12 incredible cave homes
Amazing stylish caverns
If you fancy breaking away from the property mould and living somewhere a little different, look no further than these incredible cave homes. Rustic and unique, they have all the creature comforts you'll ever need and make the perfect unusual dwelling.
The Rockhouse Retreat, Worcestershire, UK
Not just any regular cave, The Rockhouse Retreat in Worcestershire, UK was created by hand-sculpting an 800-year-old sandstone escarpment. Over 70 tonnes of rock was excavated to complete the construction which needed a lot of manpower.
The Rockhouse Retreat, Worcestershire, UK
Featured on the UK homebuilding TV show Grand Designs, this quirky dwelling was completed in 2015 and is set in three acres of unspoilt land. Blending contemporary style and comfort with natural structures, the interior features a number of extra upgrades that you wouldn't expect to find in a cave. Love this home? See more amazing Grand Designs properties to inspire you.
The Rockhouse Retreat, Worcestershire, UK
The owner Angelo Mastropietro spent £179,000 ($230k) on the renovation, but it was well worth it. The bedroom features a king size bed, and the shower and dressing room has luxurious underfloor heating for the colder months.
The Rockhouse Retreat, Worcestershire, UK
Other amenities include wi-fi, a music docking station and an outdoor kitchen terrace with a grill and fire pit, where you can dine alfresco.
The Chulo Canyon Cave House, Arizona, USA
The Chulo Canyon Cave House in Brisbee, Arizona, looks like a small cabin from the outside. But venture further inside and you'll come across a sprawling 5,800-square-foot space built into the depths of the mountainside.
The Chulo Canyon Cave House, Arizona, USA
Access to the cave is through a sunroom that's decorated with wraparound windows and plenty of foliage. The sunroom leads down to the grotto, which was created by widening out the man-made cave and removing the remaining rock.
The Chulo Canyon Cave House, Arizona, USA
The kitchen includes all the amenities you'd need including a refrigerator, stove and a dishwasher. Not the normal things you'd expect to find in a cave.
The Chulo Canyon Cave House, Arizona, USA
In addition to the main house, the property hosts a two-storey guest house, a workshop, games room and a standalone library. Heading outside, this dwelling sits near a series of natural pools that are filled with creek water for most of the year.
Laugarvatnshellar cave, Reydarbarmur, Iceland
This cave in Laugarvatnshellir, Iceland, was originally carved into a dwelling in the early 20th century. From 1910-1922, two couples lived in this cave, and two children were born inside.
Laugarvatnshellar cave, Reydarbarmur, Iceland
There are no sources that can determine who made the caves, but rumours say that they were made by Irish monks. In 1910 a young couple, Indriði Guðmundsson and Guðrún Kolbeinsdóttir, moved into the cave and lived there for a year. Later on, in 1918 another couple, Jón Þorvarðsson and Vigdís Helgadóttir joined them for four years.
Laugarvatnshellar cave, Reydarbarmur, Iceland
The cave is now a museum that’s open for the public to see how people lived in the country 100 years ago, and it’s located in unspoiled nature near the Golden circle. Love homes with an interesting past? Take a look at these homes for sale with an amazing history.
Coastal cave home, Santorini, Greece
The cliffs of Santorini are dotted with cave homes, many of which have been inhabited for hundreds of years. This incredible view is from the balcony of one such cave, in the heart of the traditional village of Oia.
Coastal cave home, Santorini, Greece
This picture perfect home has been renovated and modernised, while also keeping the style of the original properties in the area. Ceilings and walls are naturally curved and doorways and dividers have been cut in the same shape to keep the soft feel throughout.
Coastal cave home, Santorini, Greece
The bathroom is a slice of heaven, cut from the stone and offering incredible views out over the bay with a private infinity pool. Out of the window you can see the Caldera volcano and across the coast of the island.
Coastal cave home, Santorini, Greece
The cave has a studio bedroom for sleeping, which is actually level with the main street of Oia, thanks to the cave's vertical construction. Outside the bedroom there are more stunning views and a balcony to enjoy them from.
Beckham Creek Cave, Arkansas, USA
Nestled in a natural cavern, high within a bluff overlooking the valley, Beckham Creek Cave in Arkansas describes itself as being 'unlike any other place on earth'. Completely remodelled with slick contemporary furnishings, the cave-style home is set within a private 260-acre resort.
Beckham Creek Cave, Arkansas, USA
The cave hotel is in the Ozark Mountains just minutes from the Buffalo National River. There are cavernous ceilings, walls of rock and a natural waterfall in the centre of the main room.
Beckham Creek Cave, Arkansas, USA
Each of the four bedrooms is unique, offering queen-sized beds, exposed cavern walls, and lavish bathrooms. Surrounding rock walls and overhead rain showers offer a waterfall-like experience.
Beckham Creek Cave, Arkansas, USA
The open-plan design has used the natural rock to carve out high ceilings, giving a huge sense of space. In the communal areas, you can dine, watch the big screen TV or just hang out at the wooden bar.
Rustic cave home, Baza-Granada, Spain
This incredible cave on the outskirts of Baza-Granada has been renovated to modern standards. Split across two caves, creating a separate bedroom/studio and living space, the property has two bathrooms, three bedrooms and beautiful terrace views.
Rustic cave home, Baza-Granada, Spain
The thick cave walls keep the cave cool in the hot summers and warm in the winter. A large terrace acts as a sun trap in the summer and a wood burner keeps inhabitants toastie during the cold winter nights.
