Cueva de los Murciélagos in Zuheros

The Cueva de los Murciélagos (Bat Cave) opens in the sierra above Zuheros, in the north of the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park, about four kilometres from the village along a mountain road. It is a limestone cave visited only with a guide, in groups, and you must book beforehand. The visit lasts about an hour and a half and involves going up and down a lot of steps, so it is worth knowing what you are getting into before you book.

Seven hundred steps to the Organ Chamber

The tourist route goes down 65 metres and advances about 415 inside, with some 700 steps: half down and half up, as far as the Organ Chamber, where you turn round. It is not a visit for anyone with knee or back problems, or for children who tire quickly of stairs. Inside it is cool all year round: bring a jacket even if it is hot outside.

Booking at the Ecomuseum

Everything is handled at the Cueva de los Murciélagos Ecomuseum, an interpretation centre 200 metres from the cave entrance. Bookings are made by telephone on 957 694 545, Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 13:30, except public holidays and long weekends; it is not staffed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The Ecomuseum is open Wednesday to Friday from 9:00 to 12:30, and at weekends, public holidays and long weekends from 10:00 to 14:00 and in the afternoon, from 16:00 to 17:00 from October to March and from 17:00 to 18:00 from April to September.

The municipal ordinance published in 2023 sets admission at €8 and €6.50 for ages 6 to 12; confirm the price and the times of the tours when you book, because they may change.

Going up from Zuheros

From Zuheros you drive up a winding road to the car park next to the Ecomuseum. On foot, the trail from Zuheros to the Cueva de los Murciélagos climbs from the village through the sierra, an option for anyone who wants to make a full day of it.

Eating in Zuheros on the way down

After the cave, in Zuheros, the Zuhayra restaurant serves Subbética cooking with cheeses from the village, and in the same building is the Hotel Rural Zuhayra. The cave is one of the stops on the Sunday in Priego and Zuheros, along with the Barrio de la Villa and the Fuente del Rey.