Caves of Drach Day Trip with Optional Caves of Hams Mallorca

The Caves of Drach

The Caves of Drach, or Coves del Drac, lie on the edge of Porto Cristo and are the most visited caves in Mallorca. Their name means the Caves of the Dragon, from old legends of a dragon guarding treasure inside. The four connected chambers were mapped in detail at the end of the 19th century, and the visitor route of more than a kilometre leads past forests of stalactites, columns and reflecting pools lit to show their shapes and colours.

The visit lasts about an hour, along a well-made path with steps and handrails. The temperature stays around 21 degrees all year, so it is comfortable in any season. Many travellers ask whether the Caves of Drach are worth visiting: with their scale, their colours and the concert at the end, they are one of the essential sights of any Mallorca holiday.

The live concert on the underground lake

The climax of the Caves of Drach visit is the underground lake, one of the largest in the world open to visitors, about 170 metres long. You sit on tiered seats in the dark while the lake slowly lights up, as if the sun were rising underground. Then musicians glide across the water in small illuminated boats, playing classical pieces whose sound echoes around the cave.

The concert lasts about ten minutes and is one of the most memorable moments of any trip to Mallorca. After the performance, visitors can usually cross a section of the lake by boat or walk out along the path. Keep your phone ready for photos before and after the concert, but please do not use flash, which spoils the effect for everyone.

The Caves of Hams

With our default full-day option, you also visit the Caves of Hams, a few minutes away on the Manacor road. Discovered in 1905, they were among the first caves in Spain to be lit by electricity. Their name comes from the Mallorcan word for fish hooks, after the curved, hook-shaped stalactites, and many of their formations are snow-white and as fine as needles.

The route of about 850 metres crosses 15 chambers and ends at the Sea of Venice, a still underground lake where a short classical music and light show is performed. Seeing both cave systems on the same day lets you compare two very different underground worlds: the grand scale of Drach and the delicate detail of Hams. A Caves of Drach and Hams tour is the most complete way to explore the area.

Porto Cristo, the harbour town

Porto Cristo is a pretty fishing and harbour town built around a deep, narrow inlet on the east coast. During your free time you can walk along the marina, relax on the small sandy beach in the centre, or have lunch at one of the seafront restaurants, as lunch is not included in the tour.

The town grew in the 19th century as the port of the inland town of Manacor and became famous when the caves were opened to visitors. Today it keeps a relaxed atmosphere, with an aquarium, cafés and a short coastal path along the cliffs. If you are planning a Porto Cristo day trip, this tour combines the town with both caves without the need to drive or park.

Pearl workshop near Manacor

On the way, the coach stops at a pearl workshop in the Manacor area, a town known for its long tradition of making artificial pearls since the early 20th century. Here you can see how the pearls are produced, layer by layer, and browse a large showroom of jewellery. There is no obligation to buy.

Manacor is the second largest town in Mallorca and an important centre for furniture making and crafts. The stop is a short, interesting break between the transfer and the caves. Hotel pickup takes place between about 8:00 and 9:20 from Palma, Can Pastilla, Arenal, Cala Major, Portals, Palmanova, Magaluf, Santa Ponsa, Paguera and Camp de Mar, so you can relax while the guide handles the logistics of the day.