Exploring natural caves can be an exciting and often awe-inspiring part of travel. Many caves around the world are preserved and open to tourists. Here are 23 such natural caves.
1. Cave of the Winds (Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA)
An accessible start to our list is the Cave of the Winds in Colorado. This cave system has guided tours daily, showing off the complex carvings from Mother Nature that first started millions of years ago. It’s a must-see if you’re in the area, and unlike other similar attractions, the tour doesn’t take longer than about an hour, so it’s much easier to include in your day.
2. Mammoth Cave National Park, USA
This is the world’s longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles explored, and offers various tours to suit all ages and fitness levels. It’s enormous and borderline daunting, but the guided tours make it easy for adventurers of any level to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience here.
3. Sima De La Cornisa (Torca Magali, Spain)
Let’s switch gears and look at a cave experience that’s not for the faint of heart. Many deep caves exist within the Picos de Europa mountains in Spain, but the Sima De La Cornisa is one of the deepest in the world. It’s accessible to tourists, but it’s not exactly a “tourist-friendly” option either.
4. Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
Famous for its population of glowworms, this cave offers a magical boat ride under a luminescent glowworm canopy.
5. Yucatan Cenotes (The Yucatán Peninsula)
Many tours on the Yucatan involve the cenotes in some way or another. These caves are natural water sources and offer a lot of opportunity for unique exploration, hence why it’s become such a great place for tourists!
6. Jeita Grotto, Lebanon
This system consists of interconnected limestone caves spanning nearly 9 kilometers and is among the most famous attractions in Lebanon.
7. Skaftafell Ice Caves (Vatnajökull Glacier, Iceland)
These crystalline ice caves in Iceland are nothing short of magnificent, and you can see them for yourself with a guided tour. These tours are a bit longer, clocking in at around two to three hours, so planning ahead is a good idea.
8. Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes (Saalfeld/Saale, Germany)
This cave system found in Germany is beautifully illuminated, showing off the kaleidoscopic mineral deposits. This attraction is great for the entire family — you can finish the day by visiting the adjacent interactive museum for even more immersion!
9. Skocjan Caves, Slovenia
A UNESCO World Heritage site, these caves are renowned for their massive underground canyon and dramatic limestone formations.
10. Postojna Cave, Slovenia
This is one of the best-known caves in the world, offering guided tours and even a unique cave train experience.
11. Shell Grotto (Margate, UK)
This underground passage is entirely made of seashells — but how did it get here? There’s a lot of mystery enshrouding the Shell Grotto, but that just makes this an all the more fascinating place to visit.
12. Cave of the Crystals, Mexico
Known for its gigantic selenite crystals, it’s extremely hot with limited access, but a remarkable sight for those who make the trip.
13. Phong Nha Caves, Vietnam
These are among the largest and most beautiful cave systems globally, featuring underground rivers, distinctive stalactite and stalagmite formations, and large caverns.
14. Waitomo Glow Worm Caves (Waitomo, New Zealand)
The main attraction of these caves? The glow worms that make them sparkle! Tour these unique caves and see how the brightest glow worm population shines through the darkness. This is another must-visit for the family when you stop in New Zealand!
15. Carlsbad Caverns, USA
Featuring more than 100 caves, the park offers self-guided and ranger-led tours, with the “Big Room” being one of the standout features.
16. Luray Caverns, USA
These are well-known for their impressive array of stalactites, stalagmites, and mirrored pools.
17. Barton Creek Cave (Seven Miles El Progresso, Belize)
Barton Creek Cave is much smaller than the other entries, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have unique intrigue. History buffs take note: this Cave is a Mayan relic where rituals, including human sacrifice, were performed. Fascinating and more than a little eerie, this is an excellent stop if you’re in Belize.
18. Harrison’s Cave, Barbados
A crystallized limestone cavern, Harrison’s Cave is known for its flowing streams, deep pools of crystal-clear water, and towering columns.
19. The Blue Grotto, Italy
This sea cave in Capri gets its name from the cerulean light that shines throughout. Book yourself a sea tour where you row through the caves. Traveler’s tip: the best time to experience this brilliant blue light is between 12 and 2 p.m.!
20. Lascaux Caves, France
Although the original Lascaux cave, known for its prehistoric cave paintings, is closed to the public, a detailed replica called Lascaux II can be visited.
21. Cango Caves, South Africa
These limestone caves offer easy walks or more adventurous (and somewhat claustrophobic) crawls through narrow rock crevices.
22. Benagil Sea Cave, Portugal
Accessible only by water, it’s famous for its round hole in the ceiling, known as “the eye,” that offers a beautiful view of the sky.
23. Reed Flute Cave, China
Known for its multicolored lighting, this ancient cave is filled with a large number of stalactites, stalagmites, and other rock formations.
The World’s Most Beautiful Mountain Ranges
For as long as humans have existed, mountains have inspired and daunted us. They’re the basis for countless legends, and although they can be deadly, have an irresistible pull on us, drawing millions of sightseers, hikers, climbers, skiers, and other outdoor enthusiasts every year. Making a definitive list of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world is subjective, but the ones here are certainly strong contenders.
Lagoons at Ko Olina: Best Beach on Oahu For Families
Visiting the lagoons at Ko Olina was one of our favorite things about our vacation in Oahu. If you’re considering whether or not to spend time there, I’m here to give you the rundown on why I think you absolutely should!
Maybe.
Although we absolutely loved the lagoons at Ko Olina, there’s a specific reason why. Read on and I’ll explain why while answering all your questions.
Then you can decide if visiting the most popular lagoons in Oahu is what you want to do, too.
Pretty in Pink: 14 Beautiful Pink Sand Beaches to Visit This Year
Attention all beach lovers! If you’re in the market for a new oceanside adventure, it’s time to add pink sand beaches to your bucket list.
With their unique rosy hue and sparkling waters, these breathtaking stretches of sand offer Instagram-worthy blends of sun, surf, and serenity.
However, unlike the white and black sand beaches you know and love, these magnificent rose-tinted shorelines are much less common. So the question becomes: where on earth can you find them?
Pretty in Pink: 14 Beautiful Pink Sand Beaches to Visit This Year
Robert Sihler is an educator, freelance writer, and rock climbing guide and instructor living with his family in Driftwood, Texas. In his spare time, he enjoys reading fiction, streaming films, completing crossword puzzles, and rock climbing. When he goes on vacation, he likes to visit the mountains of the West and climb remote, obscure peaks that have seen few or no prior ascents.