Hams Caves in Porto Cristo, Mallorca

Rock formations inside the Hams Caves in Porto Cristo

At the Hams Caves, near Porto Cristo, the visit starts among plants and ends beside an underground lake. What we enjoyed as a family was how often the scene changes: first an open-air garden, then films projected onto the rock, and finally the formations that give the caves their name.

Pere Caldentey discovered the caves in 1905 while looking for onyx. They opened to visitors in 1910 and were pioneers in electric lighting, which reached the caves before it reached the town of Porto Cristo.

The Round Cave and the Blue Cave

The visit begins with a walk down into the Round Cave, a cavern open to the sky. We think it’s worth taking a moment to look around the garden before heading inside. The Blue Cave has a short film called Discovering the Past, about Mallorca and the discovery of the caves.

Next comes Genesis, which tells the story of life from the Big Bang. The rock face itself becomes the screen. You can already spot some of the formations in this chamber.

Rock formations and lighting inside the Hams Caves

The Classic Cave and the Sea of Venice

The route through the Classic Cave takes in twelve galleries. With children, it’s fun to look for animals, castles and other shapes in the rock. Look out for the curved formations called hams, the Mallorcan word for fishhooks and the source of the caves’ name.

The part we remember most is the underground lake known as the Sea of Venice. There’s a projection set to classical music beside the water. Allow about an hour for the whole visit. You go round in a group, with staff accompanying you and setting the pace.

Visiting the Hams Caves with children

There are plenty of steps and some damp surfaces. We’d wear shoes with good grip and take a light layer if you tend to feel the cold. It’s around 20°C inside. If you’re bringing a baby, you can leave the pushchair by the ticket office and use a carrier. The projections provide several breaks along the way.

Afterwards you can stop for a drink or use the picnic area nearby. If you have a choice of dates, we prefer going outside the busiest months so we can take our time.

Tickets, opening times and how to get there

Location	Ma-4020 road from Manacor to Porto Cristo, km 11.
Opening times	Opening days and time slots vary by season. See the official visitor information.
Tickets	Choose a date and time on the official booking site. Child tickets are for ages 3 to 12. Under-threes go free, up to two per adult. Residents can show proof of residence at the ticket office for a discount.
Parking and bus	Free parking. If travelling by bus, check both directions on TIB route 401. The arrival stop is Dinosaurland – Coves Hams.
Accessibility	There are steps underground and the route is unsuitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Facilities	Toilets, baby changing facilities, a shop and places to eat. Photos are allowed without flash, tripods or selfie sticks.
Contact	+34 971 820 988.

Dinosaurland and the combined Dinos & Caves ticket

Dinosaur models at Dinosaurland next to the Hams Caves

Next to the entrance is Dinosaurland Mallorca, an outdoor park with more than a hundred life-size dinosaur models, some of which move. Our park guide explains what to expect in the Explorer Zone, how much time to allow and what to do with children.

To visit both in one day, book the Dinos & Caves combination ticket and choose your cave time slot. The park is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. If you’re taking a baby into the caves, bring a carrier for the underground section.

Hams Caves or Drach Caves?

Both are near Porto Cristo. At Hams, look for the fishhook formations and the projections. At the Drach Caves, you get a live concert and the option of crossing Lake Martel by boat. For a visit in a different part of Mallorca, try the Caves of Artà in Canyamel or the Campanet Caves at the foot of the Serra de Tramuntana.