Blue Grotto, Capri (Grotta Azzurra): A Full Guide
If you’re visiting Capri soon, chances are you also have your eyes on the Blue Grotto (called Grotta Azzurra in Italian)- and you should! It’s one of the most iconic things to do in Capri.
This famous sea cave is an incredible natural landmark, best known for the striking blue glow that illuminates the cave.
In this article, you’ll find all the information you need to plan a perfect visit to the Blue Grotto, from how to get there to its opening hours, entry fees, and the reason why it glows in such a mesmerizing way.
Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra): A Quick Intro
The Blue Grotto is a sea cave near Capri, famous worldwide for its glowing electric-blue water.
The cave is about 60 meters long and roughly 25 meters wide, with an entrance only around 1 meter high. The bright blue color comes from sunlight entering through an underwater opening, which reflects off the white sandy bottom and illuminates the entire cave in a surreal, neon-blue glow.
This effect is completely natural and is what makes the Blue Grotto one of the most iconic experiences in Capri. It really is magical to see in person.
The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra in Italian) may feel like an Instagram-famous spot nowadays, but it’s actually been known since ancient times.
During the Roman period, it was used as a marine nymphaeum (a sort of sea temple or sanctuary), and Emperor Tiberius, who lived on Capri, had statues placed inside and used the cave as part of his villa complex.
Later, the cave was avoided for centuries. Local fishermen believed it was haunted by spirits and sea monsters, so no one entered until the 19th century, when it was “rediscovered” by German writer August Kopisch and became famous again.
Where Is the Blue Grotto Located?
The Blue Grotto is located just outside Anacapri, on the northwest coast of Capri Island. The sea cave is about 3.7 miles (6 km) from Capri town, and it’s only accessible by sea.
Opening Hours & Best Time to Visit
The Blue Grotto is open to visitors typically from April to October, though it depends on the weather. You could potentially also visit in the off-season if the conditions are good, but it’s not common.
Best time of day: Late morning (11 AM – 1 PM), when the light is brightest and the chances of seeing the blue glow are higher.
The grotto will be closed due to rough seas or high winds, and also after heavy rain, as it wouldn’t be safe to enter the cave. This picture above was taken on a day when the grotto was closed, you can barely see the entrance to the cave to the left of the staircase!
Blue Grotto Ticket Price
The ticket to enter the Blue Grotto costs €18 in total, though the price covers various fees:
- €6 for the Blue Grotto entrance fee
- €2 for the port tax
- €10 for the rowboat experience
This does NOT include the cost of whatever way you choose to get to the entrance of the cave (boat, bus, taxi). It is paid in cash directly at the entrance of the cave.
You’ll also notice that the sailors at the Blue Grotto are usually friendly and a bit cheeky, but they can be quite pushy when it comes to tips. It’s common to hear that there is a “minimum” tip of €10 per person, but this is not an official rule and it is not mandatory.
Tipping is up to you. if you enjoyed the experience and service, leave something you feel is fair, but do not feel pressured to pay a fixed amount just because someone says you have to.
What the Blue Grotto Experience Is Actually Like
No matter how you get there – by boat tour, private boat, or bus plus walk (more about that later (more about that later!)- everyone ends up in the same small waiting area outside the cave.
→ If you arrive by boat, you will wait just offshore with the other boats. Beware that the water is often choppy and you might wait on the boat for a long time, up to 2 hours in the summer. If you’re prone to sea sickness, take some Dramamine in advance!!
→ If you come by bus, you walk down to the small platform and wait there. In both cases, you buy or show your ticket, then wait until one of the tiny wooden rowboats is free.
Each rowboat fits up to four people plus the skipper. You climb in, usually sitting on the bottom of the boat or on a small cushion, and the skipper takes your ticket and rows you over to the cave mouth.
This is the “dramatic” part. The entrance is only about one meter high, so the skipper will tell everyone to lie down in the boat while he times the waves and pulls the boat through using a chain fixed to the rock.
It feels a bit intense for a second, especially if you do not like small spaces, but it is very quick.
Inside, your eyes need a moment to adjust. At first everything looks dark, then the water starts glowing this crazy electric blue and the whole cave lights up.
The skipper usually rows you around the small chamber, sometimes chatting or even singing, and you have a few minutes to take it all in (so take pictures fast!)
