Best caves in Mallorca to visit this year
Adventures below the ground
Looking for the best caves in Mallorca? I got you covered!
One of my past times in Mallorca’s off-season is exploring the island’s caves. Among the most popular are definitely the Dragon’s Cave and Ham’s Cave.
Lots of Mallorca’s caves are sea caves that can only be explored by diving. However, there are also some family-friendly caves which you can enter and visit on dry land.
Here are my top 6 caves in Mallorca that are worth an (adventure) trip.
No time or energy to read through everything?
Half-Day Caving Trip – Cova des Coloms
Sea caving is a fantastic experience and a little adventure! After a 300m swim into this magical sea cave, you will get to explore it. Just WOW!
1. Coves del Drach / Dragon cave
Probably the most famous and visited cave in Mallorca is the Dragon Cave. It is the largest cave system in the Balearic Islands and is located in the east of the island, near Porto Cristo (⇨ location on map).
Six underground lakes and numerous grottoes in Mallorca’s Dragon Cave extend over an impressive total length of 1700 meters. The most famous lake in the cave, Lago Martel, is actually the largest underground lake in Europe.
It is an impressive 177 meters long, 40 meters wide, up to nine meters deep and a full 25 meters underground. Its waters reflect the stunning rock formations, creating a magical atmosphere.
Legend has it that pirate treasure was once hidden in the cave and guarded by a dragon. This is how the impressive cave got its name.
The tour lasts about 1 hour and offers a unique opportunity to see the fascinating stalactites and stalagmites up close. Over thousands of years, nature has created true works of art. The path leads into numerous caves that are connected by steep stairs.
The family-friendly tour includes a live concert at Lake Martel which you will then be crossed by boat or bridge.
Guided tours in winter: 10:45am, 12:00am, 2:00pm, 3:30pm
Guided tours in summer: hourly from 10:00am to 5:00pm
My tip: The Dragon Cave is a popular tourist destination. ⇨ Book tickets here in advance, as the cave is very busy at peak times.
2. Cova des Coloms / Dove cave
⇨ My top tip if you want to visit a beautiful sea cave in Mallorca and feel a bit adventurous!
South of Porto Cristo, between the coves of Cala Falcó and Cala Varquez, there is an outstanding example of a sea cave: the Cova des Coloms (⇨ location on map).
You can’t just drive up to the Cova des Coloms. No, this Mallorcan sea cave can only be reached via water. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a cave diver, you only have to swim about 300m to get inside.
Equipped with a wetsuit, neoprene boots, torches and helmets, you will start the 1.5 to 2 hour tour, a mixture of walking, easy climbing and swimming.
You will pass through labyrinthine corridors, crystal clear turquoise salt water lakes and spectacular vaulted caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites up to 10 meters long. An absolute highlight experience!
3. Coves de Campanet / Campanet Caves
In the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana you will find a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. The Campanet Caves are located on the Sant Miquel hill, near the town of Sa Pobla (⇨ location on map).
This underground world was discovered in 1945 by a Mallorcan shepherd in search of water.
A 40-minute audio guide will take you through the beautiful cave, explaining the incredible stalactite formations and small underground lakes. Although the caves of Campanet are smaller than other caves, they are way less crowded.
Info: Only natural light illuminates the Coves de Campanet. There are no light shows like in other show caves.
Opening hours in winter: 10:00am to 5:30pm
Opening hours in summer: 10:00am to 6:30pm
⇨ You can get your ticket for €16.00 only on the box office. Pre-booking is not possible.
4. Coves de Gènova / Caves of Genova
Due to the length of the tour, this cave is perfect for younger children.
The caves of Genova have their name from the residential area of Genova, which is part of the municipality of Palma de Mallorca (⇨ location on map).
The caves were discovered by chance during the construction of a cistern in 1906. The underground galleries, of limestone origin, are naturally interconnected and form a fascinating labyrinth that served as a dwelling and shelter in prehistoric times.
