7 Best Caves in Mallorca (tips + photos)

Some of the most fascinating attractions on Mallorca island are the “Cuevas”, especially Drach and Hams. 
But there are other options worth considering, especially if you want to avoid the crowds.
Some lesser known caves are my favorites!
Below are the 7 best Mallorca caves you can visit around the island with photos, tips and map.

Before all my tips + photos, let me share my best-of to plan your Mallorca trip:

1 – Coves d’Arta – Best Mallorca Cave

For me, there is no question.
The best experience is at Coves d’Arta, a.k.a. the Arta Caves.
They are not the best for photography, but the visit brought me to tears.
I visited it last, so I was worried about getting bored, but on the contrary, I had a blast!
I especially loved:

• The impressive entrance in the sea cliff facing the water,
•  The impressive size of the columns and stalagmites,
• The quantity of columns,
• The nice size of the group, not too big,
• The music experience. Exactly what I was hoping (as I was disappointed in the other caves… no details, I am not spoiling the surprise for you!).

Just know that because of its situation, the cave has been inhabited a long time, and there are a lot of dark colors compared to other caves, because of that.

• Location –
  Not far from the towns of Arta and Capdepera
  East end of the island
  Palma de Mallorca to Arta Caves = 1h10 drive
  Alcudia to Arta Caves = 50min drive
• Type –
  Karst Caves
• Opening hours –
  Entrance every 30 minutes
  10am to 5pmTour is guided and takes around 40 minutes
  Check out latest info on official website
• Price –
  15 euros
• Practical info –
  Drive is easy
  Parking is limited (note: there are 2 carparks, one near the entrance and one 200m away along the road)
  The tour includes 425 steps. They are spread out throughout the walk.
  Caves are rather large, not too bad for claustrophobia.

2 – Campanet Caves – the prettiest

My second choice is still not one of the most famous cave systems on the island. It is the Campanet Caves.
This is the one with the most beautiful structures, in my opinion (and in the opinion of my Arta Caves Tour Guide too).
The lighting is very well done so you can really enjoy the details and beauty of the place.
Plus, it was only discovered in 1945, so the rock crystallizations and structures are in a very good condition.

The walking path takes you around a 600m long route to discover several chambers.
And the views from the café restaurant are beautiful, out of the beaten path. One of Mallorca’s hidden gems.

• Location –
  Close to main road across island Ma-13.
  Not far from Alcudia
  Palma de Mallorca to Campanet Caves = 35min drive
  Alcudia to Campanet Caves = 20min drive
• Type –
  Karst Caves
• Opening hours –
  Plan 40minutes to complete the tour of the cave
  Check the latest info on the official website
• Price –
  15€
  Pre-book your ticket here
• Practical info –
  Drive is easy.
  Parking is easy.
  Walk is more difficult. There are many tall steps, even just to reach the restaurant and the entrance of the cave from the carpark.

All my favorite locations are included (with GPS coordinates, maps and tips) in my travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your Mallorca road trip:

3 – Portals Vells Caves – for something different

Now, let’s switch things up.
Before I continue with the famous karst caves, I think the Portals Vells Caves also deserve a visit.
Those are mining caves in the sea cliffs.
Mining in this area started in the Middle Ages. The caves are also known as « Ses Coves de Mare de Deu » (The Caves of the Blessed Mother).
The sandstone was used to build the cathedral in Palma as well as Palaces.

I really loved:

• The short hike to get to the caves,
• The stone carvings and the altar that testify to the history of the seamen who anchored there,
• The size of the entrance holes,
• The views from the cave,
• The small beach nearby,
• The views of those caves from across the bay,
• ….

Learn more

• Location –
  South West of Palma de Mallorca
  Palma de Mallorca to Portals Vells = 30min drive
  Alcudia to Portals Vells = 1h drive
• Type –
  Mining caves
• Opening hours –
  Free access
  10 to 15min hike from the carpark to the caves
  Plan 1h to 1h30 to enjoy the caves, the area and walk on the other side too.
• Price –
  Free access
• Practical info –
  Easy drive and good size carpark
  Hike is not difficult. At one point, it is not clear where the path is (it is up not at sea level). But you find out quickly.
  And don’t forget to walk on the left side of the restaurant as well to see the cave’s entrances from a distance.

4 – Drach Caves – most famous caves in Mallorca

The Drach Caves are the most popular on the island.
I think the caves are beautiful but the experience is not for everyone, and you should be aware of the reality of the tour.

