There’s nothing that compares to the feeling of exploring nature. While many enjoy mountain hikes or diving, many people forget that caves are mysterious and beautiful at the same time.
If you’re eager to visit caves that will leave a lasting impression, you’re in the right place. The best caves are on this list, and each one has its own unique charm.
Best Caves to Visit in the World
It’s important to remember that caves are mysterious places that should be explored with a guide or with the utmost caution. No matter how experienced you are, you should always explore them carefully.
While many travelers love visiting various US and Canadian caves and caverns, this list will share caves that you can explore beyond North America.
Caves you’ll find in this article include:
- The Blue Grotto
- The Cave of Crystals
- Fingal’s Cave
- Batu Caves
- Reed Flute Cave
- Benagil Caves
- Melidoni Cave
The Blue Grotto, Malta
Blue Grotto Cave
The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) is a sea cave on the island of Malta. It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Malta. It’s also the perfect place for rock climbing and scuba diving, which are two completely opposite activities. Its name tells how magical and mysterious this place is due to the wide range of colors you can find reflected in the water and on the cave’s walls.
The Cave of Crystals, Mexico
The Cave of Crystals, located in Naica, Mexico, is one of the most beautiful and unique caves in the world. The crystals that you see inside this cave are made up entirely of white quartz and are found due to the high humidity and temperatures found inside. These harsh conditions mean that only certain types of organisms can survive there. The crystals grow over thousands of years due to evaporation and condensation from water vapor in the air or seeping through cracks in rocks above ground level.
Mexico’s Caribbean coast hides plenty of mysterious caves with shocking findings. So while you’re in the country, explore as much of it as possible.
Fingal’s Cave, Scotland
Fingal’s Cave
This cave is just one of a series of caves on the Island of Staffa. The name comes from Fionn mac Cumhaill, a mythical Scottish warrior known as Finn McCool.
The cave is formed entirely from hexagonally jointed basalt columns, similar to those found in Iceland. It was made famous by Felix Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture (also known as “Fingal’s Cave”), which he wrote after visiting the island in 1829 and hearing accounts about it from local people.
Batu Caves, Malaysia
Batu Caves
Batu Caves is a limestone hill formed by an extinct stalactite cavern located in a suburb of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. According to local legend, the caves were created when Lord Murugan struck his spear into the ground, causing water to gush forth to appease a passing Hindu god who was suffering from thirst.
The area has been used for worship by the local Buddhist population for centuries and was officially designated as sacred by King Chulalongkorn. It became one of Malaysia’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting over 1 million worldwide visitors annually.
Reed Flute Cave, China
Reed Flute Cave
The Reed Flute Cave is a karst cave in Guilin, China. It’s the largest and most spectacular cave in Guilin and is accessible by boat along the Reed Flute River. The entrance of the cave has been described as a big stone gate, which is as tall as a two-story building, with two stone pillars standing on each side of it.
The name “Reed Flute” comes from its many stalactites and stalagmites that resemble bamboo shoots or reeds.
The Reed Flute Cave was formed by the Reed Flute River over millions of years by dissolving limestone rocks through carbonic acid. The result is a vast network of underground tunnels.
Benagil Sea Cave, Algarve, Portugal
The Benagil Sea Caves (Gruta de Benagil) are located in on the southern coast of Algarve, Portugal. This sea cave is most notable for its top opening (called the “eye”) which allows sunlight to pass through to create a spotlight on the sand and rocks.
The beach cave is accessible by boat or kayak. You can easily rent a kayak, SUP board and take yourself there, or join a boat tour to get to the caves safely.
Benagil Caves
Melidoni Caves, Crete, Greece
Crete is the biggest Greek island and has over 2,000 caves.
One of the most visited caves is the Melidoni cave, also called “Gerondospilios.” It was once used for religious ceremonies and during the Minoan Civilization, it was a place of worship for Talos, the bronze giant guardian of Crete who protected the island of Crete from its enemies.
It also has a dark past. In October 1823, 370 women and children and 30 warriors sought refuge in the Melidoni cave from Hussein Bey. When Bey found out, the cave was surrounded by his army and asked them to surrender.
When they refused to do so, the Ottoman army started to attack them. Three months later they dropped combustible materials into an opening leading to the cave and set it on fire. Many men, women, and children lost their lives in the cave in January 1824. In the central room of the cave, there is an ossuary containing the bones of the heroes of Melidoni cave.
The Melidoni cave is accessible via a guided Crete tour or by car. It’s worth a drive out there to learn the history and feel the immediate drop in temperature as you enter the cave. Visit their official website to see pricing and hours.
Melidoni Caves
Final Thoughts
There are so many fascinating caves around the world to explore. You can even go on a cave tour. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, consider visiting the Reed Flute Cave in China. It’s one of the largest and most beautiful caves in the world, featuring beautiful stalagmites and stalactites that have been growing for thousands of years.
Plan to visit any of the caves from the list as you make your way across the world. While these might be the most popular mysterious caves, there are hundreds, if not thousands to explore. Start with our list and let us know what you find!
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