The visit inside the grotto is short, usually about five minutes. Then you go back out through the same low entrance, transfer back to your larger boat or walk back up from the platform, and you are done.
3 Ways to Visit the Blue Grotto, Capri
While you can only reach the cave by boat, there are three different ways you can visit, and we’ll go over each of them below. If you’re still planning your logistics for the day, see my guide on how to get around Capri.
Join a Boat Tour Around the Island (Most Popular)
The favorite way to visit the Blue Grotto is on a boat tour, which, besides taking you on a scenic cruise around the island, admiring its natural landmarks and cliffs from up close, includes a stop at the Blue Grotto.
Most tours depart from Capri Marina Grande, and at the entrance of the cave, you’ll transfer to a small rowboat of up to four passengers to access it.
You can get your tickets in Marina Grande, or else book a tour in advance.
⭐ My Top Pick: This Capri: Island Boat Trip with Grottos departs from Marina Grande and takes you around the beautiful island. You’ll get to see the Faraglioni Rocks, Punta Carena Lighthouse, and sail past the White and Green grottoes. You can opt to include a visit to the Blue Grotto and access the cave to see its famous glow. ➥ Check availability and prices
You can also join a boat tour that includes the trip to the Blue Grotto from other locations:
*Prices change often, so always double check before booking.
- From Sorrento: This Capri Blue Grotto Small Group Boat Day Tour starts with an early visit to Grotta Azzurra, getting you there before the crowds. After exploring the dazzling cave, you’ll cruise around Capri and spend a few hours exploring the island.
- From Positano / Amalfi Coast: This Day Trip to Capri – Group Tour by Boat takes you to all the main highlights in and around Capri, including the Faraglioni Rocks, the Natural Arch, and, for an extra fee, the famous Blue Grotto. You’ll also have time to swim in Marina Picola and enjoy a self-guided tour of the island.
- From Naples: The Capri and Blue Grotto Day Tour takes you zipping across the Bay of Naples on a scenic ride to Capri. You’ll stop at the Blue Grotto, where you’ll transfer to rowboats and explore the famous sea cave, then enjoy an island tour by minibus.
Pros of Booking a Boat Tour
✓ Super easy. The crew handles the timing, tickets, and the whole Blue Grotto process for you.
✓ The ride itself is beautiful, and you get to see Capri’s coastline, caves, and viewpoints along the way.
✓ You can find boat tours for all budgets; some are very affordable.
Cons of Booking a Boat Tour
✕ If the island is busy, you might still wait before entering the Grotto because access is limited.
✕ It costs more than showing up independently (although it’s still affordable)
✕ You will wait on the boat for possibly a long time so you might get seasick.
Get There by Bus + Walk
You can also visit the Blue Grotto on your own, and while it involves a bit of planning, it’s a very affordable option.
You’ll first take the public bus from Anacapri to the Grotta Azzurra stop. The bus leaves from Piazza della Pace, runs often in high season and costs €2.40 one way (€2.90 if purchased on the bus).
If you’re planning to use buses several times that day, you can also get the UNICO Capri day pass, which gives you unlimited rides on the island’s buses for a fixed price (€8.60 for a 24-hour period).
The journey time from Anacapri to Grotta Azzurra is around 15–20 minutes by bus. The bus runs every half hour from 6.30 AM to 10.30 PM.
From the bus stop, you’ll walk downhill for a couple of minutes to the ticket booth, where you’ll get your tickets to the grotto.
You’ll then hop on a rowboat that will take you to the Blue Grotto for the visit, though the waiting time can be long if it’s very busy. Most of the pictures in this post were taken on a rainy day in September during the pandemic, believe me when I say that the line is usually muuuuuuch longer.
Pros of Taking the Bus
✓ It’s the cheapest way to reach the Blue Grotto.
✓ Buses run often from Anacapri, so it’s easy to fit into your day.
✓ Good option if you don’t care about the coastal views and just want to get there.
✓ Ideal for those who get seasick.
Cons of Taking the Bus
✕ You miss the scenic coastline you’d get from a boat.
✕ Buses can get crowded in summer, especially mid-morning.
✕ You’ll still need to walk the last stretch down to the Grotto entrance.
✕ It takes more planning than a tour, since you handle everything on your own.
Visit on a Private Boat Tour
The most hassle-free, but also pricier, of the options is to book a private boat from Capri, Sorrento, or the Amalfi Coast.
