Cuevas dels Hams - Complete Hook Caves Guide
Discover hook stalactites, the botanical Round Cave, and the Sea of Venice.
Discover hook stalactites, the botanical Round Cave, and the Sea of Venice.
Discovered in 1905 by Pedro Caldentey during excavations for a domestic water well, Cuevas dels Hams is famous for its tree-like, branching stalactite formations. These formations resemble fishhooks (*hams* in Mallorquin). The cave walk takes you through twelve distinct galeries, divided into three main zones: the Round Cave, the Blue Cave, and the Classic Cave.
The tour begins in the Round Cave, a massive collapsed limestone dome that has created a natural botanical garden. The high moisture levels support unique local flora. Next, you visit the Blue Cave, which has projection halls describing the discovery. The tour ends in the Classic Cave. Here, you see the hook stalactites and the "Sea of Venice" lake. The water is exceptionally still and clear, creating a perfect mirror reflection of the columns above.
Many commercial coach tours bundle Hams Cave tickets with mandatory stops at local pearl retail outlets. To avoid these commercial detours, drive yourself or use public transit, booking "cave-only" tickets directly online.
To experience the "Sea of Venice" lake with minimal noise, visitors should walk past the group queues and secure a spot on the left-hand wooden boardwalk. This is the path you should walk on to get the best angles for photography, as it avoids reflection glares from overhead lights.
The caves are open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM during high season, with the last timed ticket slot sold at 4:00 PM. Combo tickets that include the adjacent Dinosaurland theme park are available directly online starting from €25.00 (~$27.25) for adults, which is popular with families.
