Caves in the Marina Alta are being given a huge push as tourist attractions. The Association of Spanish Tourist Caves (ACTE) wants to promote what it calls ‘underground tourism’, particularly amongst those who are less keen on spending their summer holidays topping up their tans on Costa Blanca beaches.

The Coves del Rull in the Vall d’Ebo (photo), the Coves de les Calaveres in Benidoleig and the Cova de l’Atzúvia are the three main ones in the Alicante province which are being advertised as popular attractions, although the ACTE has also visited the Cuevas de Don Juan in Jalance (Valle de Ayora-Cofrentes, Valencia province).

The caves in Benidoleig date back to the mid and late Paleolithic eras and valuable archaeological findings have been discovered inside them. Information published in four languages and a touch-screen display giving details of the caves and the village itself are now available at the entrance to Les Calaveres.

The Coves del Rull were discovered by a man out hunting in the early 20th century. A rabbit disappeared down a hole and his dog followed, hence the hunter, known in the village as El Rull, followed him, discovering as he did so a million year-old cave. Guided tours of these fascinating underground rock formations run hourly.