Capri Blue Grotto/Amalfi Green Grotto

I have not seen the Green Grotto, but the Blue Grotto is beautiful. I wouldn't go far out of my way to see it, but if you are in the area...

The Green or Emerald Grotto is the quintessential tourist trap. You pay to go by boat from Positano - - - I'm remembering 10 euros/pp. When you get to the mouth of the cave, you discover that you haven't yet paid to get in - - another 5 euros. Inside, the light is, indeed, greenish. There are some rock formations, which, with some imagination, can be interpreted as looking like human figures. The ultimate "thrill" is the manger scene with a plastic baby Jesus. If the prices haven't gone up (we were there 5 years ago), that's $48 or so for a couple. The only thing we got from the experience was a story to enter in the competition for the tackiest site we've ever visited.

What I remember about the Blue Grotto were the guys who rowed you in . All they did was remind us that we should tip them. Even inside the Grotto itself they wouldn't shut up. Ruined it for me.

However, the isle of Capri itself was very charming. Make sure you take the funicular to the top.

(I should say I was there 17 years ago and things might have changed.)

Thanks for all of the insight. I forgot about the ride to the "top" of Capri - we'll remember to do that now. I'll skip the Emerald Grotto but probably see the Blue Grotto since we'll be on Capri for a day anyway. We're also going on a day trip on the bus from Sorrento to Salerno, with a stop in Positano and Ravello. I'm having a challenge finding lodgings for anything under $150 US per night. Should I just take that and stop looking? I'm focused on avoiding Naples at all costs. because of the crime against tourists I've heard so much about and so have chosen Sorrento as our three-day-base as a bus goes directly there from Rome. Any more thoughts on any of this?

Thank again.

Paula

Sorrento was a very nice town. Don't miss Pompeii. Fascinating--if you like history.

Yes, Sorrento is safe and a great base for daytripping. As Frank said, don't miss Pompeii! It's an easy, 1/2 hr train ride from Sorrento and truly amazing.

We loved Capri our day and 1/2 in Capri but skipped the Grotto as we'd read so many poor reviews of the experience (very touristy, not always allowed in due to heavy seas, etc). Instead, we did the chair lift up Mt. Solaro, walked around Anacapri, explored the gardens and other scenic points in Capri town and did 2 really fun hikes up to the ruins at Villa Jovis, and Natural Arch. The paths are steep but paved, both provide terrific views and are great for escaping the tour group crowds in town during the day. Oh, and if you like wine, drop me an e-mail and I'll tell you about one not-to-be-missed little table.

If you are feeling fit, you can walk the many, many, many, many stairs from Capri to Anacapri. We did it last time we were there, and felt very smug about it!
And when we got to the top, boy did that ice cold lemoncello taste good.

We spent about 3 minutes in the Blue Grotto and all the guys who rowed you in did chatter incessently about their tips. I took the extended tour that took you on a boat rode all around the island. The cliffs and rock formations were beautiful and I enjoyed the ride immensely. I would have been disappointed if I had taken the shorter one and only seen the blue grotto.

We saw the Blue Grotto and enjoyed it. We took the bus to the Grotto from Anacapri and then swam into the grotto. It was amazing. There was only us and another couple. Just remember that if the tide isn't right or the water is to choppy that sometimes you will pay for the ride get to the opening of the Grotto with many other boats and possibly be turned away.We stayed in Anacapri and payed about 125euros/night. I enjoyed it on Capri nmore that the Amalfi Coast. We stayed 1 night in Naples and really enjoyed it. It is a very chaotic city. We stayed in a hotel about 1/2 mile from the train station which was very nice. We never felt unsafe. We did a neighborhood walk during the day and went for pizza at night.

Thanks for the thoughts. Did you stop in Ravello or Positano or Amalfi villages? I hear they're beautiful. I haven't read anything about swimming into the Blue Grotto - very courageous. We'll see about that.

I saw the Blue Grotto and thought it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my life. Truly amazing. Even if the rowers kept asking about their tips (which I don't remember them doing) it would have been worth it. I've lived in Italy over eight years now and have seen many, many beautiful things, but I always remember the Blue Grotto.

We spent 4 nights in Sorrento in July 2006 and loved it. It is a lively place and we were here when Italy won the World Cup so you can imagine the atmosphere! We stayed at Hotel Settimo Cielo which means 7th heaven and it is. Not a fancy place but rooms with balconies and views of the Bay of Naples and Mt. Vesuvisus. We could sit outside in the evenings and enjoy the beautiful view. Would stay here again. We parked our car at the hotel and took the train to Pompeii,the bus to Positano and the boat back to Sorrento. Also went to Capri and it is beautiful. We did the Blue Grotto. It is a hoot and spendy but the boat ride to get out there was beautiful and enjoyable and we are glad we did it. You will be charged for the boat ride out there, then you will sit in that boat until a little boat comes over and picks you up and then you will pay another fee to get into the grotto and also the rowers expect a tip. Be aware that the grotto can be closed if the waters are too rough.