Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the Caucasus and Morocco
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Jabal Al-Qarah and its caves | Caves that stay cool in summer and warm in winter, with striking rock passages. | About 15 km east of Hofuf, Al-Ahsa |
| Karaca Cave | A cave of colourful stalactites and stalagmites, one of Türkiye's most beautiful. | Gümüşhane, about two hours by car from Trabzon |
| Çal Cave | A long cave with a river running through it and lit walkways for visitors. | Near Trabzon |
| Prometheus Cave | Lit cave halls and a boat ride on an underground river. | Near Kutaisi, Georgia |
| The Caves of Hercules | An ocean cave with an opening shaped like the map of Africa. | Near Tangier, Morocco |
Europe
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Postojna Cave | A train takes you into a vast cave of stunning rock formations. | Slovenia |
| The Škocjan Caves | An underground canyon with a river running through it, on the World Heritage list. | South-west Slovenia |
| The Werfen ice cave | The world's largest ice cave, with halls of ice inside the mountain. | About 45 minutes from Salzburg; May to October |
| The Mer de Glace ice cave | A cave carved into the glacier afresh every year, reached by a new gondola and then steps. | Chamonix, with the Montenvers train |
| Benagil cave | A sea cave with an opening in its roof that lets the sun onto a small beach. | Algarve, Portugal; by licensed boat or guided kayak only |
Asia and New Zealand
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| Batu Caves | A huge cave in a limestone hill reached by 272 colourful steps, beneath a 42.7-metre golden statue. | North of Kuala Lumpur; free |
| Manjanggul Cave | A natural tunnel carved by lava, on the World Heritage list, reopened to visitors on 30 May 2026 after maintenance. | North-east Jeju Island |
| The Reed Flute Cave | A cave of rock formations lit in colour, one of Guilin's best-known sights for centuries. | Guilin, China |
| Sung Sot cave | Ha Long Bay's largest cave, with vast chambers and hanging rocks. | On bay tours, northern Vietnam |
| The Dambulla cave temple | Caves in a giant rock filled with ancient statues and paintings, on the World Heritage list. | Near Sigiriya, Sri Lanka |
| Waitomo Glowworm Caves | A boat on an underground river below a ceiling lit by thousands of glowworms. | New Zealand |
Tips before you go
- Bring a light jacket even in summer: caves are cool inside, and ice caves are below freezing.
- Wear non-slip shoes, as most caves have wet floors and some have many steps.
- Photography is banned in some caves or allowed without flash, so ask before you go in, and keep to the marked paths.
Hotels in Caves
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best-known caves in Saudi Arabia?
The caves of Jabal Al-Qarah east of Hofuf in Al-Ahsa, cool in summer and warm in winter.
What is the world's largest ice cave?
The Werfen ice cave near Salzburg in Austria, open from May to October.
Where can I see a cave lit by glowworms?
At the Waitomo Caves in New Zealand, on a boat ride along an underground river.
What are Türkiye's most beautiful caves?
Karaca Cave with its colourful stalactites and stalagmites, and Çal Cave with its underground river, both near Trabzon.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.