Exploring the Caves and Caverns of Majorca
The mysterious island of Majorca is home to over 200 different cave systems, but there are actually only a handful of them that can be explored! If you’re ready to embark on a journey underground to experience some of the most captivating sights Majorca has to offer, grab your camera, seek out the help of a local, official tour guide and check out the following must-see caves and caverns:
Cuevas del Drach (Dragon Caves) in Porto Cristo
Cuevas del Drach, or Dragon Caves, are undeniably one of the most impressive caves you will find on the island of Majorca. The limestone caves have become world-famous since first being mapped back in the later 19th century by the French geologist, Edouard Martel. With four main chambers, formations of stalactites and stalagmites and one of the world’s largest underground lakes, Lake Martel, Cuevas del Drach has rightfully earned its spot as one of the top tourist destinations Majorca has to offer.
The 82-feet below the surface of the earth caves are accessible through guided tours, or you can venture into the unknown when the caves play host to daily classical music concerts. For an experience that’s sure to be one you share with friends for years to come, wander through the vaulted ceilings as you admire the cave’s canopies, deserving of their own recognition as nature’s works of art. Then, stop for a musical concert before finishing off your excursion on a little wooden rowboat that takes you over the waters of Lake Martel.
Cuevas de Campanet (Caves of Campanet) in the Tramuntana Mountains
Unlike other major caves in Majorca, Cuveas de Campanet, or Caves of Campanet, has remained largely uncommercialized, which means there are usually fewer visitors. If you’re looking for a must-have experience without fighting the crowds for that perfect photo, this may just be the cave for you! The caves have been open to the public since 1948, allowing locals and tourists alike to wander throughout its 3,000 square metres of stalactite and stalagmite formations that are sure to keep your camera at the ready.
Despite its significant size, the caves are still one of the smaller cave systems on the island of Majorca, but that doesn’t hold it back from making a name for itself. It’s also home to the longest and thinnest stalactites you’ll find anywhere in Europe, making it one for the must-see list for any cave explorer! Be prepared, however, because it also has a spooky feel due to the waxy, white rock formations that go down to nearly a thousand feet deep in some areas of the cave!
Cuevas de Artà near Canyamel Beach
For a more relaxed cave experience you may want to travel away from Porto Cristo and over towards Canyamel beach, where you can find Cuevas de Artà. These saves include numerous chambers, including Hell, Purgatory and Paradise. A guided tour takes you through its chambers, where you’ll find an Entrance Room the size of the nave of Palma’s La Seu Cathedral, the Queen of Paradise, a 72.2 feet tall stalagmite, in the Queen’s Room, and the opportunity to strike one of the resonator columns. With each strike, you’ll hear beautiful, bell-like sounds that resonate against the walls, making for a musical experience that’s sure to delight people of all ages!
Coves de Genova near Palma
Last, but certainly not least, just outside the Majorcan capital of Palma you will find Coves de Genova, a more laid-back excursion looking for those with a thirst for adventure that doesn’t put them out of their comfort zone. The caves are just as beautiful as the other systems you can find on the island, with majestic sights set about 118 feet below the ground, but there will be much smaller crowds fighting to get a look at the spectacularly formed columns. Smaller tour groups will allow you to truly appreciate the experience with a much more personalized adventure that’s sure to result in fantastic memories and just as extraordinary photos!