Cueva del Tesoro: "Open Day" on 6th June
Andalusia holds natural secrets that surprise even the most experienced travellers. One of the most fascinating is hidden in the province of Málaga, specifically within the coastal municipality of Rincón de la Victoria. We are talking about the Cueva del Tesoro (Treasure Cave), also known as Cueva del Higuerón (its original name) or the Cueva del Suizo (The Swiss Man's Cave). This underground wonder will open its doors completely free of charge on Saturday, 6th June 2026.
To celebrate International Cave and Underground World Day, the Council Town of Rincón de la Victoria is organising this special heritage open day. It is the perfect opportunity to discover an exceptional geological site without spending a single penny, though it certainly requires some forward planning.
A marine temple unique in Europe
To truly appreciate one of the most remarkable aspects of this site, one must look back at its origins. The Cueva del Tesoro is by no means an ordinary cavity formed by rainwater eroding limestone rock. It is actually the only cave of marine origin that can be visited in the whole of Europe. In fact, only three caves with these specific geological characteristics are known to exist worldwide, with the other two located across the Asian and American continents.
Its galleries and chambers were sculpted deep beneath the waters of the Mediterranean Sea during the Jurassic period. The relentless pounding of the waves gradually hollowed out the limestone rock, creating underwater passages and submerged ledges. Centuries later, tectonic movements and dropping sea levels brought this magnificent structure to the surface. Walking through its illuminated pathways today is, quite literally, strolling along the ancient ocean floor.
Event Timetable and Guided Tours
The local tourist board has structured the free entry on 6th June into two main time slots to welcome visitors in a staggered, comfortable manner:
- Morning slot: from 10:00 to 13:00.
- Afternoon slot: from 16:30 to 19:00.
For those looking for a deeper insight into the site, complimentary guided tours have been scheduled. These tours will feature expert commentary from a professional guide at very specific times: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 17:00, and 18:00.
As the capacity inside the cave is strictly limited to preserve the delicate microclimate and the prehistoric rock art it shelters, the groups for these guided tours will be kept very small to offer an intimate, small-group experience.
Between history and andalusí legends
The name of the cave is no coincidence. Beyond its undeniable geological value, the site is shrouded in a legend that has captured the popular imagination for centuries. Local lore says that the cavity hides a sumptuous treasure dating back to the Almoravid era.
According to historical accounts, the andalusí Tasufin ben Ali fled the tumult in his homeland and ordered five large shipments of gold to be hidden along this stretch of the Málaga coast. During the 19th and 20th centuries, fortune hunters and adventurers—such as the Swiss explorer Antonio de la Nari—spent years excavating its galleries. Although the main chest of gold was never located, genuine coins from the period and highly valuable archaeological artefacts have been found, keeping the myth very much alive.
The tragic obsession of "El Suizo"
Amongst all the fortune hunters who arrived in Rincón de la Victoria, the figure of Antonio de la Nari, popularly known by locals as "El Suizo" (The Swiss Man), deserves a special mention in the cave's history. This enigmatic character became the most famous and obsessive treasure seeker in the area during the first half of the 19th century.
"El Suizo" dedicated nearly three decades of his life, his personal fortune, and all his energy to systematically excavating the inside of the grotto. Convinced that historical texts pointed directly to the subsoil of Rincón de la Victoria, he went as far as using gunpowder and blasting charges to clear his way through the limestone rock, creating new galleries and tunnels that form part of the tourist route today. His perseverance bordered on madness, turning the Almoravid legends into his sole purpose in life.
Regrettably, the story of Antonio de la Nari ended in tragedy. In 1847, while carrying out one of his routine and perilous underground detonations in search of the gold shipment, one of the gunpowder charges went off prematurely. "El Suizo" died instantly by the blast inside the very cavity he had loved and explored so relentlessly. His death not only shocked the local community at the time but also cemented his figure into the cave's folklore, leaving behind the famous gallery that still bears his name today: the Pozo del Suizo (The Swiss Man's Shaft).
How to Secure Your Free Ticket
Demand for this event in June is incredibly high. For safety and crowd control reasons, advance online booking is mandatory. No one will be allowed entry without showing their digital ticket.
To obtain your free passes, you must log onto the municipality's official tourism portal: turismoenrincon.es .
The process is straightforward, but slots for the guided tours usually sell out within minutes. At Travel Factory Andalucía strongly advises you to log on as early as possible to secure your preferred time and immerse yourself in a truly unique local experience.