Born and raised in London, I’ve been traveling across Europe from a young age and have a particular fondness for exploring adventurous, off-the-beaten-path places.
When most people are booking trips to big cities like Madrid, Athens, or Paris, I’m on the hunt for lesser-known regions whenever possible.
That’s exactly how I came to discover that Europe has plenty of caves right in plain sight. From underground caverns in Slovenia to salt mines in Poland, these hidden wonders have resulted in some of my best travel memories to date. And I didn’t have to endure strenuous hikes to find them, either. Many only require a short drive from the city center, while some tour groups will curate full itineraries and interesting ways to access them.
I’ve lived in the U.S. now for over 21 years, and while the country has its fair share of caves, the ones I experienced in Europe take sightseeing to another level. You’ll see stalactites while riding an underground train, board boats that barely fit inside narrow cave walls, and admire deep waters that glow bright blue. Here are my absolute favorites.
In this article
Postojna Cave in Postojna, Slovenia
Located in Southwestern Slovenia, I found this gem as part of a small group day trip. The exploration into Postojna Cave began with a 3.7-kilometer underground electric train ride, which took us deep into the dark cavern.
At first, it was pitch black and cold. The temperature dropped significantly once inside. But when my eyes adjusted, I stood in awe of the massive subterranean spaces we passed through, marked by intricate stalactite and stalagmite formations at every turn.
At some points we were allowed to get off the train to explore with a guide, who led us along narrow walkways, across bridges with crystal-blue waters below, and into expansive halls used for concerts.
One of my favorite parts was coming across a large tank in the center of the cave, home to the olm (Proteus anguinus), a blind cave salamander historically thought to be a baby dragon.
The quickest way to reach the cave is from Ljubljana, which takes around 45 minutes. Rent a car, take public transportation, or book a group trip like I did, which included pick-up from the city.
Wieliczka Salt Mine in Wieliczka, Poland
Near Krakow in southern Poland, Wieliczka Salt Mine is so easy to reach from the city, but many tourists miss it completely, unaware of its very presence. But overlooking it would be a mistake.
The adventure begins on the initial descent into the mine, which involves a continuous walk down 380 wooden stairs to the first level that sits 210 feet underground. There, I discovered what felt like an entire city underground with beautiful lakes, a chapel, ornate carvings, chandeliers, and salt sculptures.
St. Kinga's Chapel is one of those spots. Created by underground miners as an act of religious devotion, the stunning underground church is located around 330 to 440 feet beneath the surface and is illuminated by glittering chandeliers made entirely from salt crystals. From the ornate floor and the detailed wall art of biblical scenes to the grand altar and statues, it’s almost hard to believe everything is made of rock salt.
While it feels worlds away, public transport will bring you here in around 15 minutes, and driving takes just 25-30 depending on traffic.
Benagil Cave in the Algarve, Portugal
Located in the fishing village of Benagil on Portugal’s Algarve Coast, most tourists miss this spot because they’re busy sunbathing on the nearby beach.
But I highly recommend trading relaxing for adventure. There are two ways to view the cave in all its glory: from the top through the natural skylight or entering via boat or paddleboard.
I chose the latter, booking a day trip that included transfers, a short hike above the cave, and a bodyboarding excursion into the cave itself. For those who aren’t physically fit, I wouldn’t recommend it, as the waves here can be quite rough and it's not uncommon to get pulled towards the cave walls.
Once inside, the skylight dome lets in sunlight streams that illuminate the clear blue-green water inside. There’s not too much to explore, but there is a small stretch of sandy beach to relax and take in the cave’s beauty away from the crowds.
Blue Cave (Modra špilja) in Biševo Island, Croatia
No hiking is involved at all to visit this cave, which is exactly what I was looking for during my summer backpacking trip to Croatia.
The sun was hot, the air humid, and all I wanted to do was island hop, including to the famous Blue Cave on Biševo Island.
My speedboat journey from Split took around 1.5 hours (it can vary depending on weather conditions), which may sound like a long time, but can be broken up with stops at neighboring islands along the way.
When I arrived with my small group tour, we were loaded onto another, smaller boat in order to approach the insanely small cave opening. The entrance was so low and narrow, I felt like I had to duck.
Once inside, the cave is famous for its ethereal blue light, and indeed, the rock walls and water felt otherworldly.
Sunlight enters through an underwater opening and reflects off the white seabed, bathing the cave’s interior in a brilliant cobalt-blue glow. For the best colors, visit between 11 a.m. and noon on sunny days.
The Caves of Castellana (Grotte di Castellana) in Puglia, Italy
The Caves of Castellana are a spectacular underground cave system in Puglia, southern Italy, near the town of Castellana Grotte, about 40 miles southeast of beautiful Bari.
They’re known for enormous caverns filled with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and unusual rock formations. The caves stretch for roughly 1.8 miles and are a good fit for those who aren’t experienced hikers, as you walk along a marked, guided underground route.
Highlights include the White Cave (La Grotta Bianca), whose walls are covered in brilliantly white crystalline formations, and the Cavern of Monuments, which features complex mineral formations resembling famous architectural structures.
The Shortcut
Explore Europe beyond the big cities: Lesser-known destinations can offer some of the continent’s most memorable adventures, including many underground caverns, historic mines, and caves that most tourists miss.
Slovenia’s Postojna Cave takes you through it via train, while Poland’s Wieliczka Salt Mine includes elaborate underground spaces such as a full church with chandeliers.
Portugal’s Benagil Cave is hidden from the main beach throngs. Croatia’s Blue Cave and Italy’s Caves of Castellana have otherworldly waters—some even glow.
