Sometimes the most spectacular wonders are not visible to the naked eye. Or they may even be hidden underground. That is, quite literally, the case of the Gruta de las Maravillas in Aracena, in the province of Huelva, also known simply as the “Aracena caves”. In this post, we explain what it is and provide practical information on how to visit, including opening hours and ticket prices.
What is the Gruta de las Maravillas in Aracena?
The Gruta de las Maravillas in Aracena is a large cave located in this town in Huelva. But not on its outskirts… it is right beneath the town centre, on Castle Hill (Cerro del Castillo)! It is a phreatic cavity, i.e., formed by the erosion of stored groundwater, which has gradually dissolved the limestone and marble that make up the interior of this hill.
Its dimensions are breathtaking. A 1.4 km stretch is open to visitors, but the cave extends for more than 2 km. As for its height, in some sections it reaches 30 metres. And throughout, you can observe truly unique geological formations, such as stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, gours, columns and draperies…
Practical information for visiting the cave
The Gruta de las Maravillas in Aracena was discovered in the late 19th century and opened to the public in 1914. Today, to ensure proper conservation, there is a limited daily quota of visits: 1,000 people per day. All visits must be carried out accompanied and supervised by the cave’s own guides.
Opening hours and ticket price
If you are planning to visit this unique place, you should know that the opening hours of the Gruta de las Maravillas in Aracena are:
- Every day, morning and afternoon:
- Monday to Thursday, from 10:00 to 13:30 and from 15:00 to 18:00
- Friday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 13:30 and from 15:00 to 19:00
- Closed: 24, 25 and 31 December, and 1 and 6 January
The standard admission price (as of February 2021) is €10. For children aged 6 to 12, it is €7, and for those over 65, €8. However, there are reduced prices for groups of more than 20 people, and it can also be visited by purchasing the Aracena Tourist Card, for €12.50 for adults (€9 for children and those over 65).
Private visit to the Gruta de las Maravillas in Aracena
In addition to the standard tour prices, there are other visit options you may be interested in: photo shoots, technical visits, etc., always subject to capacity availability. Therefore, if you would like to arrange a private visit to the Gruta de las Maravillas in Aracena, please contact Andalucía Exclusiva: we will inform you of the available options, depending on the circumstances at the time.
And if you would like this visit to be part of a tailor-made, personalised trip around Huelva, please do not hesitate to contact our agency. That is our true speciality!