You’ll sail to the entrance of the cave, and your captain will arrange the transfer to a rowboat so you can visit the Blue Grotto seamlessly.
The private tours often include drinks, swimming stops at prime locations, and a visit to other nearby sea caves, like the White and Green Grottoes.
*Prices are indicative and may change. Check your tour page for the most up to date rates.
⭐ My Top Pick: This Boat Tour in Capri, Italy is a private excursion for groups of up to 4. It takes you cruising around the island, getting close to its major natural attractions, and includes a visit to the iconic Blue Grotto. The itinerary is customizable, so you can tweak it to suit your schedule and interests. ➥ Check availability and prices
If you prefer to book a private boat tour with departure from another location, these are the best options:
- From Sorrento: This Island & Blue Cave Private Boat Tour from Sorrento to Capri takes your group of five on an 8-hour adventure. You’ll explore the mesmerizing Blue Grotto, cruise around the island of Capri, and disembark for a few hours of free time.
- From Positano/Amalfi: This Capri Private Boat Tour from Positano, Praiano or Amalfi accommodates up to 12 people. You’ll sail along the striking Amalfi Coast on your way to Capri, stopping for a visit at the Blue Grotto first (own expense). Cruise around the Faraglioni, spend some time on the island, and enjoy drinks and snacks back onboard.
Pros of a Private Boat Tour
✓ You have the boat all to yourself, which makes the whole experience feel much more special.
✓ The captain adjusts the timing to you, so you’re not rushed and can wait for a calmer moment to enter the Grotto.
✓ Great if you’re a larger group, a couple celebrating something, or you just want a more relaxed day at sea.
✓ You can combine the Grotto with extra swimming stops or other caves around Capri.
Cons of a Private Boat Tour
✕ It’s always the most expensive way to visit the Blue Grotto.
✕ You still depend on sea conditions. if the Grotto is closed, no private tour can change that.
✕ Not worth it if you only want a quick “in and out” visit and don’t care about the full boat experience.
Important Things to Know Before Going
▶️ The mouth of the cave is very small, only a meter high, so you MUST lie down in the rowboat to access it. It’s only at the entrance, but something to consider if you have claustrophobia, don’t particularly like small places, or have mobility issues.
▶️ Closures are frequent due to sea conditions, so always ask what the current state is before going.
▶️ You can’t enter alone. A licensed rowboat guide is mandatory, so there’s no other way to visit the grotto.
▶️ Unless entry to the sea cave is included in your tour (which usually isn’t) you need to pay for the entrance on-site and in cash. Make sure to have euros on you when you go.
▶️ Tours don’t guarantee entrance to the Blue Grotto, even if it’s included in the itinerary, as the visit is strictly dependant on the weather.
▶️ You’ll spend no longer than five minutes inside the Blue Grotto! The cave is small, and the only thing to see there is the blue glow, so the rowboats take you in, allow a few minutes to admire it, then row back out.
▶️ You can’t swim inside the grotto. The sea cave is protected, and it’s not allowed to get in the water.
Should You Book in Advance?
Private tours: YES, especially in summer when they’re very popular, and can sell out.
Regular boat tours: It helps to book in advance, so you ensure your spot, but walk-ins are often possible, especially if you’re just one or two people.
DIY via bus: No booking needed if you plan on visiting on your own. Just walk to the ticket booth, where you’ll meet the rowboat skippers that will take you to the cave.
Is Visiting the Blue Grotto Worth It?
The Blue Grotto is a very famous attraction, and for a good reason. The unique blue glow it emits is truly magical, and it’s unlikely you’ll experience it anywhere else. The grotto itself is, in my opinion, very much worth it.
However, the experience is not entirely flawless or, at times, enjoyable. In the high season, people sometimes wait over an hour for their turn to enter the Blue Grotto, because it gets so busy.
It can also happen that you get to the cave, or even wait there for a while, and visits get canceled due to the weather or sea conditions, which can be pretty disappointing.
The mesmerizing glow, which is caused by sunlight filtering in, also needs the proper conditions to happen. All in all, it’s a beautiful experience to have, but not guaranteed.
If the Blue Grotto is closed, there are a few other sea caves you can check out. Grotta Verde and Grotta Bianca are scenic alternatives located nearby, and there’s also Grotta Smeraldo (Emerald Grotto), a beautiful grotto on the Amalfi Coast.