Rustic cave home, Baza-Granada, Spain
The cave is fully set up with plumbing and electricity connections, and the kitchen is fully kitted out with a washing machine. The combination of modern upgrades and traditional, natural cave architecture make it a unique property.
Rustic cave home, Baza-Granada, Spain
The curved ceilings add a cosy atmosphere to the cave, while the white painting gives an illusion of more space and light than you generally find in these kind of dwellings.
Balearic cave home, Menorca
This stunning cave home has been converted from a natural cave, extending over 785 square feet. Looking out from the cliffs, the three terraces show off incredible views of the sea.
Balearic cave home, Menorca
This unusual cave dwelling is eccentrically decorated with artwork in all the nooks and crannies. It’s situated on the south western coast of Menorca in the Spanish Balearic Islands.
Balearic cave home, Menorca
The cave has two bedrooms, a lounge and kitchen, and many of the works of art have been built into the structure forming part of the architecture.
Balearic cave home, Menorca
This is just one of several cave constructions on the rocky isle. There are also hotels and other homes, as well as a hidden bar only accessible from the sea. Interested in a coastal dwelling? Check out these incredible homes by the sea.
Huescar cave home, Granada, Spain
This cute little cave home has beautiful views of the town of Huescar in Granada province. Painted white on the outside, the bright interior hides a cosy three-bedroom abode.
Huescar cave home, Granada, Spain
Inside, there's a living room with a fireplace for the chillier winter nights and well-lit rooms throughout. Using the natural curves and stone of the original cave, the home is the perfect hideaway.
Huescar cave home, Granada, Spain
The bedroom has sidelight windows to let in natural daylight, while still feeling like a quiet cocoon. Curved walls and ceilings keep the natural cave feel.
Huescar cave home, Granada, Spain
The kitchen is fully equipped for modern use with full running water and electricity, while the storage is made from nooks carved out of the rocky walls.
Turkish cave home, Ortahisar, Turkey
This stunning cave home is built across three terraces on a hillside in Ortahisar, just on the edge of a UNESCO heritage site. It offers stunning views of the settlement, and on a clear day, the snow-capped volcano, Mount Erciyes.
Turkish cave home, Ortahisar, Turkey
The property consists of nine rooms in total. The lower cave is a modern bathroom, while above are bedrooms, a study and a sitting room. The entire cave has been renovated with modern fittings, using local materials and workmanship where possible.
Turkish cave home, Ortahisar, Turkey
It has retained many of its traditional features, such as nooks in the wall and book shelves dug directly into the rock. The caves are naturally cool in the hot Turkish summers, and were originally used to store perishable items, and keep wine cool.
Turkish cave home, Ortahisar, Turkey
On the upper level of the house there is a sitting room, kitchen and another bathroom, as well as another study or living area. The light stone walls give the cave a surprising brightness, and natural light has been used where possible.
Cliff Haven, Montezuma Canyon, Utah, USA
This 2,100-square-foot property consists of three bedrooms, two bathrooms, three garages and 12 acres of dramatic red rock landscape. Talk about a home hidden in plain sight, the property’s nearest neighbours are just over a mile away.
Cliff Haven, Montezuma Canyon, Utah, USA
Burrowed into the cliffs of Montezuma Canyon, Cliff Haven is a cunningly hidden abode that brings Stone Age living to the present day. The property, which was constructed in 1986, was designed to imitate traditional Anasazi cliff-dwellings.
Cliff Haven, Montezuma Canyon, Utah, USA
Cliff Haven is decked out in traditional southwestern furnishings, with natural rock walls and wooden beams adding to its rustic charm. Though a vast majority of the property is sewn into the natural rock, floor-to-ceiling windows and open-plan living ensure its rooms are bright and airy.
Cliff Haven, Montezuma Canyon, Utah, USA
Although the property is completely off the grid, it boasts all the amenities you’d require for modern living, including solar panels for energy, a phone line and wifi to ensure that you don't feel too left out while living in the wilderness.
Casa Tierra, Andalusia, Spain
Designed by Spanish firm Ummo Estudio, Casa Tierra was built directly into the limestone wall on the site of a former quarry that dates back to the Roman era.
Casa Tierra, Andalusia, Spain
The interiors of the cave dwelling are more luxurious than you'd expect with a washing machine, polished concrete floors and stylish, modern furniture.
Casa Tierra, Andalusia, Spain
Rough stone has been left exposed to form the walls and ceilings inside the living room, bedroom and kitchen, which are contrasting to the smooth white walls.
Casa Tierra, Andalusia, Spain
The bathroom and kitchen open directly onto the garden and outdoor terrace, which is surrounded by a 32,000-square-foot circular garden complete with a swimming pool.
Caveland, Missouri, USA
This cave, carved into the Missouri limestone, was bought and renovated by Curt and Deborah Sleeper in 2003. The family spent four years renovating the cave to create a home and office space, all the while living in a giant dehumidified tent.
Caveland, Missouri, USA
In 2008 the City of Festus officially gave occupancy approval so the family could move in fully. The whole building project had been hugely ambitious, with everything needed for modern living – from essential concrete foundations to plumbing and electricity.
Caveland, Missouri, USA
On their website, the couple have documented the hard work, creative thinking and roadblocks that went into making their cave home a reality. Initially, they planned to “build a geodesic dome in front of the cave, treating the cave as a sheltered backyard, or a giant basement”, just as this couple did when they built their home within a dome.
Caveland, Missouri, USA
After some back and forth with the city authorities, the pair hit on the idea of building in the front of the existing wall, to open up the space while meeting the city’s approval. Still hungry for more? Take a look at these 11 wooden homes that go against the grain.
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