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El Castillo Caves and Paleotithic Art

5 (14)

Puente Viesgo, ES

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Experience the wonders of the El Castillo Caves and Paleolithic Art on this captivating tour. Begin your journey by being picked up from your hotel and travel to Puente Viesgo, where you will explore the famous caves of "El Castillo" and "Las Monedas." These caves are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites and showcase some of the oldest preserved cave paintings in the world. Marvel at the intricate silhouettes of hands and beautiful charcoal drawings from the Magdalenian period. Afterward, visit the new Rock Art Interpretation Center to gain a deeper understanding of the origin and development of rock art. Finally, take a leisurely stroll through the charming village of Puente Viesgo. Immerse yourself in history, art, and natural beauty on this unforgettable tour.

About this experience

Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
Admission Included
5 hours
Suitable for 1-8 Participants
Small Group Tour, Private Tour
Guided Experience

Highlights

Visit the world heritage caves of El Castillo and Las Monedas
Walk around the cozy village of Puente Viesgo
Enjoy the views over the Pas River
Visit the new Cave Art Centre in Puente Viesgo
See the oldest preserved cave paintings in the world

Included

Entrance fees to visit el castillo and las monedas caves (regular visit)
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Driver/guide
Transport by private vehicle

Not included

Food and drinks

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Escape to the enchanting world of ancient cave art with the El Castillo Caves and Paleolithic Art tour. Immerse yourself in the magic of Puente Viesgo, a picturesque village in Spain, as you embark on a journey to explore the renowned caves of El Castillo and Las Monedas. These caves, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, boast centuries-old cave paintings that will transport you back in time.

What to expect?

During this 300-minute tour, brace yourself for an awe-inspiring experience as you witness some of the oldest preserved cave paintings on Earth. Step into the remarkable "El Castillo" Cave, where you'll encounter the iconic silhouettes of hands that were created by more than 50 individuals in ancient times. Additionally, a visit to Las Monedas cave will unveil beautiful charcoal drawings from the Magdalenian period. Be prepared to appreciate not only the art but also the caves' geological significance.

Who is this for?

This captivating tour is perfect for art enthusiasts and history buffs craving a deep dive into the ancient wonders of Paleolithic art. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just starting your exploratory journey, this experience will leave a lasting impression on anyone with a thirst for knowledge and a love for cultural heritage. No matter your background, the El Castillo Caves and Paleolithic Art tour promises to captivate and educate.

Why book this?

There are few experiences as awe-inspiring as coming face to face with humanity's ancient artistic legacy. By booking this tour, you'll have the opportunity to witness firsthand the wonders of cave art that have amazed and perplexed scholars for centuries. Delve into the mysteries surrounding these cave paintings and gain a deeper understanding of our shared history. Embrace the chance to explore the new Rock Art Interpretation Center, which provides valuable insights into the origins and evolution of this remarkable art form.

Good to know

Before embarking on this journey, it's important to note that the regular cave visits are conducted in Spanish. However, don't fret if you prefer English as private tours or translation services are available upon request. Make sure to take in the charm of Puente Viesgo, famous for its luxurious Hotel and Spa, during a short visit. Prepare for a day filled with wonder, discovery, and the chance to create lasting memories.

Reviews

Travelers have been astounded by the El Castillo Caves and Paleolithic Art tour. Many have praised the expertly preserved cave paintings and the knowledge shared by the passionate guides. Visitors have marveled at the ancient silhouettes of hands and the intricate charcoal drawings, with some describing the experience as "mesmerizing" and "mind-blowing." The overall satisfaction and appreciation for the historical and cultural value of the tour are evident in the glowing reviews from those fortunate enough to have explored these extraordinary caves.

About this product

How long before the event do I need to book?

You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Cave of El Castillo

This has has been declared World Heritage by Unesco and it is one of the most important caves in the world for its cave paintings. Please notice that the regular visit is in Spanish. Please contact us if you want to have a private tour in English or someone translating the visit for you into English.

