Extending over 3.5 kilometres beneath the town of L'Espluga de Francolí, these caves have been inhabited or used by humans for over 6,000 years — evidence of Neolithic, Iberian and Roman-era activity has been found within them. The portion open to visitors follows the course of a subterranean river through chambers adorned with stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and other geological formations that have developed over millennia.
The guided tour takes approximately 90 minutes and follows a well-lit, accessible route through the main galleries. The highlight is the underground river itself — visitors walk alongside and occasionally over flowing water in a cavern that feels genuinely primordial. The constant temperature inside the caves is around 14°C year-round, making this a particularly welcome excursion on a hot summer day when the coast is sweltering.
The caves also house a museum section that contextualises the geological and archaeological story of the site. Interactive displays explain how the river carved the chambers, how prehistoric people used the caves for shelter and ritual, and how the formations continue to grow imperceptibly today.
L'Espluga de Francolí, the small town above the caves, is a pleasant stop in its own right. It sits at the eastern foot of the Prades mountains and is only a few kilometres from the Royal Monastery of Poblet, making it easy to combine both sites in a single inland day trip. The town has restaurants serving traditional Catalan cuisine and a co-operative winery producing excellent Conca de Barberà wines.
From Camping La Noria, the drive takes about 50 minutes via the AP-2 motorway and the N-240 through Montblanc. The caves are open year-round, though advance booking is recommended during summer weekends and holidays.
