Things to Do at Emerald Grotto (Grotta dello Smeraldo)

The Emerald Grotto is one of those natural wonders that actually lives up to its Instagram reputation, though you might find yourself questioning whether the photos are real until you see it for yourself. This sea cave near Conca dei Marini gets its otherworldly emerald glow from sunlight filtering through an underwater opening, creating an almost supernatural light show that reflects off the limestone walls and ceiling. The whole experience feels like you've stumbled into some kind of aquatic cathedral. What makes this place genuinely special isn't just the color - though that's obviously the main draw - but the way the light seems to dance and shift as you float through the cave. The grotto was actually discovered relatively recently in 1932 by a local fisherman, and you can still see the stalactites and stalagmites that formed when this was a dry cave thousands of years ago. It's one of those places where geology and light come together in a way that feels almost too perfect to be natural.

Boats are the only way in. Take the SITA bus from Amalfi to Conca dei Marini, then ride the elevator down to the small dock where rowboats ferry visitors into the cave. Tour boats from Amalfi, Positano, or other coastal towns cost more but cut out the connection headaches. Driving means limited parking near the elevator entrance. The coastal road will test your nerves-narrow, winding routes packed with aggressive Italian drivers who won't give you space to figure things out.