The Emerald Grotto just outside Amalfi is one of the natural highlights along the Amalfi Coast, a blend of dazzling beauty and historic legend.
The grotto
Set in the village of Conca dei Marini just a few kilometers outside the bustling town of Amalfi, this small karst cave was formed naturally
over the millennia and gradually filled with seawater. When sunlight filters through the turquoise waves of the Mediterranean into the grotto through underwater openings,
the light becomes tinged with a magical emerald color that sends sparkling reflections up the cave walls.
The legend
The story of how the Emerald Grotto was discovered is a unique one and has become the stuff of legends over the years.
For centuries locals had spoken of a mysterious grotto along the coastline, but no one was able to actually prove its existence.
In 1932, a fisherman named Luigi Buonocore accidentally stumbled across the cave, becoming an instant celebrity and earning his place in local lore.
Visiting the Emerald Grotto
The grotto can be accessed by both land and sea. By land, you can visit on your own by leaving your vehicle in the small parking area along
the SS 163 highway and taking the stairs or elevator down to the Grotta dello Smeraldo entrance. If you don't have your own car,
you can book a private transfer or stop to visit the grotto as part of a private driving tour of the Amalfi Coast.
Estimated time: 2 to 3 hours