The Cueva de Nerja cave complex is located on the outskirts of the popular resort of Nerja and is one of the most visited tourist sites in Spain. The caves were excavated in the limestone massif by water about 5 million years ago, the total length of the cave system is about 5 km and the volume of the caves exceeds 260,000 ^km3. About a third of the caves are open to the public.

A visit to the Nerja caves will absolutely amaze you, as few other places in the world have such huge and massively accessible cave temples.

The largest stalagmite and the play of colours

Moving around the caves is possible on wide walkways and staircases that can accommodate a large number of people. The huge cave temples are lit by spotlights of different colours, creating a beautiful but subtle play of lights. Cueva de Nerja is home to thousands upon thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. These combine to create karst columns called stalagnates.

From 1998 to 2010, the Nerja Cave was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the tallest stalagmite in the world, measuring 32 metres. Later, a taller stalagmite was discovered in Asia.

The largest cave hall, reaching a height of more than 68 metres, has been the venue of an annual classical music and ballet festival since 1961.

Admission and opening hours

Nerja Cave is open daily from 10:00-16:30.

The basic entrance fee is 12 eur, if you want to get to the cave by tourist train from Nerja, you pay a total of 16 eur.

The caves can also be visited for free, but entry is limited to 45 people only. You need to book online for a specific date, ideally at least one month in advance. Free entry is always possible at 9:30am Monday to Friday.

Official information and online ticket purchase: entradas.cuevadenerja.es,

How to get there

Cueva de Nerja is located in the eastern suburbs of Nerja. There is a bus from the city centre to the caves every hour for the price of 1 eur, or you can use the excursion train for 4 eur, which also runs once an hour.

There is of course also free parking right next to the cave, the entrance is just a short distance (about 350 meters) from the A7 motorway.