Most visitors join the morning crowd at one famous cave, snap a blurry photo and head back to the beach. The island has five show caves, and the one you pick changes the whole day.
Caves in Mallorca are one of the island’s main tourist attractions, and they’re very different from the beaches that bring most people here. Water has been dissolving the Miocene limestone of the Balearic Islands for millions of years. The result is thousands of caves across Mallorca, from flooded galleries known only to divers to sea caves you can swim into. Five of them are show caves with paths, lighting and regular visits: the Caves of Drach and the Caves of Hams in Porto Cristo, the Caves of Artà above Canyamel Bay, the Campanet caves in the north and the Genova caves on the edge of Palma. Older British guidebooks spell the island’s name Majorca, so you may also see them listed as the Majorca caves.
This article is for anyone planning a holiday on the island, from families looking for a rainy-day plan B to travellers who want to see more than beaches. You’ll find what each cave is like inside, how long the visit takes, when it’s open and how to get there by car or bus. You’ll also see how to combine two caves in one day, when guided tours make sense and a few practical tips on stairs, temperature and photos.
💰 THB Felip - Adults-only hotel by the harbour in Porto Cristo, a short drive from the Caves of Drach.
🏨 Hipotels Cala Millor Park - Family-friendly aparthotel in Cala Millor, about a 15-20 minute drive from Mallorca’s best-known caves.
💎 CM Mallorca Palace Hotel - Elegant adults-only hotel in Sa Coma, about 15 minutes’ drive from the Caves of Drach.
Are the caves in Mallorca worth seeing?
Yes, and the Mallorca caves are the best thing to do on the island on a rainy day or a scorching afternoon. Inside, the temperature stays at around 17-21°C all year, whatever the weather outside. Stalactites and stalagmites grow as dripping water leaves behind tiny deposits of calcite over thousands of years, and the results are spectacular. The underground lakes are just as striking, and the lighting in the bigger caves turns them into a show. Kids usually love the boats, the music and the feeling of walking through a fairy tale.
The honest downside is the crowds. In July and August the Drach caves run like a well-oiled machine, with large groups moving through the galleries one after another. Book a morning time slot online a few days ahead in high season, or pick one of the quieter caves. Coves d’Artà and Campanet feel far calmer, and many people who have seen several of the caves rate them as the most beautiful.
Which are the best caves in Mallorca?
The Caves of Drach are the most famous caves in Mallorca, thanks to Lake Martel and its live classical music concert. Choose the Caves of Hams if you’re travelling with children and want a light and sound show plus a dinosaur park. The Caves of Artà are the pick if you want stunning caves with grand chambers and a dramatic entrance above the sea, while Campanet suits a quieter visit in the north. The Genova caves are small, but they’re the easiest to reach from Palma de Mallorca.
- Caves of Drach (Porto Cristo) - the classic cave, an underground lake and a 10-minute concert, about 1 hour.
- Caves of Hams (Porto Cristo) - a musical show on an underground lake, the Blue Cave and Dinosaurland, about 1 hour.
- Caves of Artà (Canyamel) - huge halls and a column more than 20 metres tall, about 40 minutes.
- Campanet caves - small chambers full of delicate formations, about 40 minutes.
- Genova caves (Palma) - a short, self-guided visit 10 minutes’ drive from the city centre, about 30 minutes.
Caves of Drach (Cuevas del Drach) - Lake Martel and a concert underground
The Caves of Drach (Coves del Drac in Catalan, Cuevas del Drach in Spanish) lie on the east coast, about 2 km south of the centre of Porto Cristo. The name means “dragon caves”, and legend says a dragon once guarded treasure hidden inside. The system is made up of four connected caves: Cova Negra, Cova Blanca, Cova de Lluís Salvador and Cova dels Francesos. The visitor route runs for about 1,200 metres and goes down to around 25 metres below ground.
