The Grotta Azzurra, known in English as the Blue Grotto, is a sea cave on the northwestern coast of Capri, in the Bay of Naples. It lies in the municipality of Anacapri, and its address is given as 80071 Anacapri, NA, Italy.
The cave is known above all for its light. Sunlight enters through an underwater opening and passes through the water, which fills the cavern with an intense azure blue. The effect is the reason most visitors come, and it is the feature the cave is remembered for.
What a visit is like
Because the cave is a sea cave on a coastline, a trip there is part of a day on the water. Visitors reach it by boat from the coast of Capri, and the approach along the rocky shore is part of the experience. The grotto itself is a closed, enclosed space, so the visit is more about watching the changing blue than about walking through rooms.
- Best suited to visitors who want a striking natural sight rather than a built attraction
- Best suited to those comfortable with a short trip by boat
- Often combined with a wider look at the island's coastline
The area around it
The grotto is a major tourist attraction and has drawn visitors since the 19th century, so it is well established as a stop on Capri. It sits within Anacapri, the island's upper town, where visitors can also spend time, and the island's coast and viewpoints offer a natural counterpart to the cave.
For anyone deciding whether to go, the Blue Grotto is a simple recommendation for those visiting Capri who want to see one of the island's best-known natural sights. Check current conditions for your visit before you set out.