Cueva El Soplao
Cueva El Soplao
4.5
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4.5
2,257 reviews
Excellent
1,380
Very good
633
Average
127
Poor
34
Terrible
83
Andy P
Birmingham, UK92 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
On the positive side, these caves are amazing with spectacular stalagmite and stalactites and rock formations. For these, it would have been a 5* review.
But for English speakers it’s not a good experience. The whole tour is in Spanish (I accept I’m in Spain and should speak their language better, but contrasting our experiences here v Altamira and it was a world apart). There are no audio guides, no leaflets and when I queried it I was told it needs a group of 20+ English speakers. The group was large (maybe 40 people) and we were hurried along. Worse - you are not allowed to take pictures and it is policed aggressively and strongly.
So whilst the caves are brilliant, it didn’t feel a welcoming experience for non-Spanish tourists and given the 14.50 euro pp fee, left us feeling it was not worth the money.
El Soplao - if you read reviews, visit Altamira to see how it’s done in a more inclusive, tourist friendly manner.
But for English speakers it’s not a good experience. The whole tour is in Spanish (I accept I’m in Spain and should speak their language better, but contrasting our experiences here v Altamira and it was a world apart). There are no audio guides, no leaflets and when I queried it I was told it needs a group of 20+ English speakers. The group was large (maybe 40 people) and we were hurried along. Worse - you are not allowed to take pictures and it is policed aggressively and strongly.
So whilst the caves are brilliant, it didn’t feel a welcoming experience for non-Spanish tourists and given the 14.50 euro pp fee, left us feeling it was not worth the money.
El Soplao - if you read reviews, visit Altamira to see how it’s done in a more inclusive, tourist friendly manner.
Written 15 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alden
Hemel Hempstead, UK1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
I payed over 100 euros for me and my family to go here. Once we got here barely even that late they refused to let us on and say they had gotten rid of our tickets and they were not able to give us refund this is extremely unprofessional and I will not tolerate this
This place has horrible customer service they we didn't know Spanish so I heard them talking to eachother about us which again is extremely unprofessional. I feel discriminated against and excluded this was not a professional environment.
Horrible service would not recommend to my worst enemy. If I could give zero stars I would.
This was an extremely unfair decision and as I write this review my blood is still boiling. My feelings are hurt andy day is ruined
This place has horrible customer service they we didn't know Spanish so I heard them talking to eachother about us which again is extremely unprofessional. I feel discriminated against and excluded this was not a professional environment.
Horrible service would not recommend to my worst enemy. If I could give zero stars I would.
This was an extremely unfair decision and as I write this review my blood is still boiling. My feelings are hurt andy day is ruined
Written 30 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wags63
Epsom, UK498 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
The journey to the caves is an expedition in itself, but they did not disappoint. Arrive early if you haven't booked - very efficient train into the caves and a bout 45 minutes round them. More than just the usual stalactite formations - some very flowery ones too and colours as well. The visit is in Spanish but they have an English brochure and its prety self explanatory. we really enjoyed the visit.
Written 10 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Watfordduck
Eastbourne, UK18 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
Went here on a rainy day in August - highly recommend, but phone or visit to book ahead - it's very busy. Even the drive up is great, and we loved the cave.
Written 22 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carochie
London, UK626 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
We booked ahead and did the longer "Adventure" tour. It is worth it to see something the mass of visitors never see - is fun passing the tourists doing standard visit wearing all white outfits and lighted helmets, they stare wondering where we are off to.
The BIG shame is the tour is very much catered for Spanish and we struggled to understand with our limited Spanish. Recommendation: they should print English info sheet that can be read at the various stops when the guide is explaining lots of info in Spanish, which got boring for our kids.
But the "scramble" parts up and down tight tunnels (you need to be a bit fit) and the going into complete darkness at the deepest part is AMAZING. I have NEVER seen dark like that!
p.s. one of our BEST meals on 2 week vacation was lunch at the cafe here.
The BIG shame is the tour is very much catered for Spanish and we struggled to understand with our limited Spanish. Recommendation: they should print English info sheet that can be read at the various stops when the guide is explaining lots of info in Spanish, which got boring for our kids.