Pros:

• Lots of beautiful structures in good conditions
• Several chambers
• High quantity of small stalactites falling from the ceilings
• Lake Martel, which is one of the largest subterranean lakes in the world (177m long and 30m wide)
• Music is with live musicians

Cons:

• The groups are huge – 420 people max – you are hoarded along the path
• For the music experience, it takes 15minutes for everyone to sit and 10 for everyone to leave…
• The choice of music is not what I was hoping for (but that is a personal preference)

• Location –
  Near the town of Porto Cristo
  Palma de Mallorca to Cuevas del Drach = 1h drive
  Alcudia to Cuevas del Drach = 1h drive
• Type –
  Karst Caves
• Opening hours –
  Guided tour takes 1h10 
  Every hour
  Check out the latest info on the official website
• Price –
  15€
  Book your ticket up to 7 days in advance on site above – can get full!
• Practical info –
  Easy drive and large carpark
  1.2km loop
  Around 250 steps (including 100 in a row up at the end)
  The group size is up to 420 people!!! Be aware.
  If you don’t rent a car, day trips are organized from many locations – see some options

5 – Hams Caves – with a unique feature

I was so surprised how different the experience is at Hams’ caves, despite being so close to Drach Caves.
The tour includes 2 sections.

Pros:

• While you wait to go in each area, you sit under the giant open cave with vegetation
• The first video documentary in the Blue Cave is quite interesting and the right length
• The classic cave is home to a unique feature called Fishhooks. The geologists still can’t explain their formations.

Cons:

• There are a lot fewer structures to look at, chambers are small
• The music experience is very strange in my opinion (but maybe Germans will enjoy it)
• There is quite a lot of waiting time

• Location –
  Near the town of Porto Cristo
  Palma de Mallorca to Hams’ Caves = 1h drive
  Alcudia to Hams’ Caves = 1h drive
• Type –
  Karst Caves
• Opening hours –
  The tour with both visits lasts 1h
  Groups of reasonable size
  Check out the latest info on the official website
• Price –
  19€
  Pre-book your ticket here (if guarantees your entrance but does not reduce the lines that much…)
• Practical info –
  Easy drive and large carpark
  850m long path 380 steps either up or down, and a few are quite steep
  The classic cave is not ideal for claustrophobic people. The chambers are quite small.
  If you don’t rent a car, day trips are organized from many locations – see some options

6 – Cuevas de Genova – the Palma Caves

If you are looking for the caves closest to Palma de Mallorca, then the Genova caves are your best option.
This is a small cave system just under a neighborhood. You access it via a restaurant.
It is a short visit with some nice structures, but many colors of lighting.

It is quite fun because of its location, but be aware that the visit is short.

• Location –
  Suburbs of Palma de Mallorca
  Palma de Mallorca old center to Genova Caves = 15min drive
  Alcudia to Genova Caves = 45min drive
• Type –
  Karst Caves
• Opening hours –
  11am to 4:30pm
  Explore at your own rhythm, no guide – it takes around 15minutes
  Check out the latest info on the official website
• Price –
  10€
• Practical info –
  Just under a restaurant
  Good size carpark across the street.
  Avoid if you have claustrophobia. Small chambers.

7 – Cala Sant Vicenç prehistoric caves

Let’s move to something different again.
Near Cala Sant Vicenc, you can find burial artificial caves from the Middle Bronze Age.

A short walk around a hill allows you to discover the caves of the Alzineret:

• Oval chamber caves, simple structure
• Extended rectangular ground caves, with more complex structures including ceiling, corridor…

Inside are graves, benches, burial niches…

• Location –
  Near Cala Sant Vicenc
  Palma de Mallorca to Alzineret prehistoric caves = 1h20 drive
  Alcudia to Alzineret prehistoric caves = 25min drive
• Type –
  Prehistoric Burial Caves
• Opening hours –
  Free access
• Price –
  Free access
• Practical info –
  Easy parking on the street
  Easy walk
  GPS coordinates in my eBook.

What about the Blue Caves in Mallorca? Plus, sea-Caving

Several locations are called blue caves in Mallorca:

• One of the 2 caves in Ham’s caves (but it is not really blue…)
• A small sea cave on Cabrera island (Cova Blava) where the light reflects on the water in the afternoon, creating a blue glow – book boat tour
• Another sea cave in the peninsulas near Alcudia and Pollença – here as well, the light reflects on the water creating a blue glow – Book a snorkeling tour

Sea-caving experience!

And for an experience even more amazing, consider going sea-caving; You won’t forget this unique experience!
Learn more

About the caves in Mallorca – Map, tips…

How many caves are in Mallorca?

It is written that Mallorca is home to over 200 cave systems.
Regarding Karst Caves, only 5 are open to visitors (as listed in this article).
But there are also many sea caves, mining caves and more.

Map – 5 Mallorca Karst caves to visit

Below is a map to help you locate those 5 Mallorca Cuevas.

Want to see more of Mallorca?

• 40 most beautiful landscapes in Mallorca (with pictures) – read article
• 10 best calas in Mallorca (coves) – read article
• 12 Mallorca hidden gems, off the beaten path – read article
• 21 most beautiful views in Mallorca – read article
• Mallorca travel tips – read article
• Driving in Mallorca – read article
• One week in Mallorca – 5 itinerary suggestions – read article
• 21 Most beautiful towns and villages in Mallorca – read article
• 21 Best beaches in Mallorca – read article

Planning a trip to Mallorca?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

And keep track of your own trip!

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