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Grotto · Capri, Campânia
Grotta Azzurra
Sea cave on the northwest coast of Capri, where the light that enters from below the water paints the sea blue. The entrance is made by lying down in a small rowing boat.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Grotta Azzurra
The Grotta Azzurra is a cave opened by the sea in the limestone rock on the northwest coast of the island. The entrance is an opening about 2 metres wide and just over 1 metre high above the water. Sunlight enters through a larger, submerged opening, passes through the water and lights the interior in an intense blue.
In Roman times the grotto was a nymphaeum connected to an imperial villa, and statues of marine deities were found on the floor. It was forgotten for centuries and returned to fame in 1826 after the visit of the German writer August Kopisch.
The visit is made in small rowing boats for a few people. To pass through the entrance, passengers lie down on the bottom of the boat and the boatman pulls a chain attached to the rock. Inside, the trip is short, just a few minutes.
Everything depends on the sea: with waves, wind or high tide the entrance is closed, sometimes for several days in a row. The boat season is usually more regular from April to October; in winter closures are more frequent.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
The time spent inside the grotto is a few minutes, but the wait at sea for the small boats can exceed an hour in summer.
Best time
In the morning, when the sea is usually calmer and the queue smaller. The blue light is often strongest in the late morning and early afternoon. Check on the day whether the grotto is open.
How to get there
By motorboat from Marina Grande, with a transfer to the small rowing boat at the entrance. By land, a bus from Anacapri to the Grotta Azzurra point and stairs down to the boarding point for the small boats.
Tip
Confirm at the port whether the grotto is open before buying the tour. Bring small change for the boatman and the ticket. If you have back problems think carefully: you need to lie down in the boat.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Grotta Azzurra
Is the Grotta Azzurra open year-round?
Only when the sea allows. With waves, wind or high tide the entrance is closed. From April to October it usually opens more regularly; in winter closures are more frequent.
What is the entrance to the grotto like?
In small rowing boats. Passengers lie down in the bottom of the boat to pass through the low opening, and the boatman pulls on a chain attached to the rock.
Can you get there by land?
Yes. There is a bus from Anacapri to the Grotta Azzurra access point and a staircase down to the boarding spot. Entry to the grotto is always by small boat.
How long do you stay inside?
A few minutes. Wait times on the water can be much longer in summer.