Blue Grotto, Sea cave in Anacapri, Italy
The Blue Grotto is a sea cave located off the coast of Capri, with an entrance measuring just 2 meters (6 feet) wide and 1 meter (3 feet) high. Inside lies a natural chamber roughly 56 meters (184 feet) long and 30 meters (98 feet) wide.
Roman citizens visited this cave during Emperor Tiberius' reign, leaving behind statues of their deities that archaeologists later discovered inside. The site fell into obscurity until 1826, when a German writer and painter brought it back to public knowledge.
The grotto takes its name from the intense blue light that fills the cave, created by seawater filtering through an underwater opening. People visit to experience this natural phenomenon firsthand, making it a place that draws attention from across the world.
Reaching the grotto requires transferring to small rowboats and lying flat to squeeze through the narrow entrance when sea conditions allow it. Be prepared to wait for calm water and bring flexibility to your plans, since waves and wind can make access impossible.
The blue hue comes from sunlight passing through an underwater opening and reflecting off the water's surface, bathing the entire space in silvery-blue light. This optical effect shifts throughout the day and with changing water levels, making each visit slightly different.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
This collection presents extraordinary natural phenomena and geological formations across all continents, from salt flats and volcanic crater fields to underground cave systems and landscapes shaped by mineral deposits. The featured sites display rare geological processes: moving stones leave...
Villa San Michele
1.7 km
Via Krupp
3.5 km
Gardens of Augustus
3.5 km
Monte Solaro
2.3 km
Phoenician Steps
2 km
Capri funicular
3.1 km
Arco Naturale
4.4 km
Castello Barbarossa
1.9 km
Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo
1.2 km
Santo Stefano
3.4 km
Grotta Verde
2.7 km
Grotta di Matromania
4.1 km
Grotta delle Felci
2.8 km
Chiesa di Santa Sofia
1.2 km
Chiesa di San Costanzo
2.9 km
Eremo di Santa Maria a Cetrella
2.5 km
La Fontelina
4.3 km
L'Approdo 1980
3.1 km
Certosa di San Giacomo
3.6 km
Punta Carena Lighthouse
2.8 km
Villa Damecuta
1.1 km
Casa Rossa
1.3 km
Fortino di Punta Carena
2.8 km
Fortino di Orrigo
769 m
Spazio Cerio (Capri, Italy)
3.6 km
Fortino di Mesola
1.5 km
Faraglioni
4.3 km
War memorial in Capri
3.3 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes