Mira de Aire Cave — Attraction in Porto de Mós

Visiting the Mira de Aire Caves was an extraordinary experience and without a doubt one of the most impressive natural wonders in Portugal. The descent into the cave is already exciting – you go down more than 600 steps, moving deeper and deeper underground, and with each level the atmosphere changes, the air becomes cooler, and the sense of mystery grows.

The rock formations are simply breathtaking. Stalactites and stalagmites of all shapes and sizes fill the chambers, some delicate and thin like needles, others massive and sculptural, looking almost like works of art created by nature over millions of years. The lighting is beautifully arranged to highlight the natural patterns and colors of the stone, creating dramatic and magical scenes everywhere you look.

What really impressed me was the scale of the cave. Some sections are narrow and winding, making you feel like an explorer, while others open up into huge halls with soaring ceilings that make you realize just how vast this underground world is. The echoes of dripping water and the play of light on the rock surfaces create an unforgettable atmosphere.

Along the way, there are plenty of spots where you can stop and take in the view, admire the details, and imagine the slow natural process that shaped everything you see. It’s not just beautiful, it’s also humbling to realize that these formations took thousands upon thousands of years to form.

By the time you reach the lower levels, the journey feels like a complete adventure – moving from chamber to chamber, discovering something new each time, and always surrounded by the impressive natural architecture of the cave.

Overall, the Mira de Aire Caves are an absolute must-see for anyone who loves nature, geology, or simply wants to experience something truly unique. It’s one of those places that leaves you with a lasting memory and a deep appreciation for the hidden wonders...

Definitely worth a visit if you like caves and underground rivers. It's not hot inside (it sits at around 17°C), but it's not chilly either. But if droplets of water falling on top of your head at random moments might piss you off, consider taking a light jacket (if it's raining outside brace yourself, because I heard it will feel similar inside). I am not a fan of rain but those sparse drops did not bother me at all. In fact, they actually help put into perspective how the cave was created and why it looks the way it does! The guide provides a fair amount of information, but most of it is on the leaflet that comes with the ticket.

Even though there are a few man-made features (stairs, lights and water fountains), most of the experience is actually seeing the natural waters and untouched rock formations. The photos on the reviews usually show the last part of the visit (the fountains), which I believe was done almost explicitly to cover up old 'carvings' (graffiti) done on the wall.

Trust me, the photos do not make justice of what you actually see and learn from the experience! Definitely recommend it to any native and tourists to see!

Besides the cave, you also have a little farm/zoo right next to the building. It has bunnies, many kinds of birds, two pigs, cats, a dog, a donkey, a pony and goats! I didn't like the geese (they're noisy), but all other animals are great entertainment while you wait for the cave tour (or to walk around after it).

PS: They also have a restaurant which, at the time we went there (november), was nearly empty but served one of the best steaks I've eaten in my stay in the area. If you love steak (and cheese), definitely go for the 'Bife especial ao queijo' medium rare, it...

Starting my review with a WARNING that the starting point and end point are not the same and there is a 5-10 min walk up hill to get back to the main entrance area. While this might now sound like much, after a steep walk down ~600 stairs with 2 small children it felt like a lot!

Now that that's out of the way, the cave is HUGE and very scenic and beautiful 😍

There are lots of areas that make for lovely photos/ selfies and just enough light that they come out half decent. It's 17°C which is refreshing on a hot day, not so cool that you need a coat or jacket, but you might want one if you tend to run cold. We all found it too hot with jackets on especially since you're moving at a decent pace to get down the steps and keep up with the group.

When they tell you that the lights are on timers and turn off after the group passes, they are not kidding, we did end up in the dark at the end as we were moving slowly with a 2 year old who wanted to walk themselves. Luckily it was just the last minute of the tour but a heads up to others... It's not the type of place you'd want to wander in the dark (steep, wet steps).

We went on the 2:30 tour on a Tuesday in August and there were 58 people in our group - when we came back to the entrance area we saw a MUCH larger group waiting to get in.

Also worth noting is there's an 8 min video at the beginning of the tour explaining all you need to know about the cave. They have a QR code at the front of the room near the screen for anyone who needs the video and /or tour translated in other languages. There are numbers for you to follow with the audio guide as you walk through the cave.

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