The Coves del Drach (Caves of Drach, Cuevas del Drach in Spanish) are show caves at Porto Cristo on Mallorca’s east coast: about 1,200 metres of passages full of stalactites, ending at Lake Martel, one of the largest underground lakes in the world, where a short live classical concert plays on the water. The visit takes about an hour. Tickets cost €18.50 for adults online or €19.50 at the ticket office, €11.50 online for children aged 3 to 12; book a timed slot on the official website (as of October 2026).
Right now in Coves del Drach
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- Mon 12 Oct National Day of Spain (Fiesta Nacional de España)
Tickets and tours for Coves del Drach
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What it is and why it matters
The caves formed in limestone laid down in a warm sea between about 11 and 5.3 million years ago. Rainwater seeping through cracks dissolved caverns and lakes, then slowly decorated them: the operator says stalactites and stalagmites grow just 0.2 to 1.6 millimetres a year. The caves were known for centuries, but the French speleologist Édouard-Alfred Martel, the father of modern cave science, explored them in September 1896 with Louis Armand and found the great lake that bears his name.
In 1935 the Catalan engineer Carles Buïgas, known as “the magician of light”, completed the electric lighting, and the lakeside concert began the same year. It has been one of Mallorca’s classic day trips ever since. For the rest of the island, see our Mallorca travel guide.
The visit
Groups enter at set times and follow a fixed route through the caves, about 1,200 metres long and down to 25 metres below ground. The tour is not guided, but staff keep the group moving, and you can download a brochure in several languages with a QR code. Along the way you pass the turquoise pools known as the Baths of Diana and dense ceilings of slender stalactites.
The route ends in an underground auditorium facing Lake Martel: 117 metres long, 30 metres wide and 4 to 12 metres deep. In the dark, a quartet (cello, harpsichord and two violins) plays four classical pieces for about ten minutes, followed by a lighting effect called “Dawn on the Lake”. Afterwards you cross the lake by boat or on foot over a bridge, at no extra cost.
Tickets and times (as of October 2026)
- Prices: adults 13 and over €18.50 online, €19.50 at the ticket office; children 3 to 12 €11.50 online, €12.50 at the office; under-3s free without a ticket. There are no other discounts.
- Booking: online or on the official app, up to about 30 days ahead; not by phone. You can show tickets on your phone.
- No changes or refunds, and if you miss your time slot you lose the ticket. Arrive 15 minutes early: the entrance is a 200-metre walk from the car park.
- Tour times: 16 March to 31 October at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00; 1 November to 15 March at 10:30, 12:00, 14:00 and 15:30. Closed on 25 December and 1 January. The website has shown other sets of times too, so check when you book.
- Boat crossing: a notice on the operator’s home page says the boat trip is suspended, while the tour pages still offer it; the concert goes ahead either way.
- Facilities: free parking, picnic areas, a cafeteria, a shop and adapted toilets in the main building.
Getting there
The caves are on the edge of Porto Cristo, in the municipality of Manacor, about an hour’s drive from Palma. TIB bus 401 runs from Palma via Manacor to Porto Cristo and Cala Millor, and the caves’ website lists an express Palma – Cuevas del Drach departure at 11:20; check times on tib.org. The harbour of Porto Cristo is a 15-minute walk away, and there is a taxi rank at the caves. Many hotels on the east coast sell excursions that include the visit.
When to go
Rain doesn’t affect the visit, which makes the caves a good wet-day plan, but that is also when they are busiest. The operator says the first tour of the morning and the last two of the afternoon are normally the quietest. In summer, book a few days ahead; in winter, there are fewer tours a day.
Rules and accessibility
- Not wheelchair accessible: the route has steps with handrails, and prams can’t be used inside.
- Photos: allowed without flash, but not during the concert; no tripods, selfie sticks or professional cameras.
- Dress: no bare feet, no bare chests. The caves stay at 17–21 °C with 90–95% humidity, so a light layer is enough.
- Don’t touch the formations or leave the path, and walk at the group’s pace.
- No food, drink, smoking or vaping inside; no pets except guide dogs; no luggage or large bags. Children under 12 must be with an adult.
Combine it with
After the caves, walk down to Porto Cristo’s harbour and beach for lunch, or drive north to the long sands of Cala Millor and the coves around Cala Ratjada. In Palma, pair it with the Palma Cathedral, and on a dry day head for the mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana. More ideas are in our boat trips and beaches guides.
Coves del Drach FAQ
How much are tickets for the Coves del Drach?
€18.50 for adults and €11.50 for children aged 3 to 12 when you buy online, or €1 more each at the ticket office; under-3s are free (as of October 2026).
How long is the visit to the Caves of Drach?
About an hour, including the ten-minute concert on Lake Martel. Allow another 30 minutes for parking, the 200-metre walk to the entrance and the exit.
Do I need to book the Caves of Drach in advance?
It is wise in summer and at weekends: online tickets guarantee your time slot and are cheaper. Bookings open up to about 30 days ahead and can’t be changed or refunded.
Can you take photos in the Coves del Drach?
Yes, without flash, except during the concert. Tripods, selfie sticks and professional cameras are not allowed.
Are the Caves of Drach accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs?
No. The route has steps with handrails, so wheelchairs and prams can’t be used inside. The bar, shop and toilets above ground have ramps.
Sources
Researched and last reviewed by TravelerCenter on 4 October 2026. Prices, times, rules, history and cave data come from the official Cuevas del Drach website; bus routes from TIB. Tour times and the boat crossing have changed in recent years, so check the official site when you book.
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Rates: ECB · Holidays: Nager.Date · Costs: World Bank ICP and price levels · © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODBL) · Wikidata (CC0)