Spain's Coolest Cave Venues

When the sizzling Spanish sun beats down overhead, why not stay cool in a cave? From troglodyte accommodation and dining, to underground spas and bars, grab your best gypset togs and follow us on a tour of the best cave entertainment Iberia has to offer.

Main image courtesy of Spain-Holiday

Seeking relief from the heat, Spaniards have lived in cave homes for thousands of years, but the country?s largest troglodyte population is concentrated along hills near Granada, which were once used as a scenic backdrop for Sergio Leone?s Spaghetti Westerns.

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Start your grotto tour at Guadix, the region?s largest cave town, where you?ll wander narrow alleys marvelling at the troglodyte dwellings, before spending an hour in the city?s artefact-stuffed cave museum. Plan to get here on Saturday when you can rummage for vintage clothes and other goodies in Guadix?s weekly flea market.

Framed by the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains, Granada is your next stop.

Celebrities, including Posh and Becks, have visited Granada?s Sacromonte caves where flamboyant flamenco gypsies have lived for centuries. The local style is gypsy-chic so grab a piece of that look at vintage clothes shop Lolita?s Closet, or amongst funky frocks and accessories at Dolores Promesas. Luckily you?ve brought along a gorgeous pair of flower filigree earrings and a super fiesta panama hat to complete your outfit, so now you can feast on cured-sausage Pringa, and other Andalusian specialities at cosy cave eatery La Chumbera, before strolling up to the city?s Alhambra. 

Lolita's Closet: C/ Puentezuelas 48, 18002 Granada, Spain +34 958 25 84 33. Dolores Promesas: C/ Montereros, 2, Local 2 (junto a Calle Mesones), 18001 Granada, Spain, +34 958 25 49 46. La Chumbera: C/ del Sacromonte, 107, Granada, Spain, +34 958 558 902. 

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As night falls over Granada?s mythical Moorish palace, sling a slinky fringed Rebozo shawl over your shoulders and follow the local party crowd to La Rocio, a gypsy cave renowned for it?s all-night Zambra flamenco fests. Crawl back to Al Jatib at dawn and sleep sweet in this chic cave hotel an hour?s drive from the city, which boasts Spain?s only cave hammam.

La Rocio: Camino de Sacromonte 70, Granada. Al Jatib: Arroyo C?rcal s/n, (Camino de Oria) 18 800 Baza (Granada) Spain +34 958 342 248.

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What To Wear There

Flower Filigree Earrings, Fiesta Panama Hat, Pilar Rebozo