Admission Included

Cueva Las Monedas

This cave had been declared World Heritage by Unesco in the year 2008. Please notice that the regular visit is in Spanish. Please contact us if you want to have a private tour in English or someone translating the visit for you into English

Admission Included

Puente Viesgo

We will do a short visit to this village famous for its Hotel and Spa of Puente Viesgo.

Additional information

Not recommended for participants with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant participants
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for participants with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
A maximum of 8 people per booking
This tour has a minimum of 4 people for final tour confirmation
Tour request approval depends on cave entrance tickets availability
Children must be accompanied by an adult
The visit into the cave is only in Spanish available, your guide access with you to translate
Tour may be operated by multi-lingual guide
Temperature into the Caves is 12ºC all year

Reviews

(14)

5 (14)

doaner565

Such an experience to be in the presence of expressive markings from 40,000 years ago! Lots to ponder. Caves are a marvel in and I of themselves, too!

Fwahwa_S

Driver is very nice person. He translates Spanish what the cave tour guide speaks into English for us.

Adrienne_G

See the actual cave and geological environment made this tour of the Paleolithic art spectacular and unique. Highly recommend.

Dora_P

The caves are amazing. This is a very unique experience. A must see on a visit to Cantabria. I’d like to give a special thanks to Gabriela, not only for a great drive to the caves with very capable description of the landscape, but also for walking down to the caves to help me all the way.

Barbara_D

I wanted to see the real prehistoric caves of Spain, and this tour was the real thing not just a representation. Our driver picked us up right outside our hotel. We had a pleasant conversation with Mercedes, who spoke very good English, and told us all about the caves history even before we got there. We visited two caves. They were very dark, be sure, and wear good shoes because it’s wet, damp and slippery. Our first tour guide only spoke Spanish, but with the help of one of our tour companions, he was able to translate what was being said. Our second guide “translated” with gestures and broken English, she was a professional who took pride in her job. She was phenomenal. It is hard to describe the feeling of seeing Paleolithic art on cave walls over 38,000 years old. We were in awe and thrilled! I am sure they will restrict visitors to these cave wonders in the future, please go see it now while you can!

Kristin_A

Big thank you to Mercedes for coming along on the tours and quietly translating for us when she realized that the cave tour guide was not going to be able to repeat everything in English. This was a longtime dream of mine, to see the cave paintings, and she made it possible!

kris-goes-places

I am so happy that we booked our tour through Exploring Cantabria. Our tour guide, Mercedes, was fabulous. She was friendly and knowledgeable, and came along with us on the tour of both Las Monedas and El Castillo and translated for us because the cave tours were only in Spanish. The caves themselves are amazing. Las Monedas has only a few paintings but the cave formations are stunning. El Castillo has more paintings - the tour goes quite far down which means that you’ll be climbing four or five flights on your way back out. I am saying this not as a complaint but as a middle aged woman on the larger side, I was definitely out of breath at the end. It was worth every step though - it is mind blowing to realize we were looking at some of the oldest artwork in human history. I don’t think I can do them justice in a review. It is really fascinating to see. After the caves, Mercedes took us into a nearby town for a few photo ops before heading home. I cannot recommend her highly enough for helping us access this unique and amazing experience.

JOHN_M

Thoroughly enjoyed the experience and being able to see these ancient paintings. The tour guide who drove us to the caves was very helpful and gave us enough time to visit the village close to the caves afterwards. She arrived at the pick up point on time.

Debra_N

The prehistoric sites in northern Spain are fabulous and Gabriela at Explore Cantabria was a great guide. She speaks perfect English and knows a lot of history and was really knowledgeable about all the Cantabrian customs. It was a fabulous day and a real treat to connect with our Paleolithic ancestors.

Michael_R

Absolutely the caves and the paintings. All the guides did a great job navigating us thru the caves and pointing out the paintings. We saw some paintings 40,000 years old and were able to look at them from only a foot away. Don’t wait as these caves will be closing to the public soon. Our guide/driver was pleasant, knowledgeable and a good driver. We had a fun group to travel with and enjoyed lunch together at a very good restaurant. Came for the caves but did enjoy the ride to the waterfall and walking around a small spa town. A good value.

Collected by Evendo & our supplier partners

2024-06-26 13:42