Blue Grotto, Capri: 2026 opening hours, tickets, how to get there and when it's closed
The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) is the sea cave in Anacapri where the water glows blue: you go in lying down in a small rowing boat, for about 5 minutes. It costs €18 for entry and boat, and it is closed when the sea is rough.
At a glance
- Opening hours
- April–September 8:30–18:00; 1–15 October 8:30–16:00; 16 October to 31 March 9:00–14:00
- Ticket
- Entry €6 plus rowing boat €12; entry free under 18
- When it's closed
- In rough seas or wind: opening is decided day by day
- Getting there
- Boat from Marina Grande, or the Anacapri–Grotta Azzurra bus and steps
- Time needed
- 5 minutes inside; up to 1 hour of waiting in the middle of the day
- Booking
- Entry online at coopculture.it, limited places
What to see
- The entrance: a hole in the rock about 1 metre high. You lie down in the bottom of the boat and the boatman pulls you in along a chain.
- The light: inside, the water looks lit from below. It is sunlight passing under the rock and rising up from the seabed.
- The Roman nymphaeum: in imperial times the cave was decorated with statues, now kept at the Certosa di San Giacomo.
The visit lasts a few minutes, often with a song from the boatman. The price is fixed: €6 state entry and €12 for the rowing boat. Tipping is not compulsory.
How long
- Inside: about 5 minutes.
- Queuing: in the middle of a summer day, even more than 1 hour, waiting in a boat outside the entrance.
- With the transfer from Marina Grande: allow 2 hours in all.
The sea decides everything. With waves or a north wind the boats cannot get through and the grotto stays closed, even in high summer. In winter it closes often.
Tip: go at opening time or late in the afternoon, and ask at the harbour whether it is open before buying the transfer. Have a plan B: Villa San Michele or Monte Solaro.
Getting there
- By boat from Marina Grande: motorboats take you to the grotto, where you switch to the rowing boat. The transfer is paid separately.
- Overland from Anacapri: the Anacapri–Grotta Azzurra bus (€2.50), then a flight of steps down to where the rowing boats leave. You save the transfer.
- On a boat trip around the island: some boats stop at the grotto, but the stop is not always guaranteed.
On the first Sunday of the month the state entry is free, the rowing boat is not. The €15 combined ticket (1 March to 1 October) covers the grotto, Villa Jovis, the Certosa and the Casa Rossa, again without the rowing boat.
More Capri guides
- Capri: the complete guidewhat to see and what it costs
- Anacapri and Monte Solaro10 minutes by bus from the grotto
- Getting around Capribuses, boats and taxis
- Capri in one daywith the grotto in the morning
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Blue Grotto cost?
€18 per person: €6 state entry and €12 for the rowing boat. The boat transfer from Marina Grande is paid separately; from Anacapri you can get there by bus.
Why is the Blue Grotto sometimes closed?
The entrance is about one metre high: with waves or wind the small boats cannot get through safely. Whether it opens is decided every morning according to the sea.
Who discovered the Blue Grotto?
It was known to the Romans, who turned it into a nymphaeum. It was rediscovered in 1826 by the German poet August Kopisch and the painter Ernst Fries, and from then on it became a destination for Romantic travellers. 2026 marks its bicentenary.
What is the best time to visit the Blue Grotto?
At opening time or late in the afternoon, to avoid the midday queue. With the sun high the light is intense, but the wait is longer.
Can you swim in the Blue Grotto?
Not during visiting hours: you can only go in on the authorised boats.
Where to stay in Capri
11 places to stay in Capri on Napolibnb.it, the Naples holiday-rental portal: you contact the host directly, with no booking fees. Every listing shows its official CIN code.
