Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra), Capri in Italy 2025

The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) is a well-known hotspot located on Capri Island. This natural cavern is 196 feet long (60 m) and 82 feet (25 m) wide. The entrance to the cave looks like a small mouth, and you must lie down on the wooden rowboat to get inside. However, the sight inside is worth all the effort, with beautiful, vibrant blue waters providing a mesmerizing sight. The sunlight passes through the underwater cave and glistens in the sea water, giving it a fantastic blue reflection!

Best Time to Visit Blue Grotto

Although the Blue Grotto may be visited all year round if the weather is mild, it's often closed to visitors between November and the beginning of March. This is because heavy rain and rough seas make this area too dangerous to reach. Additionally, its signature blue reflections won't be as visible on a cloudy or rainy day. The grotto usually remains closed for two days after bad weather or severe tide conditions. Therefore, the best season is mid-March to October. The high season begins in the summertime, with waiting times sometimes reaching more than one hour.

The best time of the day to take in excellent views and the unbelievably intense color of the water is early in the morning or at 2 pm when the light is much stronger. The waiting times are relatively shorter in the late afternoon, after approximately 3 pm, but strong wind often picks up during this time, when the grotto has to close. Note that swimming is not allowed and even considered dangerous when visiting the Blue Grotto! Once you swim inside, the high waves might overtake you and crash you against the wall of the cave.

Where Is Blue Grotto Located

Blue Grotto is situated in southern Italy, on the picturesque island of Capri. Boasting numerous natural attractions, like Faraglioni Rocks and Monte Solaro, Capri is also a premier destination for boating, shopping sprees, and top-notch Italian cuisine. The island can be explored through numerous hiking trails.

Transportation

If you're staying on the island Capri, specifically in the Anacapri area, getting to the grotto is extremely easy–just head to the center, then walk along Via Pagliaro and continue down Via Grotta Azzurra. You can also hop on a bus from Piazza della Pace. If you're in the Marina Grande area, head to the port and purchase a ticket for the tour from Motoscafisti or Laser Capri tour operators. One of the stops on their tours is the iconic Blue Grotto.

Traveler's Tips

We spoke to Reika, a seasoned traveler who visited the Blue Grotto in the summer of 2021, and she kindly shared her insights on her trip to this magical location. She recommends visiting in the morning when the sunlight enhances the view. If you're prone to motion sickness, Reika suggests opting for the bus instead of a boat tour, especially because of the long waiting times.

The boats transporting you to the Blue Grotto can only fit four people, which leaves very few options for seating–Reika, for example, had to sit backward during her visit, which wasn't ideal. However, since during the Covid period, Blue Grotto saw fewer tourists than usual, she was able to rejoin the line and secure a front-facing seat. If you'd like to take pictures while in the grotto, a front-facing seat is a much better option.

When it comes to shoewear, Reika also advises against wearing sandals or flip-flops, as they can be slippery when moving to small boats. Sneakers or non-heeled shoes that can get wet are a much safer choice.

Cost & Tickets

You can purchase tickets to the Blue Grotto on-site at the floating ticket office. Tickets to the landmark cost around €18, €11 of which are for the rowboat. Children under six years old can enter for free, while youth under 18 years old from the European Union can get a discount and only have to pay €11 for a rowboat. European Union citizens aged 18 to 25 are eligible for a 50% discount on the entry ticket, reducing the price to €15. Additionally, the boatmen might ask for a tip of around €10, but it's not compulsory and is completely up to you.