Located in Porto Cristo , on the eastern coast of Mallorca, the Drach Caves are a tourist attraction that you cannot miss if you have chosen the largest island of the Balearic Islands as a tourist destination.
They are especially recommended for those days when the weather is not good. You leave the beach aside and prepare to enter some caves that were already known in the Middle Ages.
A little history
MF Will was the first to explore them in 1880, while EA Martel discovered in 1896 that there was a lake there. This lake bears precisely his name, and it is one of the main attractions of the Coves del Drach.
Between 1922 and 1935 all the necessary works were carried out so that anyone could visit them. A new entrance access was opened, paths were laid out and stairs were placed. In addition, the engineer Mr. Buigas was in charge of lighting them using electricity in the most subtle way possible.
The tour
The visit lasts about an hour . You travel about 1,200 meters at a slow pace, since it is worth stopping to enjoy the formations that hang from the ceiling (stalactites) and those that arise from the ground (stalagmites). The former usually grow at the rate of one centimeter every 100 years.
The cave has a depth of about 25 meters, while Lake Martel measures 170 meters and has a depth that varies between 4 and 12 meters. It is precisely at the lake where the tour ends. There is offered a spectacular concert of classical music that lasts 10 minutes. A quartet interprets several pieces live while the visitor contemplates an exhibition of lighting effects that simulate the sunrise within the lake. Then, if desired, you can take a boat ride or across the bridge.
recommendations
– If you are going with a baby, it is better to carry it in your arms, since the path is not designed to carry a stroller.
– Wear shoes without heels and with non-slip soles .
– You can record and film the tour without flash. No photography or recording is allowed during the concert.
Schedules
– From November 1 to March 15: 10:45 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
– From March 16 to October 31: 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
They are closed on December 25 and January 1.
Prices
– Adults: 14.50 euros
– Children from 3 to 12 years old: 7.50 euros
– Babies up to 2 years: Free
They are collective visits , but in no case guided. You can buy your ticket online or at the Cuevas del Drach ticket offices starting at 9 in the morning of the same day. Places are limited, so the start time is marked on each ticket. The least crowded hours in high season are 10 in the morning and 4 and 5 in the afternoon.
Recommended article: What to visit in Mallorca in addition to its beaches.