Can Marca Caves (Cueva de Can Marcà)

The Basics

The cave system, known as the Can Marca Caves (Cueva de Can Marcà), was actually used by smugglers until the mid-20th century, and opened to tourists in the 1980s. A staircase leads down from a cliff-top bar to the cave entrance, where regularly scheduled tours (available in Spanish, English, and French) head into the cavern. Visitors follow lit paths through the accessible portion of the cave system while learning about the surreal rock formations, how the cave was excavated, and the history of the smugglers who once stashed goods within these dark passages.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Can Marca Caves are a must-see for all first-time visitors to Ibiza.

• Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces.

• Guided tours of the cave system last 30 to 45 minutes.

• Touring the cave involves climbing up and down steps; the caves are not wheelchair accessible.

How to Get There

The caves are located along the coast outside the Port of San Miguel, with plenty of signs pointing the way. Parking is available for those with a car, and buses 22 (from San Antonio) and 25 (from Ibiza) also stop just down the hill from the cave.

When to Get There

The caves are open daily throughout the year, though hours are reduced during the winter low season (October to April). Temperatures in the caves tend to be cooler than outside, so they’re a good option to escape the afternoon heat during summer.

Smuggler’s Markings

Keep an eye out for red and black markings on the cave’s stone walls. Smugglers used these signposts to point the way to the cave’s two exits, in case one or the other was blocked.