Mira de Aire Caves in Central Portugal

The best and most beautiful caves in central Portugal are located in the natural park of Serras de Aire and Candeeiros, where water has dissolved the limestone rock over millions of years and carved out networks of underground galleries hundreds of meters long, or even kilometers.

Some of these caves are not available to visit, although they have already been discovered by caving teams. Others are open to the public, through guided tours of the underground, and are real treasures, with rich and impressive rock formations.

In this article I’m going to tell you about 4 caves in Serra de Aire that you really can’t miss. And they are very close to each other, so you may decide to visit them all in your next itinerary though Central Portugal. My favorites are the less touristy Caves of Santo António, but you can also visit Mira de Aire Caves (the largest and the ones that were voted a Wonder of Nature in Portugal), the Alvados Caves, and the Coin Caves.

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Main Types of Rock Formations in the Caves of Serra de Aire

Very simply, because I’m not a geology expert, I’ve already explained that the caves of Serra de Aire were formed by the dissolution of limestone by water, a process that lasted many millions of years. Inside the caves, however, other rock formations of great interest developed through the crystallization of minerals present in the water, the main ones of which are listed below:

Stalactites – These are the formations that result from the accumulation of calcite crystals on the ceiling of caves through the action of water droplets.
Stalagmites – In this case, calcite crystals are deposited on the ground when drops of water fall from the ceiling. Unlike stalactites, these formations are wider and less pointed.
Columns – These result from the joining of a stalagmite to a stalactite.
Cauliflower – Believed to be the result of the spraying of water droplets when they arrive onto the cave floor from the ceiling. This spraying causes the calcite to spread in an irregular and dispersed manner over the adjacent formations, creating an effect similar in appearance to a cauliflower.

During your visit to the Caves of Serra de Aire, you will certainly be told about many other types of limestone formations, such as curtains or organs, for example. 😉 They’re all truly incredible!

NOTE: Please do not touch the rock formations, as the oil from your skin can damage and even alter the structures you find in the caves, affecting their growth and appearance.

The Main 4 Caves of Serra de Aire and Candeeiros

I’ve already mentioned them, but now I’m going to describe them in more detail. All of them are visitable.

Mira de Aire Caves

The Mira de Aire Caves were discovered in 1947 and are also known as the Moinhos Velhos caves. It is believed that they were formed around 150 million years ago and are part of a network of galleries over 11km long, of which only 600 meters have been accessible since 1974, when they finally opened to the public. These are the largest known caves in Portugal.

The visit route is linear, so the entrance and exit are at different places. They are not recommended for people with reduced mobility, as it will be necessary to descend an absurd number of steps during the visit, which adds up to a fairly significant drop.

Highlights include the great hall, 60 meters high and 45 meters wide, and the Great Lake at the end of the tour, with the waters of an underground river.

1. Do the Mira de Aire Caves have an elevator?

Fortunately, there is an elevator at the end of the route inside of Mira de Aire Caves, which avoids an arduous climb back to the surface. You have to go down a lot of stairs from the entrance, but you don’t have to climb them again!

2. Other infrastructure in the Mira de Aire Caves

As far as the infrastructure is concerned, I’ll start by mentioning the lighting in the caves, in various colors, which was added to enhance the beauty of the various rock formations. I don’t really appreciate it, as they look less natural this way.

Outside the caves, there is a restaurant, a museum of rocks, minerals and fossils, and a water park, known as Aquagruta, which is open from June to September.

It is also possible to hold events inside the caves, such as exhibitions, shows, meetings, dinners and even wine tastings. I’m sure the price isn’t great, but it is possible.

3. Prices, timetables and tickets for the Mira de Aire Caves

The Mira de Aire Caves are open 365 days a year, but opening hours vary according to the season. As prices can change, here is a link to the official website of the Mira de Aire Caves, where you can always access the most up-to-date information.

All visits are accompanied by an employee of the caves and it is not possible to book tickets in advance, except for groups of at least 20 people or for school visits. On arrival at the Mira de Aire caves, you will have to go to the ticket office to buy a ticket for the next descent into the earth! 😉

4. More images of the Mira de Aire Caves

Alvados Caves

The Alvados Caves are smaller than Mira de Aire Caves and the tour circuit is about 350 meters long, linear. There is still some ground to cover, with descents and ascents, so they are not recommended for people with reduced mobility.

