The Borgio Verezzi Caves-also called the Valdemino Caves-are located in the town of the same name in Borgio Verezzi, in the province of Savona.
Discovered in 1933 by three young boys from Borgio who, following the water of the stream, arrived at the first hall by lowering themselves down a ten-meter-high shaft, the Caves were generated by the mechanical and chemical action of rainwater on the limestone rock over thousands of years.
The result is a very diverse environment characterized by stalagmites and stalactites of different shapes and colors, and crystalline lakes of such bright colors that they have led the Borgio Caves to the nomination of “Italy’s most colorful tourist cave.”
The Borgio Verezzi Caves, in fact, are located at a shallow depth from the ground therefore they maintain the richness of the subsoil that gives the rocks such colors.
No human remains have been found in the Caves but only bone remains of animals-among others elephant, bear, mammoth-dated between 500,000 and 750,000 years ago and preserved today in the Archaeological Museum of Finale Ligure.
Below is all the information for visiting the Borgio Verezzi Caves, even with children in tow.
Route
The Borgio Verezzi Caves tourist trail is about 800m. long (400m on the outward journey and the same amount on the return). The path winds among colorful concretions and has 5 stop points where the guide stops and explains the various peculiarities.
You can see concretions of all shapes – as thin as spaghetti, as imposing as columns, eccentric stalactites that defy gravity – and colors – white, yellow, red in a thousand different shades, and chocolate-colored – due to the presence of a variety of minerals.
The visit lasts about an hour and is very exciting; the friendly and very knowledgeable guide often posed riddles to the children present, keeping the attention of even the youngest children alive.
One of the moments that the children – but also the adults – enjoyed the most was the encounter with one of the many bats that inhabit the caves.
Finally, we experienced the thrill of being in the dark inside the caves as the guide, before ascending to the surface, turned off all the lights for a few seconds.
To know – During the summer months or after a prolonged dry spell, the 3 spectacular cave lakes dry up so before planning a visit, you can email or give a call to find out what the situation is like at that given time.
Caves of Borgio Verezzi with children
The path inside the caves is also suitable for young children walking (indicatively from 3 years old) as the path is quite wide and not particularly slippery except for a few points appropriately marked by the guidebook.
A few steps are present but nothing particularly difficult.
Be careful because you are not allowed to touch the concretions or eat on the way.
For those arriving with a stroller, it is important to know that it is forbidden to enter due to the presence of stairs so it is ideal to put the baby in a baby carrier or backpack. The stroller may be left in a secured room.
Caves of Borgio Verezzi: how to dress
It is a constant 16 degrees inside the caves; you may need a sweater and possibly a waterproof jacket. In some places you can feel the humidity so the advice is not to overdress otherwise you may sweat.
How long does a visit to the Borgio Verezzi Caves last
The tour lasts one hour and is guided. It is recommended to reserve seats by phone to secure admission on the preferred day and time.
Timetables for guided tours of the Borgio Verezzi Caves
Monday through Friday ➜ 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm.
Saturday and Sunday ➜ additional visit at 2:00 pm.
Closed days ➜ December 25 and January 1.
Check their facebook page for updates.
How to get there and where to park
The nearest highway exit is Finale Ligure: you must then travel 3 km to get to Borgio Verezzi and follow the signs for the Caves. Nearby there are several free parking lots and parking lots with 2h parking discs.
Address – Via Battorezza 5, 17022 Borgio Verezzi (SV).
Borgio Verezzi Caves entrance ticket: cost and where to buy it
Tickets can be purchased directly at the ticket office near the entrance to the Caves and cost 10 euros adult and 6 euros child ages 3 to 10, free under.
Leaving from Genoa we didn’t want to risk it so we gave a call before we left, reserving seats.
Remember to keep your ticket because there are discounts if you visit other caves in the irsapt circuit. We had tickets for Grotta del Vento, which we had visited on our trip to Garfagnana, and they discounted us 1 euro per person.
Around the Caves of Borgio Verezzi
If you are traveling with children, it will be impossible not to make a stop at the playground present a hundred meters from the entrance to the Caves. The little park is divided into two sectors, the lower one with games for older children, and the upper one for younger children; it is quite shady and has very nice games.
Taking advantage of the discount reserved for Borgio Verezzi Caves ticket holders, you can plan a visit to the interesting Finale Archaeological Museum, located in Finale Ligure (3 euros instead of 5).
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