Experience
Caves & Caving
Caves are guided almost everywhere, so the tour decides the visit: its length, the footing, and how much of the system is open. Read the route before booking, and treat the temperature underground as the constant it is.
Where to stay →Best places to stay for caves & caving
Ranked by global recognition — how widely each place is read about across Wikipedia's language editions. Never paid placement, prices, or reviews.
Nazareth
Northern District · IsraelChurch domes rise over the hills at Nazareth, a city in the Northern District, the hometown of Jesus and a centre of Arab cultural life.
Matera
Basilicata · ItalyMatera is the capital of the Province of Matera in Basilicata, its oldest quarters cut into two cliffsides and known together as the Sassi.
Melilla
Melilla · SpainMelilla is an autonomous city of Spain on the African shore of the Mediterranean Sea, a walled port bordering Morocco, ringed by old forts.
Cáceres
Extremadura · SpainCáceres holds a UNESCO-listed old town of towers and palaces in the centre of Extremadura, capital of the province that carries its name.
Torquay
England · United KingdomTorquay is a Devon seaside town on the north shore of Tor Bay, the English Riviera resort of Torre Abbey, Kents Cavern, and long Channel views.
Benalmádena
Andalusia · SpainBenalmádena is a Costa del Sol town west of Málaga, between Torremolinos and Fuengirola, holding Castillo de Bil Bil and Castillo Monumento Colomares.Sassi di Matera
Matera · Basilicata · ItalyTwo cave quarters of Matera, in Basilicata, cut into rock and lived in since the Paleolithic period. Matera Cathedral stands among them.
Dunhuang
Gansu · ChinaDunhuang is a Silk Road oasis in the deserts of western China, famous for a cliff of painted Buddhist caves.
Khorramabad
Lorestan Province · IranKhorramabad is the capital of Lorestan in western Iran, an old town of the Zagros crowned by the Falak-ol-Aflak citadel.
Dunfermline
Scotland · United KingdomDunfermline is a city and former royal burgh in Fife, Scotland, the de facto capital of the Kingdom of Scotland from the 11th to the 15th century.
Dihok
Duhok Governorate · IraqDihok, capital of Duhok Governorate in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, is a Kurdish city of Kurds and Assyrians, ringed by mountains on the Tigris River.
Iserlohn
Nordrhein-Westfalen · GermanyIserlohn is the largest city of the Märkischer Kreis and of the Sauerland, known for Dechen Cave and the Danzturm on its wooded heights.26 more Caves & Caving destinations, by country
Morocco (1)
Italy (1)
Malaysia (3)
South Africa (1)
Palestine (4)
Lebanon (1)
Spain (1)
Nigeria (1)
Israel (1)
France (2)
United Kingdom (1)
Common questions
What should you take underground?
Warm layers and grip. Show caves hold a steady low temperature all year, so a summer visitor is usually the coldest person there, and wet limestone is slick under smooth soles. Anything more specialised belongs to caving proper — a different trip, with a different operator.