Capri and the Blue Grotto

Capri is a glamorous rocky island rising from the blue Bay of Naples, long a playground of the wealthy, from Roman emperors to modern celebrities. Its dramatic sea cliffs and the towering Faraglioni rocks, the chic little town of Capri above the harbour, and above all the Blue Grotto, a sea cave where the water glows an electric blue, make it a byword for Mediterranean glamour.

History

In Roman times the Blue Grotto served the emperor Tiberius, who moved from Rome to Capri in 27 AD, as his personal swimming place and as a marine temple, and passages at the back of the cave lead to the Sala dei Nomi, the "room of names", after the signatures left by visitors over the centuries (Wikipedia, Blue Grotto (Capri)).

What's there

• The Blue Grotto - the sea cave where sunlight turns the water electric blue.
• The Faraglioni - the towering rock stacks off the coast.
• Capri town and the Piazzetta - the chic little square above the harbour.
• Monte Solaro and Anacapri - the chairlift to the island's high point and the quieter upper village.

When to go

Late spring and early autumn for the sea and the island without the peak crush; July and August are mobbed and dear. The Blue Grotto depends on calm seas and can close, so it is never guaranteed.

Before you go

It is glamorous and very expensive, and mobbed by day-trippers in season, so an overnight stay lets you see it calm. The Blue Grotto depends on calm seas and light, involves a queue and a small rowing boat, and can be closed, so it is never certain. It is a day trip for most from the coast.

Nearby

Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast are across the bay.

Key facts