Is Emerald Grotto worth it?
Worth it if…Lives up to the hype · −5Sea cave near Conca dei Marini toured by rowing boat, lit green from below, with an underwater nativity
Worth it, with conditions. 4.2 on Google: pretty and fun, but small and short; rarely a trip highlight.
Hype55How famous and hyped it is
Reality50Evidence-based, votes take over as they come in
4.2 ★ Google · 5,417 reviews— hypegap votes · be one of the first
Been to Emerald Grotto? Was it worth it?
One tap. No account. Your vote moves the Reality score.Is it worth it for you?
Worth itEditorial verdict until 5 families with kids vote
Short, novel boat ride; under-6s free and reduced child fares.
Why Reality is 50
Lives up to its fame3/54.2 on Google: pretty and fun, but small and short; rarely a trip highlight.
Value for money3/5About €10 for a 10–15 minute row; fair but brief.
Can’t get it elsewhere3/5Distinctive green light and underwater nativity, but sea caves are common along this coast.
Easy to do3/5Bus stop and lift on the main road, but tiny parking, queues and weather closures.
What people loved
Glowing emerald water and stalactites; entertaining (sometimes singing) boatmenQuick, cheap stop on the bus road between Positano and AmalfiYou enter from inside the cliff, so no rough-sea transfer into a tiny boat as at Capri's Blue GrottoWhat wore them down
Short visit (10–15 min) and a small caveLowest-rated major sight on this list (4.2 on Google); some find it touristyThe Amalfi boat costs extra on top of the cave ticketCloses in rough seas; busy in August and summer weekendsParking & getting there
Driving is possiblePossible as a quick stop: there is a small paid roadside car park on the SS163 by the lift, but it is very crowded in high season and odd/even plate rules apply in summer. The bus stops right outside.
- Parcheggio S. Antoniolot · about 3 min walk · ★ 4.9 (16)Price not publishedMap
- Small paid car park on the SS163 at the grotto, very crowded in high season napolike.it
- Anas ordinance 340/19: alternating-plate (odd/even) restrictions on the SS163 Amalfitana each year 1 April–30 September in set time bands stradeanas.it
- Conca dei Marini is one of the 14 municipalities in the odd/even scheme (10:00–18:00 on restricted days) napolike.it
Without a car: SITA Positano–Amalfi bus to the Grotta dello Smeraldo stop, or boat from Amalfi's Molo Pennello (about €10–12 return, 10–15 min)
Driving rules in Positano
Avoid driving on the Amalfi Coast from spring to autumn: the SS163 is narrow and congested, plate restrictions apply on peak dates, and Positano's parking is private, expensive and full by mid-morning. Ferries and SITA buses are the better choice. A car only helps for out-of-season trips or trailheads such as Pontone or Agerola.
- Alternating number plates on the SS163 Amalfitana. Anas ordinance 340/19 restricts non-resident cars on the coast road by last plate digit (odd plates barred on odd dates, even on even dates) from 10:00 to 18:00 on designated dates. 2026 dates reported: 30 Mar–6 Apr and 24 Apr–2 May, with October weekends and holidays also listed by positano.com, and none from 1 November. It covers 14 municipalities, from Vietri sul Mare to Positano, including Amalfi, Ravello, Praiano, Furore and Conca dei Marini. Exempt (with documents): residents, guests with a confirmed coast booking, taxis and NCC, disabled-badge vehicles, workers and homeowners. Motorbikes are also exempt per positano.com. Check current dates with Anas or the Comune before driving. napolike.it
- Anas ordinance (legal basis). Permanent Anas ordinance 340/19 sets the alternating-plate restrictions on the SS163 each year from 1 April to 30 September, in set time bands. stradeanas.it
- Positano ZTL for large vehicles. Via Pasitea, Piazza dei Mulini and Via C. Colombo are a ZTL for vehicles with more than 5 seats (€5 per trip). Paying does not allow stopping or parking. positano.com
- Street parking is residents-only. Street parking in Positano and its hamlets (Montepertuso, Nocelle) is for residents. White-and-yellow lines are residents-only and the few blue-line meters are almost never free in summer. Visitors use private valet-style garages that charge by the full hour, with no verified operator price lists. positano.com
- Parking overview. positano.com's parking guide lists the private garages and blue-line spots along the coast; spaces fill early in summer. positano.com
Know before you go
See something out of date? Fix it right here.Booking: Pay on site; no official online booking
Entry€10 adults, €5 ages 6–12, free under 6 (includes the rowing-boat tour); pay at the entrance. A Sept 2026 Napolike guide quotes €6–7, so confirm on arrivalSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
HoursRoughly 9:30–15:30/16:30 in season; varies and closes without notice in rough seasSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
AccessBy land: lift (yellow building) plus some stairs down from the SS163 about 3 km east of Praiano. By sea: boat from Amalfi's Molo Pennello, about €10–12 return, 10–15 min each way, cave ticket extraSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Time neededBoat tour inside 10–15 min; 30–40 min including queue and boardingSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Underwater nativityCeramic nativity figures placed in 1956 about 10 m down, visible through the waterSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Getting thereFrom Positano: SITA bus toward Amalfi, stop at the grotto on the SS163 (about 30–40 min), or ferry to Amalfi then the grotto boatSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Opening hours (Google)
- Monday: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
- Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
- Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
- Thursday: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
- Friday: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
- Sunday: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
In their words
“I’m sure there’s better caves for similar prices out there, but for my group’s quick stop in Amalfi Coast, it was worth it to me…”
“Interesting. Not that large inside.”
“Inside it is dark. Look down and the water is bright beautiful blue color. Some pilots sing to you while inside the grotto(cave)”
Tips from people who went
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Questions people ask
How much does the Emerald Grotto cost?
About €10 for adults and €5 for ages 6–12 (under 6 free), paid on site; one recent guide quotes €6–7, so check on arrival. The boat from Amalfi is extra.
How long is the Emerald Grotto tour?
The row inside takes 10–15 minutes; allow 30–40 minutes total.
How do you get to the Emerald Grotto from Positano?
Take the SITA bus toward Amalfi and get off at the grotto on the SS163, then use the lift down; or ferry to Amalfi and take the grotto boat.
Is the Emerald Grotto worth it?
As a quick, cheap stop, yes for most; don't make a special trip if you've seen bigger sea caves.
Better fits, according to people who went
Sources
- Positano.com – La Grotta dello Smeraldo
- Napolike – Grotta dello Smeraldo, come visitarla (Sept 2026)
- Google Maps – Grotta dello Smeraldo