ESSENTIAL INFORMATION TO VISIT THE CAVE OF ARDALES!
THE APPOINTMENT WITH THE GUIDE IS IN THE PREHISTORIC CENTRE, NOT IN THE CAVE.
The speleological activity is not suitable for children under 8 years old and adults over 70 years old. People with any mobility problems or pregnant women should refrain from this activity, given the natural characteristics of the site.
The activity, including the visit to the Prehistoric Centre, lasts approximately 3 hours. Inside the cave, the tour lasts approximately 2 hours, the rest of the time is spent visiting the Museum, organisation and going up to the cave in your own car following the guide. Therefore, the 10 a.m. visit ends at 1 p.m., the 11.30 a.m. visit at 2.30 p.m. and the 4 p.m. visit at 7 p.m. (approximate times).
1- The meeting point with the guide for booked visitors is the Ardales Prehistoric Centre (Avenida de Málaga nº 1, 29550 ARDALES, Málaga), where they will have to present their printed or downloaded tickets on their phone 5 minutes before the start of the visit. The visit to the Prehistoric Centre will be free for visitors to the cave. The transfer from the Prehistory Centre to the cave will be by car, following the guide, 3.7 km. Once the visit to the site has begun, no one will be admitted. Punctuality is therefore essential, as no refunds or exchanges will be made. In the case of other problems unrelated to the Cueva de Ardales, no refunds or ticket exchanges will be made.
2- The cave has no electric lighting (we provide individual torches), concrete paths and handrails. The ground can be slippery due to the humidity, so it is essential to wear hiking boots, trekking or sports shoes with rubber soles to avoid slipping. Along the route you have to climb and descend 200 steps (from the middle of the 19th century and therefore uneven). It is not permitted to use walking sticks, carry backpacks, take photographs or record images inside the cave. The price does not include the transfer from the Prehistoric Centre to the site, along a 3.7 km long track, which the clients will have to do in their own vehicle following the guide.
3- The visit is aimed at an adult public interested in the Palaeolithic Prehistory of the South of the Iberian Peninsula. Archaeological probes, non-figurative rock art from the Middle Palaeolithic (Neanderthal) and figurative rock art from the Upper Palaeolithic (Homo sapiens) will be shown, as well as a Neolithic burial site.
The explanations will be in Spanish, with the guide being able to offer some information in English.
Located 75 kilometres from Marbella, in the heart of the Guadalteba region and very close to Álora, Teba and Casarabonela, is the village of Ardales, one of the most interesting municipalities you can visit in the province of Málaga. In addition to its proximity to the popular Caminito del Rey, Ardales offers visitors a number of tourist attractions, both for its rich historical heritage and for the natural monuments in the surrounding area.
Places of interest in Ardales
Prehistoric Museum of Ardales
Garden of the Poets
Church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios
Castle of La Peña
Calvario Chapel
San Isidro Square
Convent of San Sebastián
Roman Bridge of La Molina
What to see around Ardales
Cave of Ardales
Beach of Ardales
Caminito del Rey (King’s Little Path)
El Chorro
Ruins of Bobastro
More information on the events.
