Are The Drach Caves Worth Visiting?

Last Updated on June 8 , 2024 by acrossthewaterwithchelsita

Visiting The Drach Caves is one of Mallorca’s top excursions, but are they really worth seeing or is it a tourist trap? Read on to find out and learn more about what they are, the story behind them, how to get there and what’s included in the ticket price.

What are the Drach Caves and why are they special?

The Drach Caves are a complex of underground caves which are almost 1,200 metres long and reach a maximum depth of 25 metres. Now, you might be wondering what’s so exciting about a bunch of underground caves, but the Drach Caves are actually pretty special. Here are three reasons why:

First of all, unlike other caves which are usually cold, wet and filled with bats (eek!), the Drach Caves maintain a balmy temperature of 17℃  – 21℃ all year round. Perfect to escape the summer heat or seek refuge on a rainy day. Yes, they do happen, even in Mallorca!

Another peculiarity about Drach Caves is that they conceal one of the largest underground lakes in the world, Lake Martel. This is where you’ll be treated to a ten-minute classical music concert that has been performed since 1935 as well as a short boat ride at the end of your visit. 

Thirdly, the ceiling-to-floor stalagmites and stalactites combined with the turquoise water from the lake makes the whole site stunning. While you can get an idea of what this fantasy landscape is like from photos, they’re way more impressive if you visit in person.

In fact, the Drach Caves are so otherworldly that it’s said they served as inspiration for Jules Verne’s science-fiction novel, Journey to the Centre of the Earth. I’m not familiar with that story, but I am a big Harry Potter fan and was reminded of the underground lake in the sea cave where Voldemort hid the locket Horcrux. Do you think J. K. Rowling has ever visited Mallorca?

Why are they called The Drach Caves?

“Drach” comes from the Latin word “draco”, meaning dragon. So the Drach Caves (Coves/Cuevas del Drach in Catalan and Spanish respectively) mean the dragon caves! And why are they called the Dragon Caves? Well, like any self-respecting tourist attraction, the Drach Caves have a story behind them. 

According to legend, the Drach caves contained valuable treasure that’s still hidden there today. In ancient times, pirates and buccaneers ventured into its long, dark passages in search of the precious booty. But their searches were in vain because a fierce dragon jealousy guarded the treasure from greedy raiders. This is giving major Hobbit vibes, right? In recent times nobody has seen anything resembling a dragon down there though, so what happened? 

It’s a mystery. My best guess is that it was finally killed when the caves were bought up in 1922. After all, it wouldn’t be a very good business model if all your visitors got killed by a dragon. But come to think of it, killing the beast would have meant passing up on the opportunity to charge visitors extra to see a live dragon. What do you think?

How can you get to The Drach Caves?

The Drach Caves are located on the eastern coast of Mallorca, in the town of Porto Cristo. The most comfortable way is to visit by car. The trip takes about an hour from Palma and there’s a free parking lot right outside the caves.

You can also take the 401 bus from Palma Estació Intermodal which gets you to Porto Cristo in 1 hour 15 mins. After that you’ll need to walk for 15 to 20 mins through the town to get to the caves. 

Of course there are also some travel agencies and companies that organise excursions if you don’t have your own car and would prefer not to take public transport.  

What else can you do in Porto Cristo?

The town of Porto Cristo is an old fishing village that’s quiet most months, especially compared to busier areas nearby like Cala Millor. I wouldn’t say Porto Cristo is particularly charming, but it’s a decent spot to stop for lunch or dinner following a tour of the caves. If you’re looking for recommendations, we had a late lunch at a fusion restaurant near the port called Fussio Lounge and it had great options for vegetarians!

Porto Cristo is also a good base for some of the beautiful beaches in the area. Aside from the small and sandy Playa de Porto Cristo, it’s also just a short drive from secluded coves like Cala Petita and Cala Varques.

How much does it cost to visit and what’s included?

Tickets for the one-hour visit cost €17.50 for adults, and €9.50 for children up to 12 years. (0-2 year olds are free), but you can save 1 Euro off your ticket price if you buy them online. This includes admission to the caves, a ten-minute classical music concert performed live by musicians on a boat in the lake, as well as a short (optional) boat ride. 

In terms of information about the history of the caves and how it was formed, there isn’t a lot of information provided at the site. This is a real shame but it’s also understandable as you can probably enjoy the caves more without stopping to read large multilingual signs. Plus, they would definitely look out of place in the caves and slow you down. On that note, the caves are usually pretty busy, but it’s well managed so I don’t think most people would feel rushed or claustrophobic.

So, is it worth visiting The Drach Caves?

In short, yes. 

In my personal opinion, unlike the tourist trap train to Sóller, I think that the Drach Caves are definitely worth visiting when you’re in Mallorca. Nature never disappoints, and these natural rock formations coupled with the gorgeous blue lakes really are special. Plus, visitors of all ages will enjoy them, making it a fun day out for the whole family.

The ticket prices could be cheaper, but it still manages to attract more than 600,000 visitors every year, so I guess most people are think it’s a fair price. Overall, I’d say it’s an interesting visit that you could turn into a full- or half day excursion if you combine it with doing other activities in the area. 

Happy exploring and let me know what you think if you visit!