Best cave destinations in Europe
Best cave destinations in Europe
Elaborate ice cavern networks and historic prehistoric grottoes in Europe
Europe's cave systems range from the decorated prehistoric caves of the southwest and the vast karst networks of the central mountain zones to the lava tubes of the Atlantic islands and the ice caves of the northern volcanic regions. The continent contains some of the world's most significant cave environments both geologically and archaeologically, with prehistoric art, exceptional formations and underground river systems distributed across a well-developed show cave infrastructure.
The prehistoric decorated caves of the southwest represent a category of experience unlike any other, with original Palaeolithic art in natural cave settings accessible at a small number of sites under strictly controlled visiting conditions. The continent's karst cave systems offer a parallel experience built around extraordinary stalactite and stalagmite formations, with show cave infrastructure of considerable quality across several countries supporting accessible visits without specialist equipment.
Access to the most significant prehistoric sites is strictly limited and advance booking is essential, with some sites requiring reservations months ahead. Seasonal flooding affects access at many karst cave systems and checking current conditions before travel is advisable. Adventure caving programmes are available across the continent's most developed karst regions for visitors seeking experiences beyond standard show cave formats.
Lists by region
Town in Slovenia
Postojna
Caves, Castles and Karst Wonders
Tours run all year and the air inside stays about 50°F in every season. Cave rails were laid in 1872 and a small train still carries visitors about 2 miles in. The Concert Hall inside has room for up to 10,000 people. Pale salamanders called olms live in an aquarium on the tour.
Region in United Kingdom
Scotland
Mystic Highlands and Historic Castles
The Gaelic name for Fingal's Cave is An Uamh Bhinn, meaning melodious cave. Mendelssohn visited in 1829 and wrote the Hebrides Overture. Some cruises from April to September land visitors on Staffa in calm weather. Smoo Cave near Durness has a huge entrance about 50 feet high.
Country
Spain
Where history meets Mediterranean charm
A red disk in El Castillo cave is over 40,000 years old, much older than Egypt's pyramids. Altamira cave is closed to protect its paintings, so a full replica nearby shows them. In Mallorca's Drach caves, visits end with a classical concert played from rowboats on Lake Martel.
Country
Austria
Alpine beauty meets imperial grandeur
Ice coats the floor, walls and ceiling of the Large Ice Chapel in the Dachstein Giant Ice Cave. A cable car from Obertraun leaves a 20-minute walk to the entrance. The nearby Mammoth Cave has about 42 miles of mapped passages. The ice cave is open from May to October.
Country
France
Where culture meets natural diversity
In 1940 teenager Marcel Ravidat followed his dog into a hole and found Lascaux. The paintings of bulls and horses are about 17,000 to 22,000 years old. The original cave closed to the public in 1963 to protect the art. Lascaux IV, a full replica, opened in December 2016 nearby.
Country
Italy
Where history meets dolce vita
Sunlight shining through an underwater opening turns Capri's Blue Grotto glowing blue. Visitors lie flat in a small rowboat to pass an entrance about three feet high. Frasassi Caves in Marche have a hall called the Ancona Abyss, about 650 feet tall. Grotta Gigante near Trieste has a main hall about 350 feet tall.
Country
Portugal
Where history meets coastal charm
The limestone hills of Serra de Aire are about 90 minutes north of Lisbon by car. Mira de Aire is the largest show cave in Portugal, with stairs past lit stalactites and pools. Nearby Alvados and Santo António caves are also open to visitors. The caves stay cool all year.
Cave in Slovenia
Škocjan Caves
Majestic underground cathedral of Slovenia
Martel's Chamber has 2.2 million cubic metres of space, one of Europe's largest cave halls. The Reka River vanishes underground and flows about 21 miles before it reaches springs in Italy. UNESCO added the caves to its World Heritage list in 1986. Guided tours follow a path through huge halls above the roaring river.
Cave in Salzburg
Eisriesenwelt
Underground wonder beneath alpine peaks
Locals avoided this cave until Salzburg scientist Anton Posselt explored the first 200 metres in 1879. Alexander von Mörk led expeditions from 1912 and his ashes now rest inside the cave. It opened to visitors in 1920 and has about 26 miles of passages. Ice covers only the first 0.6 miles.
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