelers, you’ll likely find the most number of well-connected flights into Rome since it’s a major airline hub. Along with many flight options, comes the benefit of lower priced flights.
Naples is also an efficient yet often overlooked option for international visitors. The Naples Airport is a shorter distance away from Capracotta and only a 2 hour drive.
Lastly, there is the Abruzzo Airport in the city of Pescara, which is on the east coast of Italy. Although the Abruzzo Airport is an international airport, it most efficiently serves flights from within Europe. It’s a fantastic option for travelers coming from major European cities and, more specifically, in the summer during the travel season. The Abruzzo Airport is small, which has many travel advantages such as quick and short queues.
🛫 Travel Hack: Browse for flights by using lesser known search engines like Kiwi.com or CheapOair. Prices are comparatively cheaper than by using big name websites!
By Train
If you’re travelling to Capracotta by train from Rome, Naples or the general west coast of Italy, you’ll want to utilize the Isernia train station. Isernia is the nearest train station to Capracotta and it’s possible to reach Isernia by train directly from Rome or Naples. Reaching Capracotta from Isernia is then easily manageable by a regularly scheduled bus route.
From the Napoli Centrale train station, you’ll hop on the regional train towards Isernia, which departs multiple times per day and only takes two hours. Departing Roma Termini station, the regional train to Isernia also takes just over two hours. Both routes should not exceed €15 per one-way.
To get to Capracotta from Isernia without driving, you must finish the journey by bus. In order to find the right bus, look for the route that heads to Pescopennataro and get off at the Capracotta stop in about 45 minutes. Public transportation connections to small towns in Molise and Isernia are very frequent and popular, primarily because people will regularly work and study in bigger cities like Isernia.
🚆Use Trainline to browse timetables and book train tickets to Isernia from Naples or Rome.
By Car
Unsurprisingly, driving to Capracotta in Molise will be the quickest and most direct form of transportation. If you are not driving your own car, opt for a rental car and set off on a road trip of the Italian countryside. Picking up a rental car from either Rome or Naples Airport makes the most sense if you’re flying into Italy.
Rental cars do not have to be expensive, especially if you book a compact vehicle, which happens to be the perfect size for touring the Italian countryside. Use Discover Cars to find the affordable small car for your road trip!
The town of Capracotta is a mountain town, which means it’s not a straight shot to get there. The drive to reach Capracotta is a combination of some major roads and a handful of curvy, narrow, country roads. For people who intend on visiting Capracotta in Molise during the winter season, expect the worst cold weather conditions because it’s better to be over-prepared than under.
Major roads leading up to Capracotta are well maintained, even during the snow season. However, you’ll want to avoid driving during heavy snowfalls because the plows typically don’t service roads until after it’s done snowing.
❆ In Italy, drivers are obligated to fit snow tires during the winter. People who are renting a car will have less to worry about because the rental car companies will only lend cars with snow tires already mounted from mid-November to mid-April.
Where to Stay Near Capracotta, Molise
Best 1-Bedroom Apartment
FINALMENTE A CASA
Best Historic Apartment
Borgo San Pietro
Best Countryside Side
Locanda Mammi
Best 2-Bedroom Apartment
Duplex Nuovo e Grazioso
💵 Use Trivago to quickly compare the best deals on hotels within 15 km of Capracotta.
Capracotta, Molise Travel Resources
TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA or VisitorsCoverage
FLIGHTS: Skyscanner, CheapOair or Kiwi.com
CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com
TRAINS, BUSES, FERRIES: Busbud, Trainline or Omio
ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago
ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo
TOURS & ACTIVITIES: GetYourGuide or Viator
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