Blue Grotto, Capri, Italy - Relaxing boat tour. Grotto Azzurra

The Blue Grotto (Grotto Azzura in Italian) is Capri’s jewel in the crown. This legendary sea cave was once the Roman Emperor Tiberius’ private swimming pool. Bathed in an ethereal blue light it is your must see place to visit on the island.

Thinking of visiting the Grotto on a visit to Capri to see the natural phenomenon for yourself or just fancy watching a tranquil, relaxing boat ride, whichever I hope you enjoy the film.

How to get there: The Grotto is located on the north west coast of the island. If you don’t have a car you can either take a boat from Marina Grande or travel there by bus.

A boat tour from Marina Grande will cost you about 26 euros, comprising the trip to the cave, the rowing boat that takes you into the cave and your entrance fee. Allow about an hour and a half. At peak times there can be quite a line to enter the cave. There are various boat tours including a tour around the island.

Alternatively you can travel there by bus. Buses run from the port Marina Grande to Capri or Anacapri. The bus from Marina Grande to Anacapri takes about 20 minutes and 15 minutes from there to the Grotto. Or why not take the funicular up to Capri and catch the bus from there. The ticket office is to the right as you get off the ferry. A day pass “unico Capri” costs 6.90 euros and covers all your island travel except the Monte Solaro cable car. Take the bus to Anacapri, change then take the bus to the Blue Grotto, you can’t miss it as it is the last stop. Walk down the stairs and wait for your rowing boat. If you travel by bus you wont have to hang around waiting for the rest of your party to go into the grotto.

Once you have enjoyed the grotto take some refreshments at the kiosk up above the grotto before taking the bus back to Capri or Anacapri to carry on your sightseeing.

Tips:
Best light is apparently noon until 2pm. Queues reduce after 3pm but the sea can get rougher and sometimes is too rough to enter. Go early to avoid the lines.

You will need to climb into a row boat. Each rowing boat only holds 3 passengers and the oarsman. You buy your entrance ticket at a floating ticket office first, no credit cards accepted so have enough cash. Be prepared to enter the cave you will need to lie down flat in the boat, the boatman will then pull the boat into the narrow opening of the cave with a chain. It’s a tight squeeze.

The rowing boat costs 13 euros each, which includes the 4 euro entrance fee and don’t forget to tip your guide, be prepared for 5 – 10 euros, it will make him happy.

Money saving tip:
Entrance to the Grotto is free on the first Sunday of every month.

The History Bit:
The cave was discovered by the Romans and used by Emperor Tiberius’ as a private bathing pool and temple. A number of statues have been found in the cave and some are still believed to be lying at the bottom of the cave. The cave became abandoned as locals feared it was inhabited by spirits until it was rediscovered in 1826 and popularised by the writer August Lopisch and painter Ernst Fries.

The Science Bit:
Why does the water inside the cave appear to be bathed in an ethereal blue light?
There are actually two entrance holes into the cave, one directly below the other. The small top hole is the boat entrance to the cave. The lower hole is below the line of the water allows light into the cave which lights up the bottom of the cave, but filters out all but the blue light giving the water it’s brilliant emerald blue colour.

Other places to visit on Capri:
Monte Solaro chairlift
   • Capri Chairlift to Monte Solaro -Anacapri,...  

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Music credits:

Nice And Easy by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
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Running Waters by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
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Sidewalk by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
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MrFord4210 Intro:
Music used: Lock & Load by Jens Kiilstofte
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