PHOTO: © GUILLOHMZ | DREAMSTIME .COM

Just a few miles from the Amalfi Coast, the Emerald Grotto (Grotta dello Smeraldo) offers a rare spectacle: a cavern where sunlight transforms seawater into a gorgeous green glow and emerald tones shimmer up cave walls. Discovered in 1932, this previously hidden wonder near Conca dei Marini remains a lesser-known attraction than Capri’s crowded Blue Grotto but offers striking beauty in what is often a quieter, more intimate experience far from the Capri crowds.

Unlike the Blue Grotto, you don’t need to first take a ferry ride to Capri to experience the Emerald Grotto. Simply take a boat or quick bus ride directly from Amalfi; if the latter, descend the scenic steps or hop in the elevator to reach the cave entrance. Either way, the journey to the cave is short, but the panoramic sail along the rugged coast definitely offers the more memorable approach.

In a small, wooden rowboat, you’ll enter the cave and immediately note the grotto’s most notable feature as sunlight filters through an underwater opening and gives the water its emerald glow. Depending on weather and water conditions, these green tones can shift from a deep jade to an almost electric turquoise, but they almost always appear most vibrant around midday when the sun reaches its highest point.

Guides love to gently splash the oars to show off more of the water’s ethereal color, but try to catch a calm moment to peer below the surface. Though nearly 40 feet below, the seabed is often clearly visible through the pristine water. Don’t forget to look up as well; while the grotto water’s namesake hue is the main attraction, there are impressive stalactites above and towering stalagmites around, sometimes joining together to create imposing natural columns that add to the otherworldly ambience.

PHOTO: © DANILO MONGIELLO | DREAMSTIME.COM

Since discovery nearly 100 years ago, the Emerald Grotto has become not just a geological marvel but also a place woven with lore. Local stories tell of ancient spirits dwelling in the cavern, their whispers heard echoing off the limestone walls. In a more tangible nod to religion, the cave now houses an underwater nativity scene. The submerged collection of ceramic figurines was installed in 1956, and divers descend to the seabed to lay flowers at the base of the statues each year in December.

With or without mystical elements, the cave mesmerizes on its own, offering a quiet moment of wonder amid the vibrancy of the Amalfi Coast. To appreciate it best, avoid weekends and the month of August when tourists often overrun the cave, bringing a noise level that eliminates some of the wonder and introspection available in its more tranquil moments. If these peak periods are your only option, aim for a morning visit to minimize company. There’s no need to book entry in advance, even during peak periods, but cash will open more doors (boats) any time.

To make the most of the day, stop in Amalfi town for a leisurely breakfast before heading to the cave. Try a sfogliatella, the region’s signature shell-shaped pastry filled with ricotta and candied citrus, along with a rich Italian espresso at Pasticceria Andrea Pansa, a fixture since 1830. Once in the cave, if you can resist, keep your phone tucked away. It’s difficult to capture the effect of the water or walls on camera even in the best conditions, and you risk dropping it overboard from the small, unpredictable rowboat.

After your cave visit, take advantage of being near Conca dei Marini, a picturesque village that typically feels pleasantly removed from the tourist crowds. Book a table at Le Bontà del Capo, where the seafood is as fresh as the sea breeze and views stretch long toward the horizon. For lunch, try traditional scialatielli ai frutti di mare, a local pasta specialty brimming with mussels, clams and shrimp. Pair it with a regional glass.

INFO TO GO
The closest major airport to the Amalfi Coast is Naples International Airport, with direct flights from the New York City metro area on Delta Air Lines and United Airlines and from Philadelphia (PHL) on American Airlines. From Naples, a train and bus combo easily reaches Amalfi year- round, as do many private transfer services offering greater convenience and comfort. In warmer months, one of the most beautiful ways to reach Amalfi from Naples is by ferry.