The Cueva de Ardales is one of the most significant Paleolithic painted caves in Spain, containing over a thousand images — ochre and black paintings of horses, deer, ibex, and abstract signs created across a span of time from around 65,000 to 10,000 years ago. The cave was rediscovered in 1821 after an earthquake opened a blocked entrance, and archaeological work has been going on here, on and off, ever since.
Guided visits are tightly controlled and limited in number, so booking well in advance is essential. The paintings are fragile and the cave environment must be carefully managed. The nearby Museo Municipal de Ardales provides excellent context, with reproductions of the key panels and explanations of the dating controversies. Even if you cannot get a cave tour, the museum is worth half an hour.