The caves were first mentioned in writing in 1338, but serious exploration only came much later. In September 1896 the French speleologist Édouard-Alfred Martel explored the deeper galleries and found the lake that now carries his name. In 1935 the Catalan engineer Carles Buïgas, famous for the Magic Fountain in Barcelona, finished the lighting that still shapes the visit today. Expect a walk past white curtains of stalactites, stalagmites, columns and still, mirror-like pools, where the reflections make it hard to tell where the rock ends and the water begins.
The concert on Lake Martel
Lake Martel is the highlight and one of the world’s largest underground lakes open to visitors. It’s around 117 metres long and 30 metres wide, and its water is slightly brackish, as the sea seeps in through the rock. Visitors sit on steps facing the water in a natural amphitheatre and the lights go down. Then a small group of musicians glides across the lake on illuminated boats, playing classical pieces for about 10 minutes. Concerts have been held here since 1935, and the acoustics are remarkable.
After the music you can cross the lake by boat or walk round it - both options are included in the standard visit. The boat trip is short, but it’s the moment most people remember. Photos without flash are allowed in the caves, but not during the concert, and tripods and selfie sticks aren’t permitted.
Tickets, time slots and how long the tour takes
The Drach tour takes about an hour, and every ticket comes with a fixed time slot. From mid-March to the end of October, tours start roughly every hour from 10am to 5pm (with a lunch break). From November to mid-March there are only four tours a day. The caves close on 25 December and 1 January. Children under 3 go in free.
Can you just turn up at the Drach caves? Off-season, usually yes. In summer, morning slots often sell out, so buy your ticket online and arrive about 15 minutes before your slot. The entrance is a short walk from the free car park. If you miss your slot, you may not get in.
Caves of Hams (Cuevas dels Hams) - hook-shaped stalactites and a light show
The Caves of Hams (Cuevas dels Hams) are located just outside Porto Cristo, on the road to Manacor, a few minutes’ drive from the Drach caves. Pedro Caldentey found them on 2 March 1905, while digging on his land. The name comes from the Mallorcan word for fishhooks, because the thin, bent stalactites in some galleries really do look like hooks. In 1910 the caves had electric light installed, before Porto Cristo itself did.
The classic route leads past a dozen galleries to an underground lake known as the “Sea of Venice”, where a short musical show takes place on the water. The visit also includes the Blue Cave, with an audiovisual show projected onto the rock. The tour takes about an hour. Next to the entrance are Cueva Redonda, an open, collapsed cave with a garden and birds, and Dinosaurland, a park with more than 100 life-size dinosaurs. You can buy a combined Dinos and Caves ticket, which makes Hams a good half-day out with children.
Hams caves or Drach caves - which is better?
Which is better, the Caves of Hams or Drach? Drach is bigger and more natural, with a longer walk, a bigger lake and a live concert. Hams is more of a show, shorter on walking and stronger on lighting, projections and extras for kids. If you only have time for one, most first-time visitors choose Drach. With children under 10, Hams and Dinosaurland are often the happier choice. The Hams caves and the Drach caves are so close that you can easily see both in one day.
Caves of Artà (Coves d’Artà) - the grandest halls on the island
The Caves of Artà open high in the cliffs of Cap Vermell, above Canyamel Bay in the municipality of Capdepera. A wide stone staircase climbs from the car park to an entrance framed by sea views. It was built in 1860 for a royal visit by Queen Isabella II, who never actually came. Inside, the scale changes completely: the halls are huge, the ceilings disappear into darkness and the formations look like organ pipes, flags and castles.
You’ll also see the name written without the accent, as the Arta caves or the Caves of Arta. The star is the Queen of Columns, a column more than 20 metres tall in the Hall of the Columns. Further on, the Hall of Hell has a light and sound show, followed by Purgatory and Paradise. The guided tour takes about 35-40 minutes and runs roughly every half an hour, in English, Spanish, German and French. The caves open daily from 10am, until 5pm from November to April and until 6pm from May to October. Children under 7 go in free.
