NATURAL PARK CABO DE GATA-Níjar
A magical place in the Mediterranean
The Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Maritime-Terrestrial Park, one of the most protected natural areas in Spain. It has impressive cultural and environmental values, as well as a valuable ecological, geological, landscape, historical and anthropological heritage.
It is a volcanic park and the largest and most ecologically relevant maritime-terrestrial protected area in the entire Western Mediterranean Sea. Its 63 kilometers of coastline are home to cliffs and seabeds that are among the best quality on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Being one of the most beautiful and ecologically rich coastal strips in the Western Mediterranean and with an area of 38,000 hectares, to which a marine strip of one mile wide (12,000 hectares) must be added, the Cabo de Gata Natural Park has become one of the natural jewels for tourism in Almería, Andalusia and all of Spain. Special Protection Area for Birds [SPA (1989) Internationally Important Wetland [RAMSAR (1989) in Las Salinas del Cabo de Gata Biosphere Reserve (1997) Specially Protected Area of Importance for the Mediterranean [ZEPIM (2001) Geopark (2001).
The Cabo de Gata lighthouse and the Sirens' reef are two of the most representative icons of the province of Almería.
Flora and Fauna
The flora and fauna of the park include a diverse group of species, particularly interesting due to being endemic or having a restricted geographic distribution to nearby areas, being threatened with extinction, being essential for the normal development of ecosystems, or constituting a considerable economic resource.
TOPOGRAPHY
The ecological importance of Cabo de Gata lies in its volcanic origin, semi-arid climate, and its maritime-terrestrial character. The most relevant habitats include Mediterranean steppe, dune formations, salt flats, coastal cliffs, and seagrass meadows. The terrestrial fauna of Cabo de Gata can be classified into two distinct biotopes: grasslands and steppe areas.
The Volcanic Complex of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park formed between 15 and 16 million years ago, constituting the emerged part of an extensive submerged magmatic area that extends through the Alboran Sea region.
The geographical location and climatic characteristics determine that in the protected maritime strip, marine species coexist, usually populating on either side of the virtual boundary created by the marine currents between Cabo de Gata and North Africa, a circumstance not found at any other point on the planet.
FLORA
The catalog of plants consists of more than 1,000 terrestrial species and up to 250 marine species, including some of great ecological importance such as Posidonia oceanica.
The flora of Cabo de Gata-Níjar is characterized by a sub-arid climate with high average humidity, elevated evaporation, solar exposure, and volcanic soil and relief with low fixation.
FAUNA
Regarding fauna, the park boasts an impressive diversity of terrestrial and marine invertebrates. Among the former, there are over twenty endemics, and among the latter, the majority of described taxonomic groups are represented.
Marine fauna is a predominant factor, and we can distinguish three different biotopes:
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Sandy bottoms
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Rocky bottoms
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Seagrass meadows of Posidonia oceanica.
Birds in the Natural Park are also a characteristic factor, and we can identify three environments: grasslands or marsh areas, orchard areas, and steppe areas.
Localities of Cabo de Gata
In the Natural Park, you will find the localities of Cabo de Gata, its fascinating beaches and coves, views and landscapes of the most interesting areas of the Natural Park, environmental information, and the history of the area.
ALMADRABA DE MONTELEVA
It is a small fishing and salt-producing village around its namesake beach, although few today keep the salt production process active. It is located very close to Cabo de Gata. In the locality, there are hotels, houses, and apartments.
SAN MIGUEL DE CABO DE GATA
Belonging to the municipality of Almería, many of its inhabitants are still engaged in artisanal fishing, making it an ideal place to enjoy fresh and varied fish.
AGUA AMARGA
While maintaining some of its fishing tradition, it has become a major tourist center on the coast. The town has houses and apartments, rural accommodations, and some charming hotels.
LOS ESCULLOS
A small fishing and tourist nucleus located in the bay of its name, under the hill of El Fraile and next to Playa del Arco.
BOCA DE LOS FRAILES
Located outside the tourist development zone, it is an ideal place if you are looking for a quiet spot but close to all the localities in the park. The locality offers rural accommodation.
RODALQUILAR
A mining settlement located in a valley of unusual beauty, enclosed in a circular shape by mountains and mining hills, now inactive. Currently, the town is the administrative capital of the park. It has a hotel, restaurant, houses and apartments, rural accommodations, and a diving center.
SAN JOSÉ
The tourist center of the park par excellence, offering a wide variety of services: hotels, hostels, and hostels, houses and apartments, restaurants, diving centers. The town is located very close to the most attractive virgin beaches in the area.
LA ISLETA DEL MORO
A small fishing and tourist nucleus located near Los Escullos, next to a colossal rock and an islet from which it takes its name. The town has undergone a great transformation in recent years. In the locality, there is rural accommodation, houses, apartments, a diving center, and kayaks.
LAS NEGRAS
A beautiful corner with spectacular geology and a fishing atmosphere. Its transformation into a tourist attraction in recent years has been spectacular. It has hotels, restaurants, houses and apartments, nautical activities, a diving center, and camping.
FERNÁN PÉREZ
Not a locality with recognized tourist infrastructure, but if you are looking for a rural environment accompanied by tranquility, this is the right place. In this locality, there are some houses and apartments and a restaurant.
CARBONERAS
Carboneras is one of the localities within the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park, with around 70% of its area belonging to the park. Although the town is outside the park, facing Carboneras is the Isla de San Andrés, a protected natural monument of Andalusia, home to numerous species of fish, birds, marine bottoms, both on the surface and underwater. It also has one of the best beaches in Spain, known as "Playa de los Muertos."
LAS HORTICHUELAS
A small locality located 2 km from the coast, in a valley with a spectacular view and still retaining the traditional atmosphere of Mediterranean villages. Here, there are some holiday houses and apartments.
EL POZO DE LOS FRAILES
Consists of a small old town and a restored 14th-century well. The locality has achieved significant tourist development, and now only a small part of the town retains its old appearance, but the ensemble has a clear Moorish style. Here, we find some houses and apartments and rural accommodation.
