Cave of Winds

Cueva del Viento, near Icod de los Vinos in northern Tenerife, is the longest lava tube in the European Union and the African continent — a roughly 17-kilometer system carved across three levels by an eruption of Pico Viejo around 27,000 years ago. Its name, meaning 'Cave of Winds,' reflects the distinctive air currents that circulate through the tunnels. Biologically, the cave is a scientific landmark: 120 animal species inhabit its permanent darkness, and 15 were first described here, including highly adapted ground beetles of the genus Wolltinerfia found nowhere else on Earth. Guided tours take visitors through illuminated sections where lava formations and mineral deposits reveal the layered volcanic history of the Canary Islands. Entry is by advance reservation only; the site is not wheelchair accessible.