But the "scramble" parts up and down tight tunnels (you need to be a bit fit) and the going into complete darkness at the deepest part is AMAZING. I have NEVER seen dark like that!
p.s. one of our BEST meals on 2 week vacation was lunch at the cafe here.
Written 14 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
manhattanmom
Fez, Morocco881 contributions
Sept 2012 • Couples
We visited the caves on September 4th with Spanish friends of ours who planned a 6 day visit of the Basque Country. We took the last tour out that day at 6:00 in the evening. To get to the caves, you drive on these lovely winding mountain roads that take you through some charming villages. The turn off for the caves takes you up through the mountain (about a 3 KM drive) to get to the cave's entrance. When you get to the visitor's center, there's a train (about a 3 minute train ride) that takes you into the depths of the caves. Then, there's about a 500 foot walk to the caves' entrance. Once you enter the caves, the sight is staggeringly beautiful -- stalagtites and stalagmites abound at every turn. You don't know where to look first. In one room, classical musical was playing as we gazed at the delicate shapes of these natural formations. My only regret is that you are absolutely forbidden to take photos. And, the only negative is that the tours are only in Spanish. While I speak some Spanish and was able to understand about 50% of what was said, my husband doesn't speak much at all and didn't understand anything. However, by asking our guide, we found out that she spoke perfect English given that her husband was from GB. So, after each talk/segment given in Spanish, we would walk with her while she repeated the highlights in English of what she explained to the group. While she didn't translate 100% of what she said in Spanish, we got most of it. So, if you go there and you don't speak English, ask the guide if he or she speaks English. Chances are, you'll be in luck.
By the way, I highly recommend that you spend the night in Ruente at the hotel del torre. It's a typical Spanish Cassona (inn) not too far from the caves . . . very charming. The village was only a 20 minute drive from the caves.
By the way, I highly recommend that you spend the night in Ruente at the hotel del torre. It's a typical Spanish Cassona (inn) not too far from the caves . . . very charming. The village was only a 20 minute drive from the caves.
Written 20 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MMMM
Dorking, UK363 contributions
Jul 2011
As caves these are an experience not to be missed, what lets this attraction down are two things, there were no translations to English and there was a definate feeling of being hurried and herded, on two occasions we were called to hurry up when really there was little point in standing in a group and not understanding a word that was said. This is not a cheap experience 38 euro, 2 adults and 2 children for all of one hour. Perhaps some of the entrance fee could be spent on some audio guides in English. They are certainly no concessions for experiencing 50% of the experience.
Written 15 July 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
trash,garbage. no refund rude mean disgusting staff.refused to give us a refund after paying 100 euros for 7 people 😡😡😡
Written 30 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elyna T
United Kingdom47 contributions
Aug 2019
We went twice. First was spontaneous, arrived by 3 pm and tickets all sold out. Went home, booked tickets for the next day and went again, better prepared. The drive up there was beautiful and fresh to the eyes. Plenty of parking space. Gift shop sells interesting stuff. Adequate selection of hot and cold food at the cafeteria and the view whilst you sit and eat is just amazing. Train into the cave was broken so we were walked into the cave. Each group gets a guide who only speaks in Spanish. Inside is just so beautiful. We went earlier this week (summer) and brought a jumper each. A light jumper is sufficient. It's a little chilly up there and inside the cave. Go, because it'll give you totally different experience in your holiday. However, you'll only get to describe how it looks like to your family and friends because photos are not allowed. Not even without flash. Not sure why. It sucks coz what you'll see is amazing and naturally one will want to immortalise it in photos. If you really want to, be creative.
Written 18 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert E
Southampton, UK168 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
This place is absolutely amazing. You first enter the cave by an old mining train which only takes about 3 minutes. After that there is about 1 kilometre of pathways to follow all of which is either flat or gently sloping, there is one part that has about 18-20 steps but if you are in a wheel chair or would find it hard to climb them they have a lift for you to use. The brosure states that the guided tour is all in Spanish but when we went there was only about 20 people in the tour and the guide said to use as it was only a small party she would tell us about it in an abridged form at the end of each section which she did. To see the crystals when they turn the lights on is just truly amazing. This has to be the best cave system we have ever been in. NOT TO BE MISSED. Cave temp at a constant 12-12 degrees.
