The Blue Grotto is a famous cave located in the sea cliffs on Italy’s island of Capri. The entrance is accessible only by rowboat, as the interior is flooded with the waters from the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Blue Grotto, however, is most famous for the dazzling, electric blue light that cascades around the cavern.
The grotto was originally a personal bathing site for Roman Emperor Tiberius nearly 2,000 years ago. Today, you can still see ornate statues and decor at the bottom of the waters.
The Blue Grotto is one of the most well-visited landmarks in Southern Italy, attracting hundreds of visitors per day. If you are visiting the island, then the Blue Grotto is a must.
Below is my ultimate guide for visiting the sapphire cave!
Accessing the Blue Grotto, Capri
Where is the Blue Grotto, and how do I enter?
The Blue Grotto is located on the island of Capri in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The island is found in the Bay of Naples, and can be easily accessed by ferry from Naples or Sorrento.
If you are on the island of Capri, there are several ways to access the Blue Grotto.
- Visiting by foot – The Grotto is accessible by foot. If you are up for a hike, then you can make your way to the North side of the island, and climb down the stairs to the entrance. Here, you will find a queue of rowboats that will take you out into the water.
- Visiting by bus – If you are staying in Anacapri, then you can hop on the bus at Piazza Cimitero. The Blue Grotto is the final stop on the line, and all you will have to do from there is climb down the stairs.
- Visiting by boat tour – The most popular way to access the Blue Grotto is as part of a larger boat tour of the island of Capri. Capri offers a slew of boat tours, each offering their own unique experiences. However, nearly all of them will include a stop off at the Blue Grotto. You can find more information about boat tours here.
My friends and I opted to tour around on a small, private boat for the day at 30 Euros per person. Overall, it made for one of the most memorable day trips I have ever had the pleasure of embarking on. I highly recommend booking a boat tour when you check off your Blue Grotto bucket list.
When is the Blue Grotto open?
The Blue Grotto is open year round from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The only notable closures are Christmas Day (December 25th) and New Years Day (January 1). The Blue Grotto’s accessibility is directly correlated to the tide.
There are days when the entrance might not be reachable due to high waters or winds. In these instances, the Grotto will close until conditions improve. These closures most often happen in the winter months between November and March.
When is the best time to visit?
The best time to visit the Blue Grotto is in the early afternoon when the sun is the brightest. Anywhere from 1-4pm is a great time to visit. But 2pm tends to offer the best direct sunlight. Obviously, the experience is far better on a sunny day, so see if you can select a day with few clouds.
In the summer months (June to August), the lines for the Blue Grotto are much longer. Sometimes, visitors wait up to an hour just to enter. In my experience, the wait wasn’t terrible. But just take that into account when you are planning your itinerary for the day.
In the winter months (November to March), the chance of inclement weather is much higher. The Blue Grotto may close on short notice due to high tides or choppy waters. If you are serious about visiting, I would add on a few buffer days to better your chances.
Can you swim in the Blue Grotto?
Unfortunately, swimming in the Blue Grotto is strictly forbidden. This is mainly due to the unpredictable high tides in the area. A swimmer could easily be slammed into the jagged rocks of the cave. The opening to the cave is very narrow, and even a seemingly small wave could do some damage.
That said, I have heard of people sneaking into the cave after the tour boats leave for the day. I also know that some people are allowed to take a quick dip once they enter the cave via rowboat. I would just encourage exercising caution here.
Visiting the Blue Grotto, Capri
How much does the Blue Grotto cost?
The Blue Grotto costs 14 Euros (around $16 USD) to enter. The cost is 10 Euros for the rowboat, and 4 Euros for the entrance fee. I recommend adding a few extra Euros to tip your rowboat guide as well.
Children under the age of 6 enter for free, and visitors from the European Union receive a discount. For an EU citizen, the cost will be 10-12 Euros depending on age.
There is a floating ticket “office” (boat) right outside the entrance to the Blue Grotto. Tickets are purchased right at the entrance – so make sure you have the cash in Euros to pay for your entrance fee.
Is the Blue Grotto worth it?
If you are heading to Southern Italy and planning to take a day trip to the island of Capri, then a visit to the Blue Grotto is absolutely worth adding to your list. One of the very best activities in Capri is a boat tour of the island, which typically includes a stop-over to the Blue Grotto.
The Blue Grotto is such a remarkable and magically unique site. Although the actual tour inside the cave lasts only around 5 minutes, you will not walk away disappointed.
What do you bring with you?
Visiting the Blue Grotto happens entirely by boat. No special gear or dress code is required. That said, you will most likely be waiting in a queue for some time to enter. It can be quite hot, with minimal shade. With that in mind, here are a few things I would recommend packing:
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Quick dry clothing (shorts and a top, sundress)
- Bathing suit (Although you will not be swimming in the Grotto, I still recommend bringing a bathing suit for before or after the cave tour)
- Waterproof shoes
- Sun hat
- Water
- Phone and/or camera
- Enough Euros in cash to pay for your entrance fees
Many people visit the Blue Grotto as part of a larger boat tour around the island. If that is the case, I would absolutely make sure to have a bathing suit at hand.
What makes the Blue Grotto Glow?
The light is caused by a combination of the depth of the water in the cave, and the sunlight peeping in through the entrance. The grotto has a second, underwater entrance located just below the mouth of the cave where the boats enter. Sunlight reflects down through this secondary hole, and angles up into the grotto. Because only blue light is absorbed, the waters turn a deep sapphire. This, combined with the direct sunlight coming through the entrance gives the interior of the grotto its majestic glow.
The Blue Grotto has one other mystery. Objects in the water appear to shimmer like silver diamonds. This is another byproduct of light refraction. The “shimmering diamonds” are actually tiny little bubbles that form on every submerged item in the Blue Grotto. On a clear day, you can see the statues at the bottom of the pool glistening in the light. Alternatively, if you stick your hand in the water, you can see it shimmer as the bubbles start to form.
That’s all, folks!
If you are heading to the Isle of Capri, then visiting the Blue Grotto is an absolute must. The electric blue light, to this day, remains one of the most amazing sites I have witnessed. And for only $14 Euros total? An absolute steal.
Have you visited the Blue Grotto in Capri? Drop a comment below to share your experience!
Check out my Top 10 Things to Do in Capri guide for more inspiration!
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