The guest list here is impressive. Archduke Ludwig Salvator, the great chronicler of the Balearics, came in 1884, and King Alfonso XIII in 1904. A local tradition says that Jules Verne came too, and that the caves inspired Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Nobody has proved it, but standing in the Hall of the Columns you’ll understand why the story has survived.
Campanet caves (Coves de Campanet) - small chambers and fewer crowds
The Campanet caves lie in the north of the island, on the southern slope of Puig de Sant Miquel, just off the Ma-13 motorway between Palma and Alcudia. They were discovered by chance in 1945, when a local landowner was searching for water, and opened to visitors on 10 November 1948. The cave covers more than 3,000 square metres and the route is around 500 metres long.
Campanet has no lake concert or big show, and that’s exactly its charm. The chambers are small and close together, and the stalactites are extremely fine, some as thin as straws. Halls such as the Romantic Hall, the Lake Hall and the Castle are lit gently, so you see the colours of the rock rather than a light display. Fossils of Myotragus balearicus, an extinct dwarf goat-antelope unique to the Balearics, were found here. The visit takes about 40 minutes, and there’s a restaurant with a terrace and views over the countryside.
Genova caves (Coves de Gènova) - the closest caves to Palma
The Genova caves are the closest caves to Palma de Mallorca, in Gènova, a hillside district about 10 minutes’ drive from the centre. They were discovered in 1906, when workers were digging a well, and the route goes down to a depth of about 36 metres. The visit is self-guided with an audio guide and takes 25-35 minutes. City buses stop about 50 metres from the entrance.
Genova is the smallest of the show caves, and it can’t compete with Drach or Artà. It’s still a good choice on a city break, a short add-on after Bellver Castle or an easy option for a wet morning without a long drive. Some of the steps are steep and the corners tight, so keep a hand on little ones. Gènova is also known for its traditional restaurants, so it’s easy to turn the visit into a long Mallorcan lunch.
Sea caves and other caves in Mallorca
If show caves feel too tame, Mallorca’s coast is full of sea caves. The most popular trip is sea caving at Cova des Coloms on the east coast, a guided adventure where you swim, scramble and explore a cave with a hidden beach inside. Tours usually include a hotel transfer, and the minimum age is often 12. Near Cala Varques you’ll find Cova des Pont, a natural rock arch reached on foot or by boat. Many boat trips from the east-coast resorts also slip into sea caves along the cliffs.
What about the Blue Cave? The famous Cova Blava is on the island of Cabrera, a national park off the south coast. Boat trips from Colònia de Sant Jordi stop at the cave, and the water inside glows an unreal shade of blue on sunny days. Other caves you may see on maps, such as Cova des Pirata near Porto Cristo, are no longer open for regular visits.
How to get to the caves in Mallorca
The easiest way to visit the caves is by car, especially if you want to see two in one day or combine them with a beach. From Palma, the drive to Porto Cristo takes about an hour on the Ma-15 via Manacor, and to the Caves of Artà about 1 hour 10 minutes. Campanet is around 35 minutes from Palma and 20-25 minutes from Alcudia. All the main caves have free car parks. Car hire in Mallorca is easy to arrange at Palma airport, and booking early in summer gives you a better choice.
By public transport, TIB buses run from Palma to Porto Cristo via Manacor in about 1 hour 15 minutes, and the Drach caves are about a 25-minute walk from the centre. In summer, extra local lines connect Porto Cristo with Cala Millor, Cala Bona, Cala Ratjada, Cala Mendia and Cala d’Or. Canyamel and the Artà caves have far fewer connections, and the Campanet caves are about 3 km from Campanet village, so a car or taxi is the realistic option there. For Genova, take a city bus from Palma centre.
Can you combine caves in one day?
Drach and Hams are the obvious pair. They’re a few minutes’ drive apart, so you can visit one in the morning, have lunch at the harbour in Porto Cristo and see the other in the afternoon. There’s no joint ticket for both, so book two separate time slots with at least two hours between them.