Written 20 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola, en el sitio sólo hay el restaurante de acceso a la cueva. El entorno y las vistas son magníficas, subiendo también hay un mirador. Pero si puedes i vas con tiempo intenta ir hacia el desfiladero de la Hermida, está a unos 20 minutos, y justo antes de empezar al bajar al desfiladero hay un desvio para ver un mirador de esos que quitan el hipo. Toda la zona es preciosa para hacer paseos tranquilos, y si te atreves a subir hacia los pueblitos altos de los picos, es bastante bonito, aunque las carreteras son no aptas para gente que se marea... biodramina por si acaso antes de ir y un buen coche.
Otra opció es irte hacia la parte de la costa, visitar Potes... depende del tiempo que tengas.
La visita se hace en 1 hora, y te hacen entrar por turnos, así que si vas en temporada alta, calcula unas tres horas por ahí, aunque saques la entrada por internet tienes que pasar por taquilla y te meten en un turno.
Written 30 April 2020
Mi madre no anda muy bien tiene que llevar bastones como puede visitar las cuevas si no anda
Written 22 January 2020
En el grupo que yo iba habia una sra que iba con muletas, en una parte de la visita que habia escaleras, la llevaron por otro sitio que habia elevador. Pero yo creo que lo ideal seria llamar y preguntar. Saludos
Written 22 January 2020
flopezmor
Seville, Spain
Buenas: tengo dos entradas que por error he comprado para visitar la Cueva el día 01-09-19 a las 16:30 cuando yo llego allí el día 2. ¿Alguien que esté interesado quiere comprármelas? Las dos me han salido por internet en 26,40 € y las dejo en 20 € porque tengo que comprar las del día 2. Tengo el correo de confirmación de la compra con el número de localizador. Este correo se presenta en taquilla y te dan las entradas. Gracias
Written 11 June 2019
Si enseńas el correo de confirmacion y te dan las entradas.
Written 12 June 2019
No es mala, eso si, tiene muchas curvas y muy cuesta arriba (para la ida). Hay que tener cuidado con los vehículos con los que te cruces, pero nada más. El paisaje es magnífico y carretera divertida para conducir.
Written 4 August 2018
Hola y gracias de antemano. Solo queria saber si alguien ha hecho la ruta aventura. Cuantos kms son, la dificultad, si se aprecia el sitio por donde se va, etc. Me imagino que sera a oscuras y solo te ayudas de linternas en el casco. Resumiendo. Merece la pena?
Written 15 October 2017
Hola, a mi si me gusto, es mucho más natural, no hay nada ni barandillas ni luz, es un bonito paseo, para mi, si mereció la pena, no tiene dificultad, podría decir que es para casi todos los públicos
Written 16 October 2017
Hola. Es una ruta complicada para ir una mujer embarazada de 6 meses??
Written 4 September 2017
La visita normal no tiene ninguna complicación, te llevan en un tren pequeñito hasta la entrada de la cueva y una vez dentro son pasillos y algunos escalones. Sólo ir con cuidado por alguna zona de suelo húmedo y llevar una chaqueta, la temperatura interior creo recordar son trece grados. Espero haberte ayudado.
Written 5 September 2017
jpeces2017
Sonseca, Spain
Hola, me gustaría saber si se puede comer allí y cuánto valdría comer. Gracias.
Written 20 August 2017
Buenos días! Hay un restaurante allí en la cueva. Tiene menú del día a buen precio (no recuerdo exactamente). También había raciones. La comida está bien. Y es bastante cómodo comer allí (íbamos con 3 niños). Nosotros fuimos a la visita a la 1, y nos quedamos a comer allí a la salida, ya que llovía.
Con lo cual, puedo decir que lo recomiendo. Además dejan compartir menús (opción interesante cuando vas con niños). Espero que esta información te sea de utilidad.
Written 21 August 2017
Quiero ir con una niña de 2 años y uno de 5. Quisiera saber cuánto dura la visita y si, en caso de agobio, se puede abandonar antes de finalizarla.
Written 9 August 2017
Pienso que la edad mínima para acceder al Turismo-Aventura es 12 años. Y aunque no sea esta la edad mínima pienso que los niños irían mejor a la visita del tren, que dura sobre 50 minutos y no hay ningún riesgo de agobio, lo disfrutarán
Written 9 August 2017
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