There are caves and there are CAVES… the ones that make you gape in awe and fill you with an immense sense of wonder. I’ve visited many caves on my travels around the world and only a handful of them fall into this latter category. The caves of Nerja are one of them. Located near the town of Nerja in the province of Málaga in Spain, the caves are a series of caverns that stretch almost 5 kilometers. Discovered by accident by a group of friends in 1959, the caves have since become one of the top natural attractions in Spain.

Inside the caves of Nerja

The caves of Nerja comprise several humongous caverns, one of which is open to the public. This ‘Show Gallery’ is equipped with trails and staircases that make it easy and comfortable for visitors to see the caves. Once inside, I was simply bowled over by the fantasy-like forest of stalagmites and stalactites. It was like I’d landed in a surreal dream!

Hall of the Cataclysm

There are many amazing structures to admire in the cave but one will definitely grab your attention and keep you staring for ages: the massive column in the Hall of the Cataclysm. This column, the largest of its kind in the world (with a height of 33 meters), is absolutely awe-inspiring!

In 2012, scientists discovered paintings of seals. These paintings are presumed to have been created by Neanderthalers some 40,000+ years ago! The paintings are still being studied and are not accessible for the general public.

Getting to the Cuevas de Nerja

The easiest way to get there is by car. The caves (Cuevas de Nerja) are located just off the Maro exit (295) of the A7/E15 coastal highway that connects Malaga and Almeria. The drive from Málaga takes less than an hour. There are also regular buses from Nerja and Málaga.

Tip: wear sturdy shoes with a good grip as some of the trails/stairs can be wet and slippery.