Top 17 Enchanting Cave Houses and Cliffside Villages to stay at in Southern Europe for a myth-making family vacation - Goh Ling Yong
Tired of the same old family vacations? The predictable beach resorts, the crowded theme parks, the hotels that all look the same? If you're nodding along, you’re in the right place. We believe that family travel should be about more than just a break from routine; it should be about creating a shared story, a modern-day myth that your kids will tell their kids one day.
Imagine waking up not in a boxy hotel room, but in a cozy dwelling carved from ancient stone, with a view that has been inspiring poets and dreamers for centuries. Picture your family exploring labyrinthine streets that cling to dramatic cliffs, discovering secrets whispered on the Mediterranean breeze. This isn't a fantasy. This is the reality of staying in Southern Europe's enchanting cave houses and cliffside villages.
These are not just places to sleep; they are portals to another time. They offer a unique blend of history, comfort, and raw, natural beauty. From the sun-drenched islands of Greece to the hidden valleys of Spain, we’ve curated the ultimate list of 17 destinations that will transform your next family trip into a legend. Let’s begin the adventure.
1. Matera, Italy
Matera is not just a town; it's a miracle of human history. This UNESCO World Heritage site in the Basilicata region is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited settlements. The city's famous Sassi (stones) are ancient cave dwellings carved into the calcarenite rock of a dramatic ravine. For centuries, these were homes for the poor, but today they have been reborn as breathtaking boutique hotels, restaurants, and artisan shops.
For families, staying in a sasso is a history lesson come to life. The kids will feel like intrepid explorers navigating the maze-like alleys, discovering hidden courtyards, and sleeping in a room that might have been home to someone 9,000 years ago. As Goh Ling Yong often emphasizes, travel is about deep immersion, and you can't get much deeper than sleeping inside the earth itself. The experience is primal, cozy, and utterly unforgettable.
Pro Tip: Book a stay in the Sasso Caveoso district for a more authentic feel. Visit the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, a recreated cave dwelling, to show your family how people lived here just a few generations ago.
2. Oia, Santorini, Greece
When you picture a Greek island paradise, you're likely picturing Oia. Famous for its soul-stirring sunsets, this village on the northern tip of Santorini is a cascade of whitewashed Cycladic houses and blue-domed churches tumbling down the caldera cliffs. Many of the most luxurious suites here are modernised yposkafa—traditional cave houses dug into the volcanic rock to keep residents cool in summer and warm in winter.
Waking up in a cave suite in Oia is pure magic. Your private terrace opens directly onto the vast, blue Aegean Sea, with the volcano shimmering in the distance. While it’s known for romance, Oia is fantastic for families with older children who can appreciate the stunning views and navigate the steep, winding paths. It’s the perfect setting to start your family’s very own Greek epic.
Pro Tip: To escape the sunset crowds, find a hotel on the eastern edge of the village or take a family catamaran cruise to watch the sunset from the water—an equally spectacular and far more peaceful experience.
3. Cappadocia, Turkey
Prepare for a landscape lifted straight from a fairytale. Cappadocia, in central Anatolia, is a geological wonderland of "fairy chimneys"—cone-shaped rock formations that have been hollowed out over millennia to create homes, churches, and even entire underground cities. The town of Göreme is the heart of it all, serving as an open-air museum of this incredible troglodyte architecture.
Staying in a Cappadocian cave hotel is a bucket-list experience for any family. These are not dark, damp caverns; they are often opulent suites with Turkish rugs, handcrafted furniture, and every modern comfort, all while preserving the natural curves of the rock. The ultimate myth-making moment? Waking before dawn to see hundreds of hot air balloons floating silently over the valley at sunrise. It’s a sight that will be seared into your family’s memory forever.
Pro Tip: Choose a hotel in Göreme or Uçhisar with a rooftop terrace for the best balloon-watching views. For an adventure, explore the underground city of Derinkuyu, which once housed up to 20,000 people.
4. Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain
Imagine a town where the sky is literally made of rock. That's Setenil de las Bodegas, one of Andalusia's most astonishing pueblos blancos (white villages). Here, entire streets and houses are built directly into and under the overhang of a massive rock gorge carved by the Rio Trejo. You can sit at a café where the roof is a giant slab of stone, a truly surreal experience.
This village offers a unique adventure for families. Instead of just seeing caves, you get to live under the cliff. The main streets, Cuevas del Sol (Caves of the Sun) and Cuevas de la Sombra (Caves of the Shade), are fascinating to explore. Renting a house built into the rock is an experience in clever, ancient architecture and a great base for exploring the other white villages of the region.
Pro Tip: Enjoy tapas at one of the many bars along Calle Cuevas del Sol. The rock provides natural air conditioning, making it a perfect spot to cool off on a hot Andalusian day.
5. Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy
Positano is the supermodel of cliffside villages. A cascade of pastel-hued houses, it seems to defy gravity as it clings to a sheer cliff face that plunges into the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea. While not strictly a "cave" destination, the verticality of the village means that many homes and hotels are built directly into the rock, offering unparalleled views and a unique sense of place.
The magic of Positano for families is in the discovery. There are no real streets, only steep stairways and winding paths. Every turn reveals a new vista, a hidden garden, or a charming boutique. Days can be spent at the chic Spiaggia Grande, taking a boat trip to the island of Capri, or simply enjoying a lemon granita while watching the world go by. It’s a place to live the dolce vita and create glamorous family memories.
Pro Tip: Pack light and wear comfortable shoes—you'll be climbing a lot of stairs! For a quieter beach experience, walk over to Fornillo Beach, just a 10-minute stroll from the main pier.
6. Guadix, Spain
Step into Europe’s largest cave-dwelling community in Guadix, a town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The Barrio de las Cuevas is home to over 2,000 underground homes, easily identified by their whitewashed facades and conical chimneys poking out of the grassy hillsides. This is not a tourist recreation; it's a living, breathing community where people have harnessed the insulating properties of the earth for centuries.
Staying in a cueva in Guadix is a fascinating cultural experience. These homes maintain a constant temperature of around 20°C (68°F) year-round, making them a cool refuge from the summer heat. Your kids will love the novelty of living like modern-day hobbits. It’s an affordable and authentic alternative to the more tourist-heavy destinations.
Pro Tip: Visit the Cueva Museo (Cave Museum) to learn about the history of the dwellings, and climb to the Mirador Padre Poveda for a panoramic view of the entire cave district against the backdrop of the snow-capped mountains.
7. Rocamadour, France
Suspended between heaven and earth, Rocamadour is a breathtaking sight. This sacred village in the Dordogne Valley is built in tiers up the side of a cliff, culminating in a château at the very top. For over a thousand years, it has been a major Christian pilgrimage site, and its dramatic setting gives it an aura of profound mystique and history.
The village is a vertical adventure for families. You can ascend the Grand Escalier (Great Stairway), which pilgrims once climbed on their knees, to visit the Sanctuary and the Chapel of Notre Dame with its famous Black Madonna statue. The surrounding area is also rich with attractions, including the Forêt des Singes (a free-roaming monkey park) and the prehistoric cave paintings at Pech Merle.
Pro Tip: Rocamadour is best experienced in the early morning or late evening when the day-trippers have left. Staying overnight allows you to see the village beautifully illuminated against the night sky.
8. Cinque Terre, Italy
The five villages of Cinque Terre are a postcard-perfect vision of the Italian Riviera. Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are a string of jewels—tiny, colorful fishing villages clinging to rugged cliffs above the turquoise Ligurian Sea. Connected by scenic hiking trails, a train line, and ferries, exploring them is an adventure in itself.
Each village has its own charm, from the sandy beach of Monterosso to the romantic harbour of Vernazza. While the entire area can get crowded, staying in one of the villages allows you to experience its quieter moments. Imagine waking up to the sound of fishing boats heading out to sea and having the winding alleyways almost to yourself. It's an ideal trip for active families who love hiking, swimming, and pesto.
Pro Tip: Buy the Cinque Terre Treno MS Card, which gives you unlimited train travel between the villages and access to the famous Blue Trail (Sentiero Azzurro) hiking paths.
