Cova d'en Domingo

Cova d'en Domingo is a small karst cave in the municipality of Calvià, Mallorca, tucked into the Serra de na Burguesa hills in an area known as coma de s'Arc, close to the Coll des Pastors pass. It's a destination for visitors who want to trade the coastline of Calvià for a hike into the hills with an underground reward at the end.

What is the cave like inside?

Cova d'en Domingo formed through karst processes and runs mostly horizontally rather than dropping as a vertical shaft. Its depth is roughly 8.5 metres, making it a compact, walkable cave rather than a technical pothole — no ropes or climbing gear are needed, though a good torch and careful footing are essential.

Where exactly is it located?

The cave sits at an altitude of about 354 metres, within the Serra de na Burguesa, the ridge of hills overlooking western Palma and the Calvià municipality. The surroundings are typical of Mallorca's limestone interior — pale rock, scrubby Mediterranean vegetation, and open views over the valleys below.

How do you get there?

By car from Palma, the usual route is the Ma-20 motorway toward Andratx, exiting onto the Ma-1045 for Génova. At the entrance to the village, turn onto the first street on the right and follow the signs toward Mirador Ca na Burguesa, a viewpoint that marks the start of the walking approach. From there, the trail to the cave covers around 3.3 kilometres, with roughly 94 metres of combined ascent and descent along the way. Most walkers cover the approach in about 70 minutes, depending on pace and fitness.

Who is this trip suited for?

Cova d'en Domingo works best for travellers who enjoy pairing sightseeing with physical activity — the walk itself, through pine-scrubbed hillside with views back toward Palma, is as much a part of the experience as the cave. Bring proper trekking shoes, a headlamp or torch, and water, since the route runs through open hill terrain with no shops or rest stops along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to walk to reach Cova d'en Domingo? Yes. Driving gets you as far as Génova and the Mirador Ca na Burguesa viewpoint; from there a roughly 3.3-kilometre trail leads to the cave, taking about 70 minutes on foot.

Is the cave difficult to explore? No technical caving skills are required — it's a mostly horizontal passage about 8.5 metres deep — but you'll need your own light source and sturdy footwear for uneven, sometimes damp ground.

How high up is the cave? It lies at roughly 354 metres above sea level, within the Serra de na Burguesa range.

Is there anything else to see nearby? The Serra de na Burguesa is a well-known area for hiking and mountain biking near Palma, dotted with viewpoints over the city and bay, so the cave visit pairs naturally with a longer walk along the ridge.