Grotta Azzurra - Capri's Blue Grotto - Yes, It IS Worth It

The Blue Grotto (“Grotta Azzurra”) is a famous sea cave located in the island of Capri, Italy. It is known worldwide as a must-see attraction due to its enchanting phosphorescent blue waters and ancient history. However, lines tend to be long, especially during high season.

I was in Naples and had planned to go see the Blue Grotto. I went with my 10-year-old son and a good friend. We knew about the long lines and I was prepared to wait maybe a little over an hour to see the Grotto, but no more than that. If it turned into a longer wait, I was ready to pass.

It must be noted that there are other caves in the area, including the Green Grotto.

I strongly suggest taking the ferry from Naples early in the morning to Capri. We left Naples at 8:30am. Once in Capri, you can book another boat to take you to the cave, however, I chose to take a taxi cab to the location and try to beat the early boats. This decision proved crucial. Our cab driver, Claudio, drove us to the Blue Grotto location and there were (alas!) only ten people in line ahead of us. I must note that this is not the norm (especially in the summer when we visited) and we truly lucked out.

You take the steps down to the water and wait in line to get on one of the many small row boats that take visitors into the cave. Pay the fee and off you go. Tipping afterwards is a must. The entrance to the Blue Grotto is small and narrow and you will have to lie on your back as the boat driver sails into the cave. Inside, you will see what you have been waiting for: the bluest water, an amazing and beautiful sight inside this historical cave that dates back to Roman times. The boat drivers sing in Italian as they sail around inside the cave.

Some people will say that visiting the Blue Grotto is a not worth it because of the lines, the boat drivers (who can be pushy about tipping-please see my previous note about tipping) and so forth. I will say this: it was worth it, it was beautiful and exactly what I had expected. I do highly recommend getting there as early as possible and taking the taxi cab to the location. We ended up renting the taxi for the entire day and it was the best decision we made. Claudio drove us all over Capri and Anacapri, told us where to shop, where to eat (go to Da Giorgio-killer views, great food and atmosphere), etc. And he was right on point each time. Also, we skipped the funicular (avoided the long lines there too) as we were able to enjoy all the majestic views right from our gorgeous open-air cab.

We visited in July and it was very hot so make sure to wear a hat, comfortable clothing and shoes, bring some sunscreen and stay hydrated.

Happy Travels!

Mariela