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The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) is a well-known sea-cave on the island of Capri (map), Italy. It’s a bit of a squeeze getting into the cave as the entrance from the sea is narrow and low. Visitors have to lie flat in the boat as the boatman pulls the boat through the small channel. The cave itself is rather small, with the remains of an ancient Roman ‘jetty’ in a far corner. Sunlight shines through the narrow channel and is then reflected by the sandy bottom to create an ethereal blue illumination. The blue light is simply magical, however, visitors have to wait their turns outside the cave (and it can be a long wait), then pay EUR 10.50 for a 5-minute whizz around the cave while the boatman sings ‘Volare’. Charming.

The Blue Grotto, Capri

There are regular boat tours to the Blue Grotto. The cave can easily be visited as part of a day trip to Capri.

Read other articles on my  trip to the Amalfi coast:

 

18 Responses

  • […] the accompanying post: ‘The Blue Grotto, Capri‘. Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 Europe TAGS: Italy, […]

  • Visiting The Blue Grotto looks like quite a magical experience. I hope I get there one day to check it out, with my camera of course. Ciao =)

  • What a gorgeous photo.

    I had one of the best weekends of my life in Capri — such a magical, magical, place — but I was sadly unable to go into the Blue Grotto due to choppy seas!

    Devastating. At least it means that I MUST return someday.

  • I think some places just MUST be seen whether touristy or tourist trap or not … and the Blue Grotto is one of those MUST SEE places. Glad you went and even more glad you shared. 🙂

  • If you look closely enough at this picture – the mythical creature of the grotto can be seen – see the head, upper toros, arms, and a left leg – as if he/she is lying back – floating on the water! Great post! 🙂

  • Ciao Keith!
    It’s great to see your posts on the Amalfi Coast coming! 🙂 I’ve been to Capri many times, but I’ve yet to visit the Blue Grotto. Yes, I know it is a touristy spot, but I still want to go. It is such a myth here, and something I want to experience myself at least once. Thanks for sharing & I look forward to your upcoming Amalfi Coast stories!
    Ciao ciao,
    Laura

  • That looks so gorgeous, a definite on my list now when I make it back to Italy – the water is just unreal 🙂

  • Keith:

    I agree about the organized entry into the Blue Grotto. But last year, after our taxi driver’s brakes failed I learned the secret of really enjoying the experience. I won’t post my blog link here, but if you follow my tweets, a few days ago I posted “The Secrets of the Blue Grotto” on this very subject.

    Hope you had a wonderful time, and thanks for sharing a great photo. And visit La Tagliata Tuesday night above Positano in Montepertuso for great live music, good food, and dancing on the tables. Tell Pepino I sent you!

  • Looks beautiful Keith, thanks for sharing. It’s been a while since I was in Capri, and I didn’t visit this spot (yet 😉 Looking forward to more posts on your Italy trip!

  • Great post! That looks like an amazing spot… I will definitely have to check this out when I’m in Italy… thanks for posting!

  • Hi Lisa,
    Thanks for your comment. It is a magical spot but I kind of left it in the middle whether it’s worth all the trouble and the price for 5 minutes. My friends and I felt it was a tourist trap but we spoke to several others who absolutely loved it so my advice to everyone is, go there and find out for yourself! 🙂

    Cheers,
    Keith

  • Keith it is well worth the admission fee and the 3 boat rides to get there. True, I wish I could’ve spent longer than a shutter click on the camera to really appreciate the natural wonder but the boats were stacking up in the cave like 727s at Newark Airport at rush hour. Don’t miss it if you are on or near Capri.

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