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.