Europe is a spectacular continent due to its diversity, culture, and nature. It boasts a large number of caves that impress the millions of people who visit them each year. Today we’ll show you some of the most important: the longest, the most visited, and the most special. Whether you’re a caving expert or simply want to discover the unique and special environments that make up Europe’s most important caves, today we’ll show you which places you should visit.
Postojna, the largest and most visited cave in Europe
Located in Slovenia, it is no less than 24 kilometers long, making it the longest cave in Europe. This karst treasure hides spectacular formations such as the 16-meter-high Giants.
Postojna Cave is also the most visited cave in all of Europe, with more than 40 million people wandering through these chambers each year.
This cave is not only surprising for its size, but also for its famous “dragons.” When strange newts were discovered in this cave in the 17th century, a legend spread that they were dragon offspring. In reality, they are almost translucent aquatic salamanders with a great capacity for adaptation and survival in the most extreme conditions. There is evidence to support this: they live up to 100 years and can go up to 12 years without eating. And it’s not just these creatures that inhabit its waters. This cave is also known for having the greatest biological diversity in the world.
Skocjan Caves, with the world’s largest underground canyon
These caverns, discovered in 1884, have been a World Heritage Site since 1986. They contain the largest underground canyon in the world known to date.
A walk through these caves will give you the chance to admire the immensity of nature underground. A tunnel leads to the Silent Cave, with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. The tour continues through the Great Hall, where you can see two enormous stalactites, known as the Organ and the Giants.
Breidamerkurjökull Cave, the Ice Cave in Iceland
In the Vatnajökull glacier, which covers almost 8% of Iceland, various caves have formed and are constantly changing. One of the most beautiful and accessible is Breidamerkurjökull, although you must reach it in a special vehicle with giant wheels.
The visit takes place between meltwater filled with ash and volcanic rock, and walls of blue ice. The ice stalactites and stalagmites are an unforgettable image. It is only accessible between November and early April, when the cold still keeps the ice compact and there is no risk of collapse for people.
Gaping Gill, with a 100-meter waterfall
It’s one of the largest caverns in the United Kingdom, but what makes it truly special is the waterfall of over 100 meters that drops from Fell Beck through a hole in the ceiling. Unfortunately, this spectacle can only be seen twice a year, when cavers install a winch at the vertical entrance.
Bisevo Blue Cave, the incomparable light of the Adriatic
Sea caves have a special charm due to the magic of their boat access and the interplay of light, sound, and color. It’s a gift for all the senses.
The best time to visit is when the sun is at its highest, around midday, to enhance the blue reflection of the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea that bathes it.
Hams Caves, with the largest lake in the world
In Spain, we also have several spectacular caves, such as the Hams Caves, located south of Mallorca. It is made up of three interconnected caves: the Classic Cave, the Blue Cave, and the Round Cave. In one of its caves lies the Venice Sea Lake, where visitors can enjoy a live music concert.
In short, in Europe we find unique and spectacular caves where you’ll discover the wonders hidden underground by nature, revealing much of the local history and culture.