My girlfriend and I went there in August and it was pact with people. It's very nice down at the river and quite a cool view in towards the cave. But it's not a place to go swim and relax. For that the river is mostly to shallow and the river banks way to small to lay down towels (maybe off season when it's less people). If you come by car it's easy to find. It's signs when you get close and you always have the unmistakable Italian parking along the road to tell you that you are getting close. It's two entrances to the river. One is trough the organized part where you can pay to use and elevator and pay to get a tour, and the other is totally free and you just go down the staircase. It's not far at all, but then again it depends on what you are used to and your fitness. Btw you can buy food and go to the bathroom at that organized entrance, but down at the river it's no such facilities.