The Amalfi Coast is a mosaic of cliffs, hilltop villages, sea view terraces and tiny coves carved into the rock. But there is a hidden treasure that often fascinates even more than the views: its sea caves, natural cavities lit up by reflections ranging from deep green to electric blue. Visiting these grottos lets you experience the coast from a completely different angle – slower, more intimate and deeply sensorial.
This guide gives you a complete overview of the main Amalfi Coast caves and Capri grottos, with reliable information on how to reach them, which transports to use, the best times to go and clear answers to the most frequent questions. It’s especially useful if you’re staying in a holiday home in Sorrento or Positano and want to plan an itinerary that combines sea, landscape and special little moments.
Green Grotto: the natural pool between Capri and the coast
The Green Grotto is one of the most scenic sea caves around the island of Capri. Its name comes from the colour of the water, a bright green created by the sunlight filtering under the rocks. The inside is wide, quiet and perfect for a magical swim in the morning hours, when the sea is usually calmer.
How to get there: if you are staying in Sorrento, you can reach it by ferry or with dedicated boat tours. From Positano, several daily boats leave in the summer season. It’s an ideal stop to combine with other grottos or with a slow day at sea. To understand how to move between the main towns, you can check the guide how to get from Positano to Sorrento.
Emerald Grotto: the glowing cathedral in Conca dei Marini
The Emerald Grotto is one of the gems of the Amalfi Coast, located between Amalfi and Praiano, in the area of Conca dei Marini. The water turns an intense emerald green thanks to a unique play of light refractions that fills the cave and makes it look like an underwater cathedral.
How to access the Emerald Grotto: you can enter via elevator or stairs from the parking area above, or by sea with small local boats. It’s also suitable for families, because the access itself doesn’t require any physical effort.
How to get to the Emerald Grotto from Amalfi: you can use the SITA bus towards Positano, a taxi boat from the harbour or a private car (parking is limited along the coastal road). If you prefer not to worry about driving and parking, you can plan your transfers using the tips in the guide how to get to Positano and Sorrento.
Blue Grotto: Capri’s iconic blue light
The Blue Grotto is the absolute symbol of Capri, famous all over the world for its electric blue light. The colour comes from a submerged opening that reflects the sunlight from below, turning the whole cave into a glowing, surreal chamber. Each visit only lasts a few minutes, but the memory usually stays with you for years.
How to enter the Blue Grotto: access is only allowed with small rowing boats operated by authorised boatmen. You pay an entrance ticket directly at the cave.
How to get to the Blue Grotto on foot: from Anacapri, follow Via Grotta Azzurra down to the panoramic path that leads to the small landing area. From there you board the rowboats used for the short visit inside the cave.
How to know if the Blue Grotto is open: it depends entirely on the sea conditions. The status is updated during the day by the harbour authority and the local boatmen. If there is wind, swell or strong waves, the entrance is closed for safety reasons.
White Grotto: pale rock and natural columns
Less famous than the Blue Grotto but equally fascinating, the White Grotto is characterised by its pale rock and the stalactites and columns hanging from the ceiling. It lies along the classic boat route around the island and is usually included as one of the main stops on Capri sea tours.
How to reach it: only by sea, with private boats or organised tours. It’s perfect to combine with the Green Grotto, the Faraglioni rocks and, when conditions allow it, the Blue Grotto, all in one full day at sea.
How to visit the grottos: boats, buses, taxi boats and practical tips
Seeing these Amalfi Coast caves and Capri grottos from the sea is by far the most comfortable and scenic option. It allows you to get close to the entrances, avoid parking problems and enjoy the coastline from the water. From Sorrento, Capri can be reached in a short time by fast ferries or private tours, while from Positano taxi boats and daily excursions are ideal to reach Conca dei Marini, Amalfi and the areas near the Emerald Grotto.