9. Klima, Milos, Greece
For a truly unique and colorful take on cliffside living, head to the fishing village of Klima on the island of Milos. Here you’ll find syrmata—two-story houses painted in vibrant primary colors, built right at the water's edge. The ground floor was traditionally used as a garage for the fishing boat, while the family lived upstairs.
Many of these syrmata are now available as holiday rentals, offering one of the most authentic and memorable stays in the Greek islands. Your family can live right on the water, watching the sunset from your balcony and falling asleep to the gentle lapping of waves. It’s a simple, beautiful, and utterly charming experience far from the crowds of the more famous islands.
Pro Tip: Rent a small boat to explore the stunning coastline of Milos, including the incredible sea caves of Kleftiko, which were once pirate hideouts.
10. Polignano a Mare, Italy
Perched on a 20-meter-high limestone cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea, Polignano a Mare in Puglia is the definition of dramatic. The town's historic center is a tangle of white-washed streets that suddenly open up to balconies with jaw-dropping sea views. Its most famous feature is Lama Monachile, a pebble beach nestled between two towering cliffs.
The town itself is a joy to explore, but the real myth-making experience lies beneath it. You can take a boat tour to explore the many sea caves that dot the coastline or even dine inside one. The world-famous Grotta Palazzese restaurant is set inside a natural cave, offering a dining experience your family will never forget.
Pro Tip: Visit in the late afternoon, enjoy an aperitivo with a view, and then wander the old town as it comes alive at night. The view of the illuminated town from across the cove at Pietra Piatta is magical.
11. Imerovigli, Santorini, Greece
Known as the "Balcony to the Aegean," Imerovigli is perched on the highest point of the caldera cliffs, offering some of the most spectacular, unobstructed views on Santorini. It’s quieter and less crowded than its famous neighbor, Oia, making it a perfect choice for families seeking tranquility without sacrificing the iconic Santorini experience.
Like Oia, Imerovigli is home to many stunning cave suites and villas, each with a private plunge pool or hot tub overlooking the volcano. It's a fantastic base for hiking. The scenic trail to Oia starts here, and a walk in the other direction takes you to Skaros Rock, the remains of a Venetian fortress that offers a thrilling climb and panoramic views.
Pro Tip: Pack a family picnic and hike out to Skaros Rock for sunset. You’ll get all the beauty of an Oia sunset with a fraction of the crowds and a good dose of adventure.
12. Uçhisar, Cappadocia, Turkey
While Göreme is the bustling heart of Cappadocia, Uçhisar is its regal crown. This village is dominated by a 60-meter-high rock citadel, the highest point in the region, which is riddled with tunnels and rooms. The views from the top are simply breathtaking, stretching across the surreal valleys to the distant Mount Erciyes.
Uçhisar is known for its more upscale and boutique cave hotels, many of which are meticulously restored historic dwellings. For families looking for a touch of luxury combined with authentic history, Uçhisar is an excellent choice. It offers a more serene atmosphere than Göreme while still being just a short drive from all the main attractions.
Pro Tip: Explore Pigeon Valley, which runs between Uçhisar and Göreme. It's a beautiful, relatively easy hike, famous for the thousands of pigeon houses carved into the rock faces.
13. Ronda, Spain
Ronda is a town that will leave your family speechless. Set in the heart of Andalusia, it is dramatically split in two by the 100-meter-deep El Tajo gorge. Connecting the old and new parts of the town is the Puente Nuevo, an astonishing 18th-century bridge that is an engineering marvel. Houses are built right up to the cliff's edge, offering terrifyingly beautiful views.
While you don't sleep in caves here, the feeling of living on the edge of the world is palpable. You can walk the paths down into the gorge for a different perspective, visit the historic bullring (one of Spain's oldest), and get lost in the Moorish old town, La Ciudad. It's a place of high drama, perfect for sparking the imagination.
Pro Tip: For the best photos of the Puente Nuevo, follow the path from the Plaza de María Auxiliadora down towards the Mirador de los Molinos.