After a short introductory film, the tour goes down to a depth of 36 meters. The tour lasts about 30 minutes and passes through huge vaults, majestic columns, water basins and tunnels on 3 levels. Unlike many other show caves, there are no light or music effects.
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00pm
5. Coves d’Artà / Arta Caves
The caves of Arta are located a few kilometers northwest of Canyamel, on the east coast of Mallorca (⇨ location on map).
The impressive halls of the largest dripstone cave in Mallorca have interesting names such as Purgatory, Theatre Hall, Flag Hall and Gloria.
In the Hall of 1000 columns, you can admire countless stalagmites and stalactites that have formed continuous columns from the floor to the ceiling of the cave.
The exit of the Coves d’Artà is spectacular. It was built in 1860 on the occasion of the visit of Queen Isabella II. About 50 meters above sea level, you exit and are offered a wonderful view of the bay of Canyamel, back in daylight.
You will have to climb a total of 425 steps, stretched throughout the visit.
The caves of Arta can only be visited on a guided tour. They start every 30 minutes, last about 40 minutes and are offered in several languages.
Opening hours in winter: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Opening hours in summer: 10:00am to 6:00pm
⇨ Get your ticket on the Homepage
6. Cuevas dels Hams / Hams Cave
Cuevas del Hams is the smaller of the two caves in Porto Cristo (⇨ location on the map). Together with the larger Dragon Cave, it is often combined with an excursion (⇨ combined excursion).
There are 3 caves to visit: the round cave with a botanical garden, the “Classic Cave” with 12 tunnels, an underground lake and special formations in the shape of hooks, and the “Blue Grotto”, where a documentary film is shown.
Perhaps a bit cheesy with lots of light and music, but anyhow, are the Caves of Ham well worth a visit. Allow about 45 minutes for your visit.
Interesting fact: The caves of Hams had electric light before the town of Porto Cristo. Back then, it was generated by a mill with a waterfall, a dynamo and a cistern.
Opening hours in winter: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Opening hours in summer: 10:00am to 4:30pm
My tip: The Cuevas del Hams are the perfect family excursion in combination with the dinosaur theme park, which is just a few meters away. Here, you can admire 100 life-size animals from 40 different dinosaur species.
Caves of Mallorca Overview
The popular holiday island of Mallorca offers not only sun, sand and sea, but also an outstanding underground world with over 4,500 caves.
Interesting fact: From the approx. 4500 grottos and caves in Mallorca about 200 are very large dripstone caves.
A visit to these fascinating natural wonders is a unique and cooling experience, especially on hot summer days.
Cova de Portals Vells (south of Magaluf), Coves Blanques (accessible from Cala Sant Vicenç) or Cueva Es Coloms, near Cala Mesquida, are some of Mallorca’s hidden gems that are not so easily accessible.
Most of Mallorca’s caves are open all year round and offer exciting insights into the island’s geological history. Many of them have been used by islanders and even pirates over the centuries as a place to live, hide or protect themselves.
FAQ’s: Best caves of Mallorca
How many caves are there in Mallorca?
There are more than 4,500 caves in Mallorca, but only around 200 of them are accessible.
How were the caves on Mallorca created?
Most of the caves in Mallorca were formed by the erosion of limestone by water and wind and are sea caves.
What is the temperature in the Dragon cave?
The temperature in the Dragon Cave is quite comfortable and stays between 62ºF and 68ºF all year round. Warm winter clothing is not necessary.
Conclusion: Mallorca caves
Mallorca’s caves are some of the island’s most remarkable natural attractions. From the well-known Drach Caves, with its underground Martel Lake, to the quieter, impressive caves of Artà , each offers a unique window into the geological wonders of the region.
These caves are not just tourist destinations; they are vivid reminders of the power and beauty of the natural world, making them a must-see for anyone traveling to Mallorca.
Whether you’re interested in the science behind their formation, the history they’ve witnessed, or simply the opportunity to see something truly extraordinary, the caves of Mallorca deliver on all fronts.
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