The Caves of Drach in Mallorca are one of the most famous and visited attractions in Spain. And rightly so.
No trip to Mallorca is complete without a visit to the Caves of Drach and they are featured in every guidebook. Most descriptions just contain the usual facts about stalactites and stalagmites; information about the underground Lake Martel and opening times. But the Caves of Drach are a fascinating natural monument and here you will discover all those things you didn’t know about Mallorca’s most famous caves:
Table of Contents
1- The Caves of Drach are Privately Owned
Many people believe that the Caves of Drach belong to the Balearic Government, but actually they are privately owned.
In 1922 Joan Servera Camps bought the caves from their previous owner, Mr. Moragues, and restored them partly so that they could be visited. The caves are still privately owned to this day.
2- Stable Temperature All Year Round
The interior of the Caves of Drach has a special microclimate, so inside the caves, the temperature remains constant throughout the year, with an average temperature of 18-20 degrees and a humidity of 80-82%. This means that when visiting the Caves, it is not necessary to wear warm clothes.
3- There’s a Cove in the Caves of Drach
Behind the entrance to the caves, there is a small cove of rocks and crystalline waters, and on one of its sides in the background, a fountain whose water rises from underground. This is useful to know because you can combine the visit with a swim in the cove.
To get to the cove, go to the entrance to the Caves of Drach and you will see that at the back there is a stone wall with a gate, from there, follow a small path that will take you directly to the cove.
4- Boat Trip Inside the Caves
Many people don’t realise that after listening to the classical music concert by Lake Martel, you can enjoy, at no extra cost, a boat trip across the lake. So, on your next visit to the Caves of Drach, don’t just make your way straight to the exit: at the end of the music concert, you must go to the left side, and there you can board one of the small boats, which will take you to the other side of Lake Martel, where you have the route to the exit.
When the caves were first opened to the public, the boat trip on Lake Martel was obligatory because there was no other route out, but later a path was created to skirt the lake.
5- Souvenir Shop
Without a doubt, all tourist attractions have their souvenir shop, which we often associate with very expensive prices. In the Caves of Drach they have a series of articles, related to the caves, such as a book or photos that they sell at very cheap prices, so it’s worth stopping by the souvenir shop at the end of your visit to the caves.
6- A 16th Century Defensive Tower
Very close to the caves, we find a defensive watchtower built in the 16th century to prevent pirate attacks in this area. The tower was restored in the 1980s, and can be visited for free, to enjoy spectacular views of the east coast and Porto Cristo. An excellent recommendation to complement your visit to the Caves of Drach.
7- Majorica Pearls
Majorica pearls from Manacor are world famous and, since 2016, they have a store located just 200 metres from the caves that is open all year. In the store you can learn about the history of pearls with a 360 panoramic video, and if you wish to, you can buy jewellery made from Majorica pearls at factory prices.
8- Ants in the Caves of Drach
Inside the Caves of Drach there are some blind ants. These ants were discovered and investigated in 1904 by the Romanian biologist Emil G. Racovitza, who thus started a new science: biospeleology. The scientific name of the tiny bug is nothing less than (wait for it): Typhlocirolana Moraguesi, the latter part named after the former owner of the caves.
9- The Colour of the Water in the Caves
The water inside the caves is partially salty (10.6 grams per litre: boiling 100 litres of water we get over 1 kilo of salt). The water rises or falls as it is affected by the tides. The level of the water in the caves has changed over time and within different periods. This is due to atmospheric pressure, which is why it is believed that this variation is due to maritime storms and that when the wind blows from the sea, the waters go down. The action of the moon also influences.
According to the colour of the water we can know the depth:
- If it is green, it is 3 metres deep.
- If it is blue, it is 8 metres deep.
- If it is white, it is 1 metre deep.
So there you have it: nine things you didn’t know about the Caves of Drach. Now it’s time to visit them!