Caves of Hercules

The Caves of Hercules form a limestone cavern system at Cape Spartel in Tangier-Tetouan, Morocco. The chamber opens toward the sea through a natural formation whose outline recalls the silhouette of the African continent.

Archaeological findings show human settlement dating back to 6000 BC during the Neolithic period. Later centuries brought stonemasons who carved limestone from the walls for construction and millstone production.

These caverns supplied stone for local Berber families who carved millstones by hand over centuries. Visitors can still see the cut marks on the walls and the natural window facing the ocean that emerged from this labor.

The site sits roughly 14 kilometers (approximately 9 miles) west of Tangier along road S701 near the cape. Electric lighting illuminates the main chamber, but slip-resistant shoes help on damp stone surfaces.

Mediterranean legends link these caverns to Hercules, who supposedly rested here during his quest for the golden apples of the Hesperides. The mythic tale fits into a series of stories that place the hero at different points along the North African coast.

Location: Tangier

Location: Tangier-Tetouan

Official opening: 1920

Made from material: limestone

GPS coordinates: 35.76028,-5.93917

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26