Best Coves in Mallorca
Mallorca is an island in Spain that hides beneath its surface authentic geological wonders, formed by the erosion of the soil. They are caves and grottoes that represent one of the island's main tourist attractions, because they offer a unique and fascinating experience.
Cave of Majorca | Cristian Bortes
Mallorca is an island in Spain that hides beneath its surface authentic geological wonders, formed by soil erosion. They are caves and grottoes that represent one of the island' s main tourist attractions, because they offer a unique and fascinating experience.
Dare to discover one of the best things to do in Mallorca with experiences that will take you from the spectacular caves of Drach, to those of Hams or the majestic Artà Caves. You will pass through the mysterious and little known caves of Campanet in the north of Mallorca and much more. Each place represents an adventure and an opportunity to explore and enjoy caving.
1. Drach Caves
One of the main tourist attractions are the caves of Drach, in the municipality of Manacor, on the east coast of Mallorca. It is one of the most impressive wonders of the island because it is home to Lake Martel. Bear in mind that the cave is large and one of the best options for visiting it is to join a tour of the Drach caves.
These caves are 1,200 metres long and 25 metres below sea level. Inside you can also see stalactites, stalagmites and other beautiful rock formations. Some say that it was these formations that inspired Jules Verne for his work "Journey to the Centre of the Earth".
During the tour, which lasts about 5 hours, you will learn all the details of this geological wonder while you go aboard a rowing boat to explore the interior of the cave. The adventure might even include a classical music concert to add to the excitement and drama of the underground experience. It's one of the things to add to the list if you're spending at least 5 days in Mallorca.
Useful information
- Price: a guided tour is estimated to cost between €50 and €55 per adult.
- Duration: it can be extended for around 5 hours.
2. Hams Caves
Visiting the Hams cave system is a different experience not to be missed, and one that can be made memorable if you go to Mallorca in April, when the weather is pleasant and they are open to the public with guided tours along with light and sound shows.
Its name means caves of hooks, due to the shape of its stalactites. They were discovered in 1905 and opened to the public 5 years later. They are made up of 12 rooms, each with its own theme.
The walk through these caves takes you through between 500 and 850 metres of an underground world full of mystery and beauty, with many stone formations that look like tiles hanging from the ceiling.
If you join a standard tour, you'll be guided through the different galleries and see the Sea of Venice lake in the Theatre Hall. There are also options that, as well as taking you to the cave, include a visit to the Pearl Factory in Manacor. Visiting the Hams caves in Mallorca is an opportunity to get to know one of the most impressive natural wonders of this Mediterranean city, while exploring its geology and culture.
Useful information
- Price: the standard tour is estimated at between €20 and €25 per adult. The premium tour is over €40.
- Duration: the basic tour lasts about 45 minutes, while other options can be extended by up to 5 hours.
3. Caves "Coves d'Artà" Caves
Located in the municipality of Capdepera, on the east coast of Mallorca, the caves of Artà are one of the oldest and largest on the island. They are also a good option if you are going to Mallorca with children because it is a cultural and fun activity that offers a spectacle of shapes and colours inside that the little ones will enjoy.
The entrance to this cave is at the top of a cliff, from where you can contemplate the bay of Canyamel in all its splendour. Entering the cave means venturing inside to discover the secrets hidden in these caves that have been inhabited since prehistoric times.
The tour of the Artà caves is relatively quick. In about 40 minutes you will have visited the halls of the Columns; of the Queen, where you will find one of the largest stalagmites in Europe; of Hell or the Hall of Flags.
Bear in mind that if you decide to visit the Artà caves in the morning, you will return to the city in plenty of time and you will have the opportunity to do other activities in Mallorca such as taking a catamaran cruise at sunset to enjoy the bay, the fresh breeze and thus end the day in a magical way.
Useful information
- Price: 15 € per adult and 8 € per child.
- Duration: an average time of 40 minutes.
4. Caves of Genoa
The G enova Caves are one of the most spectacular formations on the island and are located in the municipality of Palma. Moreover, they are easy to access and quick to visit, just 10 minutes from the city centre, making them a good alternative if you are short on time and you are planning to spend two days in Mallorca.
This 36-metre-deep, 780-metre-long cave is a hidden treasure in a residential neighbourhood. It was discovered in 1906, but opened to tourism in 1935. If you dare to visit it, you can explore some 100 metres of its space where the galleries La Blanca, La Negra, La Selva Virgen and de los Lagos are located.
Each one of them is a spectacle for geology lovers because it is a cave of calcareous origin that will surprise you with its stalactite, stalagmite and eccentric formations, which have been sculpted by water for centuries.
If you dare to explore this underground wonder, you will be able to admire the colourful and diverse shapes and different shades of minerals at your own pace.
Useful information
- Price: between €10 and €15 per adult.
- Duration: the tour lasts about 30 minutes, but you can stay longer if you wish.
5. Caves of Campanet
Located in the north, in the municipality of the same name, the Campanet caves are among the least known but most beautiful and interesting of the caves. They are also an ideal destination to include in the top 10 things to do in Mallorca in summer because, although there are many tourists in the city, as they are not so crowded, you can explore them at your leisure.
The Campanet caves were discovered in 1945 and 3 years later they were opened to the public. They extend for about 3,200 metres and have a depth of 50 metres. However, for security reasons, only about 500 metres can be visited.
There, you can opt for an audio-guided tour that explains the history, fauna and geology of the caves. You will also see different galleries such as the Romantic Room, the Palm Tree Room, the Waterfall Room and the Lake Room, where you can admire the richness and variety of rock formations. The Campanet Caves are a unique experience that allows you to learn more about the fascinating underground world of the island of Mallorca.