If you are staying in Sorrento, you can also rely on private transfers, especially if you want to combine the visit to the grottos with a romantic boat tour, a special dinner or an evening return without stress. For inspiration on how to turn a simple day at sea into a memorable moment as a couple, you can take a look at the guide marriage proposal in Sorrento and Positano, which includes several ideas that work perfectly together with sea experiences.
Visiting the Amalfi Coast caves with Eden House services
Many travellers who choose to stay in Sorrento or Positano want to explore the most famous grottos without having to worry about timetables, parking, traffic or ticket lines. This is exactly where the tailor-made services offered by Eden House can make a big difference, turning a simple boat trip into a smooth, well-organised experience. Guests often decide to combine visits to the Emerald Grotto, the Blue Grotto or the coves of Massa Lubrense with private transfers and custom boat tours.
If you prefer to reach Amalfi or Positano without stress, you can rely on the private transfers arranged by the Eden House team, ideal to avoid limited parking spaces and the summer traffic along the coastal road. This service allows you to travel with a dedicated driver, leave at the most convenient time and arrive directly at the best embarkation points. You can find all the options on the page transfers and excursions.
Many guests also choose private boat tours, perfect to reach the caves in a more exclusive and less crowded way. From the harbour of Sorrento or from the small piers of Massa Lubrense you can organise bespoke excursions that include swim stops, visits to more than one grotto in the same day and even an aperitivo on board. Those staying in the properties of Eden House often combine a day at sea with a romantic dinner back at their villa or apartment – a beautiful way to experience the coast both from the water and on land. You can find all the possibilities in the section Eden House services.
For travellers who prefer to move more independently but with a bit of help, Eden House can also assist with the booking of taxi boats, an ideal option to reach coves and grottos quickly, especially during high season when road traffic can be heavy. With the support of the staff, you can reserve your boat in advance and choose the quietest time slots.
With the help of the team, every detail can be personalised: from the best hours to avoid crowds to assistance with tickets, transfers and reservations. For any questions or special requests, you can refer to the page contact us and plan a fully tailor-made grotto itinerary along the Amalfi Coast.
FAQ – Amalfi Coast Caves and Capri Grottos
How can I visit the Emerald Grotto?
You can access it by sea with local boats or via elevator from the parking area above Conca dei Marini.
How do I know if the Blue Grotto is open?
It depends on sea conditions. The status is updated by the harbour authorities and local boatmen. If there are waves or strong winds, the cave is closed for safety reasons.
Can I walk down to the Blue Grotto?
Yes. From Anacapri you can walk along Via Grotta Azzurra down to the small landing area, where you board the rowing boats that enter the cave.
How can I get to the Emerald Grotto from Amalfi?
You can go by SITA bus towards Positano, by taxi boat from the harbour or by private car. Just remember that parking along the coast is limited.
How can I visit the Amalfi Coast on a budget?
Use local buses whenever possible, book sea routes in advance and avoid the busiest dates in August. Staying in Sorrento is often a smart base for optimising transports and costs.
Is it better to stay in Sorrento or Positano to visit the caves?
Sorrento is ideal for visiting Capri and its grottos; Positano is closer to the Emerald Grotto and the coves between Praiano and Amalfi.
Can you swim inside the grottos?
In some of them, yes – for example in the Green Grotto when conditions are safe. In others, such as the Blue Grotto, swimming is not allowed for safety and regulation reasons.
Where should I stay if I want to explore several caves?
Sorrento is a very convenient base thanks to its ferries and bus connections – see the guide where to stay in Sorrento for couples. If you dream of evenings by the sea and romantic views, you can also check where to stay in Positano for couples.
How can I combine a grotto tour with a romantic moment?
You can plan a sunset boat tour, a private dinner with chef in your villa or apartment, or a special surprise using the ideas in the guide marriage proposal in Sorrento and Positano. For an unforgettable stay, you can also look at Sorrento Villa and the Positano Apartment, both perfect bases for exploring the coast and its grottos.
