4 Best Sights in Andalusia, Spain

The caverns on Sacromonte are thought to have sheltered early Christians. In the 15th century, treasure hunters found bones inside and assumed they belonged to San Cecilio, the city's patron saint. Thus, the hill was sanctified—sacro monte (holy mountain)—and this abbey was built on its summit. Audio guides are available in English.

At this site 20 km (12 miles) west of Ronda, a Spanish guide (who speaks some English) will hand you a paraffin lamp and lead you on a roughly 60-minute walk that reveals prehistoric wall paintings of bison, deer, and horses outlined in black, red, and ocher. One highlight is the Cámara del Pescado (Chamber of the Fish), whose drawing of a huge fish is thought to be 15,000 years old. Tours take place on the hour and last around 1 hour. To book, phone between 10 am and 1 pm only.

Some 4 km (2½ miles) above Zuheros along a winding road, the Cueva de los Murciélagos runs for about 2 km (1 mile), although only about half of that expanse is open to the public. The cave is thought to have been inhabited as far back as tens of thousands of years ago, but what you can see today (by guided tour only) are the wall paintings that archeologists date to the Neolithic Age (6000–3000 BC) and Chalcolithic Age (3000–2000 BC). The cave also is interesting geologically. Visits must be booked in advance by phone or email ([email protected]).

A museum in town (Museo Histórico-Arqueológico Municipal) displays some of the items found in area caves.

In the town of Aracena, the capital of the region, the main attraction is this spectacular cave. Its 12 caverns contain long corridors, stalactites and stalagmites arranged in wonderful patterns, and stunning underground lagoons. Only 1,000 people may visit per day, so go early if visiting in high season.