Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra)

The basics

The Blue Grotto is a must when on a day trip from the Amalfi Coast, Naples, or Sorrento. You can reach the cave by water or land, but to enter, you must board an official rowboat. Wait times can last hours, though passengers of private boat tours often get preference. Prebook your Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) tours or transfers to avoid long lines. If you don’t want to go inside the grotto, you can also reserve a private boat tour around Capri and the Faraglioni rock formations.

Things to know before you go

• Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) tickets are sold at the floating ticket office near the entrance of the cave. Most boat tours include tickets.

• Due to the low cave entrance, the Blue Grotto is only open when weather conditions permit.

• You’ll have to wait to enter the cave aboard small, open-air rowboats, so bring a hat and sunblock.

• The journey to the Blue Grotto is not recommended for those who suffer from seasickness.

• Once inside the cave, many rowboat skippers will treat you to a serenade for a small tip.

How to get there

You can reach the Blue Grotto by sea from Marina Grande, Capri’s main port. To reach Capri, you can take a ferry from Naples, the nearest city on the mainland. You can also visit the Blue Grotto by land if your journey starts in the town of Anacapri, atop the island of Capri. Simply board the bus to Grotta Azzurra. You can purchase tickets in local shops or on board the bus. Once at the Grotta Azzura bus stop, follow the short walking trail to the entrance of the grotto where you can board a boat that will take you inside.

When to get there

The cave is most crowded in summer and in the midday hours. Visit first thing in the morning to avoid a long wait to enter. Note that the Blue Grotto is open only when sea conditions permit. When the waters are rough or there are high winds, the grotto is closed. Note: it may close with no advance warning.

Capri by land

The Blue Grotto can only be visited by sea, but the island of Capri has a number of attractions on land, as well. Take an island tour of Villa San Michele, with its sweeping views over the Mediterranean, the lush Gardens of Augustus (Giardini di Augusto), and the 14th-century Charterhouse of San Giacomo.

Ways to explore

The Blue Grotto is a must when on a day trip from the Amalfi Coast, Naples, or Sorrento. You can reach the floating ticket office near the entrance of the cave by water or land, but to head inside, you must board an official rowboat. Wait times can last hours, though passengers of private boat tours often get preference, and the cave may close without advance notice if the sea turns choppy. Prebook your Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) tour to secure your spot, especially in the busy summer months when tours sell out. If you don’t want to go inside the grotto, you can reserve a boat tour around Capri and the Faraglioni sea stacks that doesn’t include a stop at the cave.

Accessibility

Visitors must be able to board a small rowboat to enter the cave, so it is not accessible to wheelchair users.

Age limits

While there is no minimum age, the long wait and rowboats used to enter the Blue Grotto may be a challenge for younger children.

What to pack

Camera, sunscreen, waterproof bag

What to wear

Comfortable clothing, waterproof shoes, hat

Not allowed

Swimming inside the cave is illegal and dangerous.

Amenities

Rowboat access to the cave is included in the admission ticket.

Address 

You can reach the Blue Grotto by sea from Marina Grande, Capri’s main port, and from Italy’s mainland. You can also visit the Blue Grotto by land from the island town of Anacapri by taking a bus or taxi.

Driving

Non-resident cars are restricted on the island of Capri for most of the year, so plan to leave your car on the mainland and take a boat tour or public transportation to visit the Blue Grotto.

Public transportation

To reach Capri, take a ferry from Naples or Sorrento, the nearest cities on the mainland. Once you are at the Capri port, join a boat tour to the cave entrance or take a public bus or island taxi to reach the short walking trail to the grotto ticket office.

Best times to visit

The light is most dazzling inside the grotto at midday, but expect to wait up to two hours to enter during the busy summer months.

Best days to visit

Visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds; the wait time to enter the grotto hits its peak on the weekends and holidays.

Best months to visit

The grotto closes when the seas are rough, which happens often from late fall through spring. Visit during the summer months to maximize your chance of entering.