Aracena & Riotinto Mines Tour from Seville
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore Aracena's stunning Gruta de las Maravillas cave
- Experience a mining train ride through Riotinto Mines
- Discover the unique red-hued landscapes of Riotinto
- Learn about the rich mining history of the region
- Enjoy scenic views during the journey from Seville
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of Aracena's Gruta de las Maravillas cave
- Visit to Riotinto Mines with mining train ride
- Round-trip transportation from Seville
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
We will start the trip from Seville.
La Gruta de la Maravillas (the Cave of Wonders) is a network of limestone caverns located in the town of Aracena. This natural underground monument is situated in the old centre of Aracena, under the hill crowned by the medieval castle and Priory Church of la Señora del Mayor Dolor, and has been open since 1914. The guided tour of Las Maravillas Cave follows a circular route of around 1km, and takes around 45 minutes. The visit includes two of the three levels of the cavity, at temperatures of between 16-19 degrees and relative humidity of 98%. The scenery of these caves has formed over many thousands of years through a process known as “karstification” - the slow erosion of limestone, gradually dissolved by carbonic acid, producing fissures, sinkholes, underground streams, and caverns.
For many years the town has been dependent on the mines from which it derives its name. Minas de Riotinto reached its peak of prosperity and importance in the late 19th and early 20th century, when the mines were in full production and the population was 200,000. The town itself was built on rolling hills, now covered by pine and eucalyptus trees planted by the British for use in the mines. Minas de Riotinto has a golf course called Corta Atalaya Golf. named after the vast open-pit mine nearby. One of the first golf courses to be built in Spain, its purpose was to keep the British mining engineers content and occupied in their leisure time.
The origin pat of Aracena is at the top of the hill occupied by the Castle and the Priory Church. In medieval times it was a fortified town, defended by a stone wall and the fortress. Archaeological remains from the 10th-13th centuries have been found in this location, which are evidence of an Al-Andalus town related to the Qatrasana settlement documented in Islamic texts. The interior Aracena Castle contains dwellings from the Al-Andalus era and a number of buildings from the medieval fortress. The entry to the Castle enclosure is via the secondary gate to the Alcázar. This area, which is located at the highest and most easterly part of the hill, is that which makes up the fortified enclosure of Aracena next to the bailey.
After this beautiful trip, we will head back to Seville
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour is conducted in English; ensure you are comfortable with the language.
- The tour involves walking and may include stairs; consider your mobility when booking.
- Check the weather forecast for the day of the tour to dress appropriately.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for cave exploration and uneven terrain.
- Bring a light jacket, as temperatures can vary inside the cave and during the train ride.
- Carry a camera to capture the unique landscapes and historical sites.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- Infant seats are available on request if requested in advance
Traveler reviews
Punctuality, trivia and scarce times.
Punctuality of more than half an hour, not only in this tour, but also in the other 2 I did with the company. I also know that other excursions left late, as I saw them leave after the most heartfelt apology for the delay. On the Aracena excursion, Riotinto, grotto of wonders, did not comply with what was described in the itinerary. The whole part related to the mine of rather little interest, a filling to justify the trip to the Grotto of Wonders; and for the only thing that could be striking, which is that Martian landscape, we spent it from afar with the car without interacting with the particular nature of the site, and to finish the comment of the guide "there are activities in which you can walk around"... while the destination was to see a monolith in the middle of nowhere dedicated to the British fallen in the 2nd world war (with all the respect they deserve, but that nothing painted within the excursion). All we could see of the red river is the photo with maximum zoom. On the other hand, the tours sin of what sin all the tours I have done, hour and a half of explanations and then a ridiculous time to enjoy the sites.
Be careful what you anticipate
Well, to be honest, apart from the incredible caves of Aracena, the rest of the trip proved mediocre. I would greatly advise any visitor with walking difficulties to avoid the cave complex due the number ( especially one section) of very demanding steps leading to one particular gallery. Another suggestion ( although available in the 'much-dismissed UK') is the availability of safety helmets - due to some sections proving quite low. As for general Aracena - well there's very little there apart from the caves. A cautionery note for my fellow British travellers - be aware of the overt discrimination shown in some eateries. We sat for thirty minutes and found ourselves totally ignored in favour of the Spanish diners being attended to long after our arrival. A very poor show. I advocate a packed lunch with a proper 'Blighty' thermos of tea!! Oh, and lastly, be aware of the 'stinking English' ubiquitous titular. Sine dubio Rick Sinclair
Great excursion
We recommend doing this really rewarding excursion! Our guide Sergio was exceptional, rich in knowledge and thanks to him we were able to see really great places we would not have been without knowing. The cave of wonders is also superb! Not to be missed:)
Amazing natural wonder and authentic restaurant experiences.
As a result from our good experience w/ the bike tour, we booked our private tour to Gruta de las Maravillas. It’s nice to change the scene from Seville to the small towns w/ a comfortable transportation. The underground cave is really a natural wonder. The limestone formations are so stunning, the “lake” water was so pure and clear. Our guide Nacho brought us to an authentic restaurant and helped us order food that he would normally eat. We feel that we are truly immersed to some local experiences.
Visit to Minas Riotinto
The visit very interesting and complete. They need to better indicate where to go because the visit consisted of 5 activities and had to travel by car between them. For a full day and do something different. To avoid the hot season.