Sarah Jane Black / 06 January 2025 / Categories: City, What to see, What to do

Cueva De Nerja Festival of Music and Dance

The caves At Nerja Malaga Spain

Since 1960 the festival of music and dance, Nerja, Malaga, Spain has been taking place in the most unlikely of places.

Underground in the caves. The festival takes place annually in the summer between early July to mid August.

Imagine yourself in a huge chamber which forms a natural amphitheater with reverberating acoustic, encased in 200 million years of history, a place full of stunning formations, stalagmites and stalactites emanating from the floor and ceiling.

The world recognised and protected caves, some of the most stunning examples in the world host the International Festival of Music and Dance. The festival has attracted many international stars, Rostropovich, Paco de Lucia and Jose Carreras and world renowned ballet companies too.

This year, the International Festival of Music and Dance will be taking place in June and July, 2025 artists and dates to be announced.

The much awaited music festival celebrates its 65th year in 2025 with a group of renowned talent. The event will take place in 3 different locations to preserve the conservation of the caves. This summer, in accordance with expert advice, two shows will take place among stalactites and stalagmites, in the intimate setting of the Cascade Chamber.

What to expect when you visit. First off you can visit the caves at any time of the year. Entrance is about €15. The museum body do offer 60 free tickets daily from 9.30am if you are in a budget,

The caves are something else. It’s like being in another world, and something you kinda have to see for yourself.

There are a lot and I mean a lot of stairs and it’s a bit rickerty is places, you kinda get Indiana Jones feels like a boulder could come hurtling down at any time.

I am not sure if I would watch ballet again in this setting. It was definitely an experience but even though I heeded advice it’s on the chilly side (even in the height of summer) I was absolutely freezing which did spoil it for me a bit.

I would without doubt recommend going to check this wonder of the world out for sure.

Not sure I’d return for the arts festival, I am so glad I have had the experience. For me I like to be above ground to watch a theatrical artistic performance.

Great to see for yourself, I was in awe. The calibre of the performers was exceptional, just not the most comfortable of settings for me.