14. Azenhas do Mar, Portugal
Azenhas do Mar, just north of Lisbon near Sintra, is a fairytale coastal village. A cluster of white-washed houses with red-tiled roofs tumbles down a cliff face to a small sandy beach and a natural rock pool that fills with seawater at high tide. It's one of Portugal's most picturesque and photographed spots.
This is a place for a quieter family retreat. The main attractions are the stunning scenery, the powerful Atlantic waves, and the incredible seafood. Renting a house on the cliff means you’ll wake up to the sound of the ocean and enjoy breathtaking sunsets every evening. It's a perfect base for exploring the magical palaces of Sintra and the wild coastline of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.
Pro Tip: There is a fantastic restaurant perched on the cliff just above the rock pool. Book a table for lunch and enjoy fresh fish while watching the waves crash below.
15. Troglodyte Villages, Loire Valley, France
The Loire Valley is famous for its magnificent châteaux, but hidden beneath the fairytale castles is another world: the troglodyte villages. The soft tuffeau limestone that was quarried to build the châteaux left behind vast networks of caves and tunnels. Over centuries, these were turned into homes, farms, chapels, and even wineries.
Villages like Rochemenier or Turquant offer a fascinating glimpse into this subterranean lifestyle. You can visit the Rochemenier Cave Village museum to see a complete underground farmstead or even stay in a modernised troglodyte guesthouse. It’s a unique and cool (literally!) experience, especially during a hot French summer, that provides a wonderful contrast to the grandeur of the castles above ground.
Pro Tip: Many of the region's best wineries, particularly in Saumur, age their sparkling wines in these limestone caves. A cellar tour and tasting is a great activity for the adults.
16. Folegandros, Greece
If you want the Santorini experience without the Santorini crowds, Folegandros is your answer. This small, rugged island in the Cyclades has one of the most spectacular main towns, or Chora, in all of Greece. Built on the edge of a 200-meter-high cliff, the Chora is a charming maze of whitewashed houses, picturesque squares, and bougainvillea-draped balconies.
The cliffside setting provides constant, breathtaking views of the Aegean. The town is entirely pedestrianised, making it safe and fun for kids to explore. A zigzagging path leads from the town up to the beautiful Church of Panagia, perched on a ridge above. The view from here at sunset is a moment of pure, mythic beauty. Folegandros offers a more authentic, laid-back Greek island experience.
Pro Tip: The island has several stunning and secluded beaches. Rent an ATV or take the local bus to Angali or Agios Nikolaos beach for a perfect day of swimming and relaxation.
17. Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy
While we've already listed Cinque Terre, the village of Manarola deserves its own special mention. For many, it is the most picturesque of the five. A tight cluster of tall, candy-colored houses clings to a dark rock promontory, creating a scene of unforgettable beauty, especially as the sun sets and the town's lights begin to twinkle.
Manarola is surrounded by vineyards, producing the region's famous sweet Sciacchetrà wine. The walk along the Via dell'Amore (Lover's Lane) to Riomaggiore (when open) is iconic. For families, the best part is the deep-water swimming off the rocks in the tiny harbour—a rite of passage for local kids and adventurous visitors alike. My own family's trip here, planned with the principles of authentic travel that I learned from writers like Goh Ling Yong, remains one of our most cherished memories.
Pro Tip: For that classic postcard photo, walk up the path towards the cemetery on the opposite promontory. The viewpoint from here, especially during the golden hour before sunset, is simply unbeatable.
Your Family's Legend Awaits
Choosing a place to stay is more than just logistics; it's the first chapter of your vacation story. By swapping a standard hotel for a house carved from rock or a village clinging to a cliff, you're choosing adventure. You're choosing to create a trip that is rich with history, wonder, and moments of pure, breathtaking beauty.
These 17 destinations are more than just pretty places. They are invitations to connect—with history, with nature, and most importantly, with each other. They are the settings where your family's next great story will unfold, a story you'll be telling for a lifetime.
So, which of these enchanting spots is calling your name? Have you stayed in a cave house or cliffside village before? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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