The Caves of Artà and Drach also make a good east-coast day out, as they’re roughly half an hour apart by car. Add a swim at Canyamel or Cala Millor in between. In the north, Campanet fits neatly into a day around Pollença, Alcudia or the Thursday market in Inca. If you’re staying near Sa Coma, Safari Zoo Mallorca is another easy add-on for families.
Guided tours and excursions to the caves
No car? An organised excursion is often the simplest option. Half-day and full-day trips to the Caves of Drach leave from Palma and most big resorts, including Alcudia, Can Picafort, Cala Millor and Cala d’Or. The ticket and transport are included, and you skip the queue at the entrance. Some tours add the Caves of Hams, a boat trip from Porto Cristo or a stop at a pearl factory in Manacor.
A guided tour also takes care of the time slot, which is handy in August when the caves sell out. If you’d rather go at your own pace, buy entry tickets and drive yourself. You’ll find tickets and tours in the practical information section below.
Practical tips for visiting caves in Mallorca
Bring a light jumper or a long-sleeved top. The temperature stays the same year round, and the humidity of up to 95% can make it feel cooler after a hot day outside. Wear trainers or other shoes with a good grip, as the paths can be damp and slippery.
All the show caves have stairs, and the main ones have hundreds of steps, with handrails. None of the big caves is suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs, so bring a baby carrier for small children. Photos without flash are generally allowed, but you’ll get far better results with a phone in night mode than with a flash that bounces off the rock. Dogs aren’t allowed, apart from guide dogs.
Plan for about two hours per cave, including parking, waiting and the walk out. The quietest times are the first tour of the morning and the last one of the afternoon. The Mallorca caves are also one of the best things to do on the island from November to March, when there are fewer visitors and rainy days are perfect for going underground. If you like this kind of trip, the volcanic Jameos del Agua on Lanzarote is a very different cave experience worth adding to your list.
Practical information
- Tickets to the caves in Mallorca are best booked in advance. You’ll avoid the queue at the ticket office and won’t risk finding your preferred time slot sold out.
- Address: Caves of Drach - Ctra. Cuevas s/n, 07680 Porto Cristo; Caves of Hams - Ctra. Manacor-Porto Cristo km 11, Porto Cristo; Caves of Artà - Ctra. de las Cuevas s/n, Canyamel, Capdepera; Campanet caves - Camí de les Coves, Campanet; Genova caves - Carrer del Barranc 45, Palma.
- Buy tickets on GetYourGuide
Hotels near Mallorca’s caves
Most of Mallorca’s best caves are on the east coast, between Porto Cristo, Cala Millor and Canyamel. Staying in this area puts the Caves of Drach, Hams and Artà within a short drive, with quieter beaches and resorts on your doorstep.
💰 THB Felip
An adults-only hotel right by the harbour in Porto Cristo, about a 20-minute walk or a short drive from the Caves of Drach. You can visit the caves in the morning and spend the afternoon on the small town beach a few steps away. Restaurants and the seafront promenade are just outside, so you won’t need the car in the evenings. It’s a good pick for couples who want a calm, good-value base on the east coast.
🏨 Hipotels Cala Millor Park
A comfortable aparthotel in Cala Millor, a short walk from one of the longest sandy beaches on the east coast. The Caves of Drach, Hams and Artà are all around 15-20 minutes away by car. Pools, apartments with kitchenettes and plenty of shops and restaurants nearby make it handy for families. It works well if you want a beach holiday with easy day trips to the caves.
💎 CM Mallorca Palace Hotel
An elegant adults-only hotel in Sa Coma, close to the beach and Safari Zoo Mallorca, about 15 minutes’ drive from the Caves of Drach. It offers stylish rooms, a spa area, a large pool and a restaurant serving excellent food. The hotel also has accessible facilities for guests with reduced mobility. Choose it for a relaxing, upmarket break with the caves as an easy outing.
