The Cuevas dels Hams, or Coves dels Hams, lie a few minutes inland from Porto Cristo and from the Caves of Drach. They were discovered in 1905 by Pere Caldentey and opened to the public in 1910, which makes them the first caves in Spain open to visitors. Their name comes from the delicate, hook-shaped formations, hams meaning fish hooks in Mallorcan, that curl from the ceilings of some galleries. The modern visit is something of a show: it begins in a garden cave, continues through the Blue Cave with a short film on the island’s history and LED lighting that picks out features such as Samson’s Pillars, passes an auditorium where an audiovisual piece is projected onto the rock, and finishes in the classic galleries with a musical show on an underground lake. Above ground, Dinosaurland adds more than a hundred life-size dinosaurs among the trees, which is why the Tiqets ticket combines the two.
How it works: the Tiqets combo ticket covers the caves and Dinosaurland, and other Tiqets bundles add Safari Mallorca or Marineland if you are planning a full family day. In the low season the venue is listed as open from Wednesday to Sunday, from the morning to mid-afternoon, and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan around those days.
What to expect: the cave route is shorter and gentler than Drach, with fewer steps, and it is more of a produced experience with films, lights and music. Allow about two hours for the caves and the dinosaur park together. You will want a car or a tour to get there, since it sits on the Manacor to Porto Cristo road.
Making the most of it: if you are visiting Drach the same day, do Hams second, since the two styles complement each other well: Drach for natural scale, Hams for spectacle and history. Families should give Dinosaurland plenty of time, and Porto Cristo’s harbour is close for lunch.
What to expect
The experience
A guided cave visit with films, lighting and a musical show on an underground lake, plus a walk through an outdoor dinosaur park.
Best time
Late morning on a Wednesday to Sunday in the low season, paired with Drach on the same day.
How long
About two hours for the caves and Dinosaurland together.
Tips
Check the winter opening days, come by car or tour, and give children time in Dinosaurland after the caves.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families who want caves with a show and dinosaurs in the same ticket.
- Families
- Shorter and gentler than Drach, with dinosaurs outside; one of the best family combinations on the island.
- Couples
- Better as a second cave after Drach than as a romantic outing on its own.
- Pair with
- The Caves of Drach and lunch at Porto Cristo harbour.
- Time needed
- Two hours.
Good questions
What is the difference between the Caves of Drach and Hams?+
Drach is larger and more natural, ending with a concert on a huge lake. Hams is smaller and more of a show, with films, lighting and music, plus Dinosaurland outside.
Why are they called the Hams caves?+
Hams means fish hooks in Mallorcan, after the hook-shaped formations in the galleries. The caves were discovered in 1905 and opened in 1910.
Are the Cuevas dels Hams open in winter?+
Yes, but on fewer days. In the low season the venue is listed as open Wednesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
What is Dinosaurland?+
It is an outdoor park with more than a hundred life-size dinosaur models among the trees. The Tiqets combo ticket includes it with the caves.
How do you get to the Hams caves?+
They are on the road between Manacor and Porto Cristo, so a car or a tour is easiest. The Caves of Drach are only a few minutes away.