Useful information
- Price: approximately 16 € per adult.
- Duration: estimated at around 40 minutes.
6. Blanques Caves
Singular and little known, the Cuevas Blanques, or white caves in Mallorca, are located in the municipality of Pollença. To explore them is to get to know history because they are accessed through a path built by Republican prisoners during the post-war period.
Moreover, if you are a nature and geology lover, this is the perfect place to go because it stands out for its concentration of whitish stalactites and stalagmites that give it its name. Visits to this cave are restricted to a certain extent, but if you go to Mallorca in August, you could opt for a special permit to enter more deeply.
Inside you can see the fossil remains of animals endemic to the islands, such as the Myotragus balearicus, an animal that became extinct 4,000 years ago.
It is an original experience that will allow you to discover a unique natural and cultural heritage in Mallorca. The tour lasts about 20 minutes and is free, with no guide or entrance fee. You can explore the different galleries that make up these caves and admire the curious shapes and colours of the rocks.
Useful information
- Price: adults pay €12 per adult and children pay approximately €6.
- Duration: about 45 minutes.
7. Cave of Avenc de Son Pou between Santa Maria and Orient
For true lovers of hiking and caving, a visit to the Avenc de Son Pou cave may be the ideal plan. It is a natural cave located between Santa María del Camí and Camí de Coanegra, in the Tramontana mountain range. It also has the title of being one of the largest caves in Europe, 60 metres high and 75 metres wide.
An excursion to this cave is a unique experience in which you can enjoy breathtaking landscapes, waterfalls, water springs and a predominantly green forest. Although it is suitable for the whole family, there is a certain level of difficulty in reaching the cave, so a minimum level of fitness is required. You can take the route from Santa Maria del Camí, which is longer and easier, or the one from Orient, which is shorter but wilder.
Both routes take about 4 hours each way and you won't regret it because you will be able to feel the power and beauty of nature in all its splendour. For example, the main feature of this cave is a 10-metre hole at the top, through which light enters, creating an extraordinary effect. Inside the cave you will see stalactites, stalagmites and other rock formations of great beauty.
Although you can visit it at any time of the year, if you go to Mallorca in winter, it offers a different spectacle, because the upper hole may be covered with snow or ice and contrasts with the darkness of the cave. Remember to bring comfortable shoes, a torch and warm clothes because it is colder and wetter.
Useful information
- Price: admission is free.
- Duration: the tour can take up to 2 hours.
8. Alzinaret Caves
To discover and explore part of the natural and cultural heritage of Mallorca you can venture to the caves of l'Alzinaret. These caves are a prehistoric rocky complex that form a necropolis located towards the north of the province in Cala de Sant Vicenç in Pollença.
For those who enjoy physical activity, you can visit l'Alzinaret by bike. It is a way of getting in touch with nature, doing sport and learning about the history and geology of the island. The caves date back to 1600 BC and belong to the pre-Talayotic culture. Likewise, if you are a lover of the two-wheeled experience, you can join a bicycle tour of Mallorca.
The caves harbour a lot of history, because collective burials took place inside them and bones have been found. So if you are interested, bear in mind that this is a free route through different types of caves in the middle of a holm oak forest. To get there, you will have to go along a path that surrounds the hill and from where you will be able to take beautiful photos.
Useful information
- Price: generally €10 for adults and €5 for children.
- Duration: usually 45 minutes.
9. Pirate's Cave
The Pirate's Cave is one of the most spectacular marine formations in Mallorca. It is located on the east coast of the island, between Porto Cristo and Porto Colom. The great thing about visiting this cave is that it is an adventure that can only be accessed by sea.
A visit to the Cueva des Coloms is a unique experience in which you will discover a place full of history and mystery. According to legend, it was a refuge for pirates who raided the Mallorcan coasts and hid their treasures and booty there. There are also stalactite and stalagmite formations inside, as well as an underground lake.
As it can only be reached by sea, you will have to join a guided tour accompanied by an expert guide who will explain the legend and the characteristics of the cave. Therefore, this visit is one of the 10 best activities to do in Mallorca because it is fun, dynamic and with a lot of exploration.
Keep in mind that by visiting this cave you can connect with water activities, so you could join a kayaking, snorkelling and coasteering tour in Mallorca.
Useful information
- Price: approximately 45-55 € per adult.
- Duration: about 4 hours, but only 45 minutes are for exploration in the cave. The rest of the time is for sailing, snorkelling and more.
10. Caves of Mare de Déu de Portals Vells
The Mare de Déu de Portals Vells Caves combine the beauty of nature with the mystery of man's hand. An excursion to this destination will take you to admire the engravings on the walls inside and surrounding an altar.
This grotto of rock formations hides stories and legends. It is an ancient sea quarry dating from the 14th and 15th centuries, whose stones were used for buildings such as Palma Cathedral and the church of Santa Eulàlia.
According to legend, some Genoese fishermen deposited a virgin as thanks after surviving a storm. The excursion is an ideal activity for the whole family because it is very simple and suitable for beginners. In addition, you can enjoy the beautiful views of the sea and the caves eroded into the rock.
The activity combines culture, nature and fun. Once inside the cave, you will be amazed by its size and beauty. The tour lasts about two hours and, on the way out, you could go on one of the best gastronomic tours in Mallorca to taste the seafood, or relax and have a bite to eat in the cove of Portals Vells.
Useful information
- Price: about 14 € per adult and 7 € per child.
- Duration: an estimated 40 minutes.