Nerja Caves Shore Excursion from Malaga

This tour visits the Nerja Caves, a series of limestone caverns on the eastern edge of the Costa del Sol, discovered in 1959 and home to cave paintings dated among the oldest in the world.

After meeting your guide in Malaga, you drive along the Costa del Sol through the Axarquia region, passing the fishing village of Rincon de la Victoria, the hilltop castle at Velez-Malaga, and Torrox, once known for its silk industry. At the point where the mountains meet the sea, you arrive in Nerja, where local boys discovered the caves in 1959.

Inside, you'll walk through several chambers, including the Cataclysm Hall, home to a central column of fused stalactites and stalagmites that ranks among the largest in the world. The caves are also known for a series of Paleolithic wall paintings, including images of seals that, according to charcoal dating published in 2012, are between roughly 42,000 and 43,500 years old, among the oldest confirmed cave art anywhere and, if the dating holds up, possibly the work of Neanderthals rather than modern humans, a claim that remains debated among researchers. After the cave visit, you'll have free time at the museum shop before returning to Malaga.

Walking note: this tour involves a fair amount of walking inside the caves and is not wheelchair accessible. If you have a larger group, this tour can be arranged with a mid-size bus or full-size coach.

• Mobility: Due to uneven surfaces, steps, and walking distances, this itinerary is not suitable for guests using wheelchairs. Please contact us for alternative sightseeing options, including private driving tours that may better accommodate your needs.