The dragon of Drach in Porto Cristo: the most famous stalactite caves in Mallorca
The dragon caves Cuevas del Drach, on the edge of the picturesque port city of Porto Cristo, on the east coast of Mallorca, are one of the most popular destinations on the island. They belong to the largest stalactite caves in Europe and leave visitors in speechless with a spectacular world of surreal rock formations, imposing stalactites, breath-taking colours, and one of the largest underground lakes in the world. The tour of the approximately 1,200-metre-long cave takes about an hour. The highlight is a boat trip on Lake Martel, accompanied by light effects and a live concert with classical music.
The history of the underground world of the Coves del Drac
The Cuevas del Drach or Caves of Drach date back to the Miocene and have been known since the Middle Ages. They are four connected caves: the Cave of the French, the Luis Salvador Cave, the White Cave and the Black Cave. This fascinating natural spectacle was created by water that has penetrated into the rocks. The caves were explored by M. F. Will in 1880 and by E. A. Martel in 1896. Martel discovered the lake, which was then named after him. The concert on Lake Martel has been taking place since 1935. Between 1922 and 1935, the caves were prepared for visitors and an electric lighting system was installed.
The tour of the dragon caves in Mallorca
The tour lasts about an hour, during which visitors travel 1,200 metres and descend up to 25 meters. A special highlight awaits directly at the entrance of the caves. The “flag” is a breath-taking rock formation that presents various colours due to its mineral composition and resembles a flag waving in the wind. The visit continues in the “Baths of Diana”. These underground lakes leave visitors awestruck with their turquoise-blue waters reminiscent of the South Sea. Afterwards, the tour crosses the "little lake" and passes a series of extraordinary rock formations. One of them is called "Monte Nevado" because it evokes a snow-covered mountain landscape. The constantly changing play of colours in the dragon cave and sophisticated lighting give the Coves del Drac an especially impressive atmosphere. Inside, the temperature is 21°C and the humidity level 80%.
The highlight of the Cuevas del Drach: a boat tour with live music
The absolute highlight of the visit to the Caves of Drach is the boat trip over the underground Lake Martel, the largest underground lake in Europe. The 10-minute live concert and the light effects that imitate a sunrise over the lake are an incredible spectacle for the senses. They accompany the boat trip on the lake. The classical concerto is played by a quartet composed of a cello, harpsichord and two violins. If you get a bit seasick, you can also cross the lake on foot via a bridge and enjoy the spectacle from there. The extraordinary combination of natural phenomena, music and light makes the visit to the Coves Drac a unique experience for the whole family. Children especially enjoy the tour.
The dragon caves in Porto Cristo: a special experience for children
A visit to the dragon caves in Porto Cristo is an exciting experience for children. The legend of the dragon guarding treasures in the cave makes the visit a real adventure. We don't advise you to take a stroller, since there are many stairs in the cave.
Useful information when visiting the Coves del Drac in Mallorca
Admission to the caves costs EUR 16.00 for adults and children older than 13 and EUR 9.00 for children between 2 and 12 years of age. If you buy the tickets online, you can get a discount of EUR 1.00 and choose the time slot for your visit.
The Coves del Drac offers free parking, gardens, souvenir shops and swimming facilities, as well as a picnic area, bar, bus stop and ATM.
You can take videos and photos on the tour, but not during the concert. However, you cannot use a flash or any other means of illumination. Tripods are forbidden in the entire area of the Coves Drac in order avoid blocking passages.
During the high season, visits are usually less crowded at 10 a.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Porto Cristo is only about 500 metres away from the caves. You can book boat trips along the east coast of Mallorca from the beach next to the harbour.
From Palma to Porto Cristo and to the dragon caves
The caves are about 70 kilometres away from Palma and can be reached by car or bus. The bus takes about 1.5 hours.
Destinations near the Coves del Drac
Since the visit to the dragon caves in Mallorca takes about an hour, you can combine the tour with excursions to the surrounding area. The Cuevas Drach are located on the edge of the charming and idyllic port and fishing town of Porto Cristo. Here, you can take a leisurely stroll around the picturesque old harbour, the marina and the narrow alleys with historic buildings. There are numerous restaurants and shops in the village. Crystal-clear water and gorgeous beaches near the Coves del Drac allow for relaxed sunbathing and water activities. You can even dive here and enjoy trips on a glass-bottom boat. The entire region of Mallorca is characterised by its relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.
Discover the Enchanting Dragon Caves Porto Cristo
Embark on an unforgettable journey to the Dragon Caves Porto Cristo, fondly known as the Cuevas del Drach. These captivating stalactite caves are nestled on the picturesque outskirts of Porto Cristo, a charming port city on the east coast of Mallorca. As one of the largest stalactite caves in Europe, they offer a spectacular array of surreal rock formations, imposing stalactites, breath-taking colours, and one of the world’s largest underground lakes.
The Fascinating History of Dragon Caves Porto Cristo
The Dragon Caves Porto Cristo, or Cuevas del Drach, date back to the Miocene era and have been known since the Middle Ages. They comprise four interconnected caves: the Cave of the French, the Luis Salvador Cave, the White Cave, and the Black Cave. These caves were explored by M. F. Will in 1880 and by E. A. Martel in 1896, who discovered the now-named Lake Martel. The caves were prepared for visitors between 1922 and 1935, with an electric lighting system installed to illuminate the caves’ awe-inspiring features.
The Unforgettable Journey through the Dragon Caves Porto Cristo
The tour through the Dragon Caves Porto Cristo lasts approximately an hour, during which visitors traverse 1200 metres and descend up to 25 meters. The tour begins with a breath-taking rock formation known as the flag, which presents various colours due to its mineral composition. The journey continues in the Baths of Diana, where the turquoise-blue waters of the underground lakes leave visitors in awe. The tour then crosses a small lake and passes a series of extraordinary rock formations, one of which is called Monte Nevado due to its resemblance to a snow-covered mountain landscape.
Experience the Magic of a Boat Tour with Live Music
The absolute highlight of the visit to the Dragon Caves is the boat trip over the underground Lake Martel, the largest underground lake in Europe. The 10-minute live concert and the light effects that imitate a sunrise over the lake are an incredible spectacle for the senses. The classical concerto is played by a quartet composed of a cello, harpsichord, and two violins. For those who prefer to stay on solid ground, they can cross the lake on foot via a bridge and enjoy the spectacle from there.
A visit to the Dragon Caves in Porto Cristo is an exciting experience for children. The legend of the dragon guarding treasures in the cave makes the visit a real adventure. The caves also offer free parking, gardens, souvenir shops, and swimming facilities, as well as a picnic area, bar, bus stop, and ATM. The caves are about 70 kilometres away from Palma and can be reached by car or bus.
After your visit to the caves, you can extend your adventure with excursions to the surrounding area. The charming and idyllic port and fishing town of Porto Cristo is just a stone’s throw away. Here you can take a leisurely stroll around the picturesque old harbour, the marina, and the narrow alleys with historic buildings. There are numerous restaurants and shops in the village, and the crystal-clear water and gorgeous beaches near the Dragon Caves allow for relaxed sunbathing and water activities.