The Alvados Caves were discovered by chance in 1964 by a group of workers from the region’s quarries. In the following years, the site was intensively explored and finally opened to the public in 1973, before the previous Mira de Aire caves.

A curiosity is the fact that animal skeletons have been found inside, which you can observe during your visit. Some of the tunnels in the Alvados caves are artificial, opened by man to connect the various galleries for tourists to visit.

In my opinion, these are the least interesting caves on this list, but they are still beautiful! 🙂

1. Alvados Caves prices, timetables and tickets

As I did for the Mira de Aire Caves, here’s the link to always up-to-date information on opening times and prices for the Alvados Caves. In July and August they are normally open every day, but in the remaining months of the year they are closed on Mondays.

It is worth noting that there is a combined ticket for the Alvados Caves and the Santo António Caves, which reduces the total price by a few euros. Visits are always accompanied and last around 30 to 40 minutes.

2. More images of the Alvados Caves

Santo António Caves

The Santo António caves are my favorites, as I’ve already mentioned. Of all the caves I mention in this article, they are the ones with the most extraordinary rock formations, and the ones I consider to be the best preserved. As far as their history is concerned, they were discovered in 1955 by a young country boy who saw a bird coming through an opening.

The tour route is circular, starting and ending at the same point, and its most beautiful feature is the monumental room, which is around 4000m2 and 45 meters high. There are walkways around it, allowing you to see its countless limestone formations from different angles. For many experts, this is one of the most beautiful and richest rooms in the whole of Europe, and also one of the most authentic.

Note 1: These are, for me, the easiest caves to visit for those with physical limitations, as they don't require such steep descents and ascents. However, you won't escape a few stairs, especially near the entrance tunnel.

Note 2: I was lucky enough to spot bats inside! 😉

1. Prices, timetables and tickets for the Santo António Caves

For up-to-date information on timetables, prices and access tickets to the Santo António Caves, visit their official website. The entity that operates these caves is the same that operates the Alvados Caves, so the timetable policy is the same: closed on Mondays, except in the summer months. Don’t forget the possibility of a combined ticket!

2. More images of the Santo António Caves

Coin Caves

The Coin Caves have a very privileged position next to the Sanctuary of Fátima, however, they are located in the district of Leiria, namely in the municipality of Batalha.

The Coin Caves were discovered in 1971 by two hunters who were chasing a fox. Today there is a 350-meter, linear path open to the public, which passes through several underground galleries with formations of very touristy names, such as the Happiness Lake, the Nativity Scene, the Shepherd, the Waterfall, the Red Dome, the Imperfect Chapel and the Fountain of Tears.

The cave got its name from an old legend in which a rich man was being robbed by thieves who wanted to steal his bag of coins. While fleeing, the man ended up falling into the cave, leaving the coins forever inaccessible. 😉

1. Coin Caves infrastructure

As far as the support infrastructure for the Coin Caves is concerned, I would highlight the fact that there is a small Scientific-Environmental Interpretation Center, where a very interesting collection of minerals and fossils is on display.

I should also mention that there is a liqueur tasting included in the ticket, specifically at the end of the visit to the Coin Caves, when you return to the ticket office and store. In that store you may choose to buy these liqueurs, or even other regional products, including handicrafts.

There is also a café and picnic area!

Exhibition of minerals from the Coin Caves

Exhibition of Fossils from the Coin Caves

2. Prices, timetables and tickets for the Coin Caves

The Coin caves are open every day of the year.
Official website

3. More images of the Coin Caves

Map | Location of the Caves in Central Portugal

Accommodation tips to visit the Caves in Serra de Aire

Accommodation	Score	Location
5ª Vigia	9.2	Porto de Mós
Quinta de Rio Alcaide	8.8	Porto de Mós
Wine Press House	9.2	Corredoura
Refúgio das Artes	9.5	Mendiga
Retiro da Avó Lídia	9.2	Mendiga
Noz por Cá	9.2	Alcaria
The Nest	9.0	Alvados
Casa Boho	9.0	Alvados
Pousada da Juventude de Alvados	8.6	Alvados
Emotional Hotel	8.8	Alvados
Parreirais dos Moquinhos	8.7	Minde
Casal dos 5	8.6	Minde
Mocho GuestHouse	9.5	Fátima

Mira de Aire Caves in Central Portugal | How to visit?