Just a few kilometres from Ronda, on the outskirts of the white village of Benaoján, lies one of the most spectacular cave systems in Spain. Cueva de la Pileta is home to extraordinary Palaeolithic cave paintings, some dating back more than 20,000 years, created by prehistoric people who lived in the mountains around Ronda. Best of all, the cave is open to the public, with local guides who explain the significance of the paintings and help bring this remarkable piece of our distant past to life.
Unlike many prehistoric cave sites, Cueva de la Pileta can be visited on a guided tour. The cave is privately managed, and visits must be booked in advance, making it possible to explore its extraordinary paintings with a guide who can explain their significance.
How to book a visit to Pileta Paleolithic Cave Paintings at Benaojan
The Cave is open all year round but you MUST reserve in advance. Visits are guided in Spanish and English in a group with a maximum of 2o people and the visit lasts for about an hour.
Reservations: Tel: +34 677 610 500 Attention hours: 10:00h to 13:00h. SMS messages will not be answered.
Alternatively, Ask your hotel reception to make a reservation for you.
Website of the Pileta cave:
https://www.cuevadelapileta.es
Visiting hours
- Weekdays: 11:30 h, 13:00h y 16:00h
- Weekend and holidays: 11:00h, 12:00h, 13:00h, 16:00h
Rates
- Adults: 15 €
- Children (5 to 10 years): 10 €
- Students (or groups more than 15 people): 10 €
Observations:
You need to be at the Cave 20 minutes before your allocated entry time, otherwise the reservation may be canceled. Note that the path that ascends from the parking to the Cave entrance takes about 10 minutes to walk.
If you don’t have reservation you maybe able to join a group if there are places available due to no shows, late arrivals or cancellations but it is best to reserve your visit in advance to ensure you get in.
The Setting and Entrance to Cueva de la Pileta
Pileta is situated at around 670 metres above sea level, and the cave entrance is approximately 40 metres above the road. The views across the surrounding countryside are wonderful, although the walk up to the entrance can be difficult for some visitors. Once inside, however, most people find the guided tour manageable, and even visitors who are not particularly fit can enjoy exploring this remarkable cave.
The cave was rediscovered in 1905 by José Bullón Lobato, a local farmer who was collecting bat guano to use as fertiliser. Following the bats, he discovered a small opening and crawled inside. What he found was extraordinary: cave paintings, pottery and human bones. At first, he believed the paintings might be medieval, but he eventually abandoned his explorations.
In 1911, a retired British colonel, Willoughby Verner, heard about the paintings and visited the cave. Their significance soon became apparent, and the discovery helped bring Cueva de la Pileta to the attention of the wider world.
Numerous animal and human bones have been found inside the cave, some dating back more than 30,000 years. The paintings themselves are thought to be more than 20,000 years old, providing a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the prehistoric people who inhabited the mountains around Ronda.
The paintings depict a remarkable variety of subjects, including cows, birds, deer, dolphins, tortoises, people and fish. There are also mysterious lines and markings that have been compared to an ancient calendar. The precise meaning of many of these images remains uncertain, but their variety offers a fascinating insight into how prehistoric people observed and represented the world around them.
It is remarkable to think that people were creating these images in the mountains around Ronda tens of thousands of years ago. Cueva de la Pileta is an extraordinary link to that distant past, and the opportunity to enter the cave and see the paintings with a local guide makes the experience all the more special.
FAQ — Pileta Paleolithic Cave Paintings at Benaoján
Cueva de la Pileta, near Benaoján in the mountains around Ronda, contains an extraordinary collection of prehistoric paintings and markings. The images include animals, human figures and abstract symbols, offering a fascinating glimpse into the lives of people who inhabited this region thousands of years ago. Some of the paintings are believed to be more than 20,000 years old, making the cave one of the most remarkable prehistoric sites in Andalucía.
The cave is open throughout the year, but you should reserve your visit in advance. Bookings are made by telephone on +34 677 610 500, with the reservation line open daily from 10:00 to 13:00.
The published visiting times are 11:30, 13:00 and 16:00 on weekdays, and 11:00, 12:00, 13:00 and 16:00 at weekends and on public holidays. Each group is limited to 20 people. Check your chosen time when booking, as schedules can change.
Visitors without a reservation may be able to join a group if places are available, but this is not guaranteed.
Allow around an hour to an hour and 20 minutes for the guided visit. The tour takes you through the cave’s galleries, where a guide explains the paintings, markings and archaeological significance of the site.
You should also allow time to walk up from the car park to the cave entrance. The uphill path takes around 5–10 minutes and includes a flight of uneven steps, so arrive early rather than leaving the climb until the last moment.
The published admission prices are:
Adults and young people aged 11 and over: €15
Children aged 5–10: €10
Children under 5: Free
School and university groups of at least 15 people: €10 per person
Prices and group arrangements can change, so confirm the cost when making your reservation.
The cave was rediscovered in 1905 by José Bullón Lobato, a local farmer who was collecting bat guano to use as fertiliser. Following the bats, he entered a small opening and discovered prehistoric paintings, pottery and human bones.
The British colonel Willoughby Verner visited the cave in 1911 after hearing about the paintings. Their significance attracted wider attention, and the French prehistorian Henri Breuil was among those who subsequently investigated the site.
The Bullón family has played a central role in looking after the cave and guiding visitors for generations.
The paintings include cows, deer, birds, fish, dolphins, tortoises and human figures, alongside a variety of lines and abstract markings. Some of these markings have been compared to an ancient calendar, although the precise meaning of many images remains uncertain.
The variety of subjects is part of what makes the cave so fascinating. These are not simply pictures of animals, but a surviving record of how prehistoric people represented aspects of the world around them.
The visit involves an uphill walk from the car park to the entrance, followed by a guided tour through uneven cave passages. There are steps and areas where the ground can be slippery, so suitable footwear is important.
The climb to the entrance can be difficult for some visitors, although many people who would not consider themselves particularly fit can still enjoy the tour. The cave is not suitable for people with significant mobility difficulties, and anyone concerned about managing the route should check with the cave before booking.
Young children may also find the climb and uneven surfaces challenging.
No. Photography is prohibited during the visit, including the use of mobile phones and camera equipment. These restrictions help protect the cave and its prehistoric paintings. Visitors should follow the guide’s instructions and avoid touching the paintings, cave walls or formations.
Cueva de la Pileta remains closely associated with the Bullón family, whose members have cared for the cave and guided visitors for generations. Access is organised in small groups, with visits led by a guide who explains the cave’s history and paintings.
The limited group size helps manage visitor access to this remarkable prehistoric site.
Cueva de la Pileta offers something very different from Ronda’s historic streets, bridges and viewpoints. Inside the mountain is a remarkable collection of prehistoric paintings created thousands of years ago, giving visitors a direct connection with the people who inhabited this landscape long before the town existed in its present form.
The guided visit, the dramatic setting and the extraordinary age of the paintings make it a worthwhile excursion for anyone interested in archaeology, history or the distant past of Andalucía. It also combines naturally with a visit to Benaoján and the surrounding countryside.
I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain. My articles contain affiliate links that will help you reserve a hotel, bus, train or activity in the area. You don’t pay more, but by using them you do support this website. Thankyou!