23 breathtaking photos of caves around the world

Caves are natural holes underneath the surface of the earth—hollowed out rock typically formed by water. If you’ve ever been able to visit one in person, you know how amazing it feels to stand inside. If you haven’t had the chance to visit one in person, or just want to experience more caves around the world, get taken away with these breathtaking photos of these natural creations.

Melissani Cave is located on the Greek island of Kefalonia. It has two chambers within the cave, one chamber is open at the top and sunlit, while the other is dark and covered in moss, stalagmites, and algae.

Benagil Cave sits on the southern coast of Algarve, Portugal. The currents around the cave can be strong so instead of swimming, many people will travel to visit the cave using a stand-up paddleboard or by boat.

This cave is in northern Bulgaria. It was named after two brothers, Seyu and Sae, who are rumoured to have hidden in the cave during the Ottoman occupation of Bulgaria. The cave is known for having excellent acoustic conditions and occasionally concerts are held there.

Reed Flute Cave was named after the green reeds that grow outside of it that people use to make flutes. This spectacular cave is located in Guilin, China. Coloured lights illuminate the stalactites, stone pillars, and rock formations within the cave for tourists to look at.

The Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains, Australia is one of the most breathtaking sites you can visit in the area. It’s one of the oldest cave systems in the world and is filled with underground rivers and limestone crystal formations.

This huge cave, that looks almost like a wave, was formed from either a hot spring underneath the glacier or meltwater from the surface. This ice climber is 24 metres deep in the glacier cave.

The Grotta Azzurra or Blue Grotto is located on the island of Capri in Italy. Even though the blue of the water in this photo looks fake, it hasn’t been retouched. The water inside the cave is a crystalline blue with silver reflections.

Seen here is the entrance to one of the chambers in the Arta Caves in Mallorca. Huge stalactites hand down from the ceiling creating gorgeous cathedral-like structures. Guided tours with special effects of given of the different chambers.

The Phraya Nakhon Cave is located inside Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park in the Prachuap Khiri Khan Province of Thailand. In the morning, sunlight fills the cave illuminating the small pavilion that sits at the bottom of it. The Khuha Kharuehat Pavilion was built in 1890 for the visit of King Chulalongkorn.