1. El Toll Caves  

If you’re up for an impressive cave visit, head straight to El Toll Caves. It’s one of the most spectacular limestone cave networks on the Iberian Peninsula and part of the group of Great Subterranean Cavities of Catalonia. Located 7.5 kilometres from the city of Moià, these caves take you on a journey back to prehistoric times. The adventure starts inside the caves themselves and ends at the Moià Archaeology and Palaeontology Museum, located in the house where Rafael Casanova (Chief Councillor of Barcelona and key figure in the defence of the city in the 1714 Siege of Barcelona) was born. There are plenty of activities related to these prehistoric caves, including guided tours for families or the general public, educational workshops and even the hiring of spaces for audiovisual productions!

2. Simanya Cave 

Set within the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park, a unique natural area with hundreds of trails to enjoy the essence of nature. Simanya Cave is situated on the eastern slope of El Montcau, a peak in the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range, with four galleries stretching over a combined 400 metres. To preserve this natural treasure and its archaeological remains, it can currently only be visited at weekends, on a guided tour, so make sure to book in advance with the tour organisers.

Although it has been inhabited since the Neolithic and even in mediaeval times, there are many legends associated with Simanya Cave, referring to it as the lair of beasts or strange birds or even as the site of a mysterious underground city. Its fascinating mixture of history and fiction will leave you amazed!

3. Montserrat Caves 

Beneath Catalonia’s most famous mountain, in the municipality of Collbató, you can find one of the largest cave networks in the province of Barcelona, namely the Montserrat Caves. This is a natural underground cavity stretching 530 metres, which you can visit on your own or on one of the guided tours organised by the local council.

Legend has it that when Antoni Gaudí visited these caves, he was so impressed by the wonders he saw there that, from then on, stalactites and stalagmites inspired his amazing works. Whatever the truth of this story, it’s a must-see cave system.

4. Cardona Salt Mine 

In the town of Cardona, you can discover a unique natural phenomenon that continues to grow as rain erodes it: the so-called Salt Mountain. For years, it was one of the most important potassium salt mines in the world. Today, the old mining site is the Cultural Park of the Salt Mountain, a large cultural facility that aims to highlight the importance of salt, the exceptional geology of the deposit, and how it has been used by humans over the centuries. The park offers two alternatives: a standard guided tour and a dramatised tour. The latter is an interesting, dynamic option to visit Cardona from another perspective, suitable for children and adults alike!

5. The Mines of Cercs 

While these mines aren’t a natural phenomenon, they’re certainly worth a visit. The Mines of Cercs are home to a museum dedicated to the history of the model villages of the mining industry. Housed in the Sant Corneli model village, the museum explains the characteristics and uses of coal at the end of the 19^th century, immersing you in a harsh, dark world where thousands of people worked over the course of almost two centuries. Part of the National Museum of Science and Technology of Catalonia (MNACTEC), the museum offers authentic, comprehensive insight into the coal mining experience, from its origins to the closure of the mines at the end of the 20^th century.

6. Gavà Mines 

The Archaeological Park of the Gavà Mines is home to one of the oldest gallery mines in Europe, with mineral exploitation beginning around 6,000 years ago and lasting for a millennium. Variscite, the main mineral mined there, was used to create ornaments and jewellery that were traded throughout the Mediterranean.

Today, the mines can be visited in the form of a detailed recreation accompanied by large-scale multimedia presentations, enabling you to discover what was involved in this kind of mining in the Neolithic. Created to preserve and disseminate this exceptional mining site, the museum offers an experience in which the remnants of the mine are combined with modern presentations, giving you the chance to explore the way of life and beliefs of the people of that period through elaborate audiovisual and multimedia installations.

On all these visits, you’ll see and learn first-hand about the uses, customs and formation of the various caves in the regions of Barcelona. Whether you enjoy hiking, exploring history or delving into the cultural heritage of this part of the world, the caves are a fantastic option for everyone.