Tito Bustillo Cave

The Tito Bustillo cave holds one of the most complete ensembles of Palaeolithic art on the Cantabrian coast, with twelve groups of paintings and engravings spread throughout the cavity. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2008, along with other caves in Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country. It was discovered a little over half a century ago by a group of Asturian cavers, in the Ardines massif, next to the Cuevona.

What you see

To preserve it, only the Main Panel is visited, and only for a few months a year. It is the most important chamber in the cave for its number of figures and variety of techniques: almost a hundred depictions, mostly deer, horses and reindeer, as well as ibex, bison, an aurochs and seventeen signs, painted in red, black and violet and some engraved. From the viewing point you can mostly make out the large two-colour horses and reindeer, of the Magdalenian period, from between 17,000 and 12,000 years ago, painted over a large red patch. Beneath there is an older phase, from before about 20,000 years ago, with red signs.

Season, sessions and prices

In 2026 it opened from 4 March to 30 October, Wednesday to Sunday, with the first session at 10:15 and the last at 17:00. It is now closed and reopens in March 2027. Each session is a maximum of 15 people, and 150 enter in total per day. General admission costs €4.14 and the reduced rate, for ages 7 to 11 and other groups, €2.12. On Wednesdays entry is free, with an invitation.

How to book

In high season you must buy online, and it is best to do so in advance. The visit is guided and in Spanish only. You must report to the reception at the rock art centre, about 300 metres beyond the cave, at least 30 minutes before your session. Groups of 20 or more book by phone, on 985 185 860, or at [email protected].

Before you go in

The visit lasts an hour and covers more than a kilometre and a half inside the cave. Inside it is about 13 ºC and the ground is muddy, damp and slippery: bring a coat and footwear with grip. The minimum age is 7. No photos or videos may be taken, and you may not bring food, drink or pets; as there are no lockers they recommend not bringing a rucksack.

Getting there

By the A-8, take exit 326, west of the town, and before the bridge over the Sella turn right onto Avenida de Tito Bustillo; or at 319, cross the bridge and turn left. Alsa buses and Renfe's narrow-gauge train between Oviedo and Santander reach Ribadesella.

Out of season, or if there are no places left, the rock art centre explains the cave and its Main Panel with reproductions.