Cova des Pas de Vallgornera

Cova des Pas de Vallgornera is Mallorca's longest cave, stretching beneath the farmland of Llucmajor in the Balearic Islands. Surveyors have mapped more than 74 kilometres of passages, over ten kilometres of which run underwater, placing it among the thirty longest caves on the planet. You cannot walk through it like a typical show cave, but its discovery story and scientific value make it one of the most remarkable underground systems in Europe.

How was the cave discovered?

Quarry workers stumbled onto the entrance by accident in 1968, but for decades nobody grasped how far the system actually reached. Everything changed after 2004, when cave divers pushed through flooded passages and revealed kilometres of submerged galleries, confirming Vallgornera as one of the largest karst labyrinths in the Balearics. The system runs on two main levels — one sitting 7 to 11 metres above sea level, the other at the water table itself — plus an extensive underwater network reserved for specialist cave divers.

What makes it special?

Inside, the cave is known for an unusually rich and varied collection of speleothems: stalactites, stalagmites and other calcite formations that specialists rank among the most striking anywhere in the Mediterranean basin. In one gallery, researchers found an exceptionally well-preserved deposit of Early Pleistocene vertebrate fossils, including remains of at least five mammal species, fourteen bird species (two of them endemic to Mallorca), plus a reptile and an amphibian. It's one of the most significant paleontological finds in the Balearics, offering a rare window into the island's wildlife long before humans arrived.

Can you actually visit it?

No — the cave is currently closed to the public, with no marked trail or guided tour available. Access is limited to research teams and experienced speleologists working under permit. Still, it's a good excuse to explore the wider Llucmajor area: a market town with a historic core and old windmills, close to the south coast's best beaches, such as Es Trenc and Cala Pi, where the landscape hides smaller, lesser-known cave systems of its own.

When is the best time to visit the area?

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) are the sweet spot for exploring around Llucmajor — warm enough for the beach, without the peak-summer crowds. Midsummer heat can make longer walks or bike rides inland uncomfortable, while winter often brings enough wind to take the shine off nearby beach days.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go inside Cova des Pas de Vallgornera? No. The cave is closed to tourists; only scientists and permitted speleologists can enter.

Why is this cave so important? It's Mallorca's longest cave and one of the thirty longest in the world, known for its rich speleothems and a rare Early Pleistocene fossil deposit.

Where exactly is the cave located? Beneath farmland in the municipality of Llucmajor, in southern Mallorca, part of Spain's Balearic Islands.

What can I do nearby if the cave itself is off-limits? Visit Llucmajor's old town and windmills, or head to the beaches of Es Trenc and Cala Pi, both a short drive away.