Caves of Artà in Mallorca

Stalactites and stalagmites inside the Caves of Artà

The Caves of Artà, or Coves d’Artà, sit on the Cap Vermell headland above Canyamel Bay. Despite the name, they’re in the municipality of Capdepera. We especially like the contrast between the dark chambers and the light pouring through the enormous cave mouth as you come back out to the sea.

From Palma, follow the Ma-15 towards Artà, then follow signs for Canyamel and the caves. Canyamel beach is nearby if you want to spend longer in the area.

A staircase built for Queen Isabella II

The stone staircase you see on arrival was built in 1860 for Queen Isabella II’s trip to Mallorca. She never made it inside. King Alfonso XIII did visit in 1904, according to the official history of the caves.

Stone staircase at the Caves of Artà in Canyamel

The tour starts near the ticket office, through a tunnel into the entrance hall. You’ll come out through the natural opening and down the big staircase at the end.

What to see inside the caves

The guided tour lasts 35 to 40 minutes and covers just over 700 metres. After the entrance hall and the Hall of Columns, you reach the Queen of the Columns, a stalagmite around 17 metres tall that rises from the middle of the chamber.

Rock formations inside the Caves of Artà

A reddish light marks the way into Hell, one of the largest chambers. Columns, stalactites and stalagmites fill the room, which is also where the short sound and light show takes place. The tour continues through Purgatory and past the Theatre and Organ to the Hall of Flags. Some formations look like wings, and another resembles an elephant.

Before leaving, look out for the diamond stone, a cluster of crystals that catch the light. Back in daylight, the cave mouth frames Canyamel Bay. This time you do take the grand staircase, and you can feel a little like royalty on the way down.

View of Canyamel Bay from the exit of the Caves of Artà

The caves formed in limestone that was laid down in an ancient sea during the Jurassic period.

Visiting the Caves of Artà with children

There’s plenty of room to look up and play at spotting shapes in the rocks. The Hell chamber is dark and has sound effects, so give children a heads-up if they’re sensitive to either. There are steps and damp patches on the route. Shoes with good grip are handy, and you’ll need to leave pushchairs outside.

Tickets, opening times and how to get there

Location	Carretera de les Coves, Canyamel, Capdepera.
Duration and languages	35–40 minutes. Guided tours in Spanish, English, French and German.
Opening times	Hours vary by season. See the official opening times and ticket prices.
Tickets	Paid admission, with rates for residents and children. Under-sevens go free.
Parking	Free parking by the caves.
Accessibility	The route has steps and is unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Photography	Allowed without flash.
Contact	+34 971 841 293.
Temperature	Between 17 and 22 °C, with high humidity.

More caves to visit in Mallorca

For a visit in the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana, try the Campanet Caves. You can explore at your own pace and combine the visit with the Ses Fonts Ufanes walk. In Porto Cristo, the Drach Caves include a concert on Lake Martel. The Hams Caves, also near Porto Cristo, have fishhook-shaped formations and a projection beside an underground lake.