13 Magical Caves that Look Like They’re From Another Planet

Magical caves are hard to find, yet they are one of the most fascinating and popular travel destinations worldwide. Thousands of people every year go to caves to see the beauty of the natural earth.

Some of the most beautiful caves are crystal caves that make you feel as if you’ve stepped right into the setting of a fantasy novel. Several of these caves have amazing crystal structures that reach from one wall to another, while others glitter with an otherworldly array of light.

When traveling to see one of these 13 underground magical caves, plan to be absolutely amazed.

Magical Caves that Should Be On Your Bucket List

1. Reed Flute Cave in Guangxi, China

This magical cave is located in Guilin, Guangxi, China. The cave is made of multi-colored limestone and is over 180 million years old. It has been given the crowning title of “The Palace of Natural Arts.”

Inside the cave, you can find more than 70 inscriptions written in ink, dated back as far as 792 AD in the Tang Dynasty. This also reveals that millions of curious people have visited the caves for the past 1200 years.

2. Ningwu Ice Cave in Shanxi, China

Not all caves are made from rock. The Ningwu Ice Cave, located in the northern Shanxi province, is famous for several reasons. First of all, the ice cave never melts. It was formed during the ice age—over 3 million years ago—and has stood the tests of time.

The cave dives 85 meters deep, which helps it maintain its cold temperature, even when the outside temperature climbs to above 20 degrees Celsius. It has floor-to-ceiling ice stalactites, making this cave one of the most popular caves in China.

3. Crystal Cave in Skaftafell, Iceland

This crystal cave is the biggest ice cave in Iceland. Its marbled ice is so blue and clear that it often feels as if the sky above you is made of diamonds.

It was discovered in 2005 and is unique because the caves are located within a moving glacier. The caves are constantly reforming, which means that they move from location to location every year.

4. Fingal’s Cave in Scotland

In Scotland, Fingal’s Cave is one of the most well-known sea caves on the uninhabited island of Staffa. It’s known mainly for its natural acoustics. It also has a beautifully unique structure since millions of hexagonally jointed basalt columns formed within a Paleocene lava flow make up the entirety of the walls and ceilings.

Since it’s located on an island, one of the few ways to get to it is by boat. Luckily, you can get some of the top cruise deals by visiting Fingal’s Cave.

5. The Cave of the Three Bridges

In Lebanon, there is a cave titled “The Cave of Three Bridges.” Above the cave, an 837 ft waterfall cascades down into the sinkhole that formed the cave. Three different “bridges” form the outer ring around the waterfall and create, easily, one of the most beautiful natural structures of all time.

6. The Glowworm Caves in New Zealand

The Glowworm Caves located in New Zealand have been featured on National Geographic for their stunning population of glowworms. The worms appear like tiny stars above your head and light the lights with beautiful iridescence. You can even take a boat ride underneath the stunning stars.

7. Mermaid’s Cave in Ireland

These magical caves are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The cave is located near an abandoned castle from the medieval ages. When you’re approaching Mermaid’s Cave, the opening is completely hidden from view.

Only a small hole appears when you get close to it. However, once you’re directly in front, the cave opens to reveal a stunning cave with crashing waves flowing into the entrance.

8. Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, USA

The Carlsbad Caverns National Park is in the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico and features more than 100 caves. Each one is unique in size and is beautiful on its own. This collection of magical caves is one of the most diverse in all of the world.

Also, this cave is famous for abundant fossils, making way for lengthy historical, paleontological research. It’s one of the best sites where paleontologists dig up, collect, and manage fossils, as you can see on this website.

9. Cave of Crystals in Chihuahua, Mexico

When you walk into the Cave of Crystals, located in Chihuahua, Mexico, it feels as if you’ve entered a strange planet of the Star Wars universe. The cave is 300 meters below the ground and is filled with crystals from the top to the bottom of the cave.

Some of the heaviest crystals are estimated to weigh over 55 tons. The crystals inside the cave have been growing for over 500,000 years and create a breathtaking experience.

10. Ice Cave Near the Mutnovsky Volcano

This cave near the Mutnovsky Volcano is commonly called an “otherworldly experience.” It was formed by a stream that flows through a glacier and is breathtaking. When people are allowed to enter the magical caves, the inside reveals massive caverns with a nearly transparent roof, similar to a stained-glass cathedral.

11. Hang Son Doong in Vietnam

The Hang Son Doong is the world’s largest cave that has been found. The cave is so large and so old that it even has its own weather on the inside. Many people compare it to a “prehistoric” cave and expect to see dinosaurs walking around the corner, just out of sight. It truly is something to behold.

12. Wookey Hole Caves, UK

A river known as the Axe River runs freely through the Wookey Hole Caves in the UK. These magical caves consist of a series of limestone caverns and even boasts an old witchy folktale.

13. Ruby Falls, TN, USA

Above this cave is a 145 ft waterfall that cascades down into a beautiful cavern. It is a beautiful natural wonder that inspires awe in every person who visits. Let yourself be transported into a place of wonder and beauty, and allow yourself to step outside of the real world through these magical caves. 

If you’re looking to do something adventurous during your travels, adding some of these magical caves is sure to make for some incredible photos, footage, and adventure stories if you’re looking for more magical places to explore, like castles or storybook places, be sure to subscribe so you never miss a post!