Water Park

There is a water park at Vera Playa with plenty of flumes including a white knuckle Kamikaze ride. Children’s slides and pool area as well as plenty shaded picnic areas.

Hollywood theme parks

Movie buffs in particular enjoy a visit to the little village of Tabernas, about 26 kilometres from Almeria city, set between the Sierra de Alhamilla and Sierra de Filabres in a barren landscape of canyons and rocky wasteland reminiscent of the badlands of the American south west.

A few decades ago legendary stars of western movies such as Clint Eastwood, Lee van Cleef and Yul Bryner strutted their stuff here in the dry desert heat on film sets which fans will recognise from the great spaghetti westerns such as the good the bad and the ugly, A fistful of dollars and the magnificent seven.

These movie lots have been converted into theme parks. There are three to visit; Mini Hollywood, Texas Hollywood and Western Leone named after the famous director.
All three provide live shows throughout the day, with stagecoach rides, gun fights and more. There are saloons for refreshment and at mini Hollywood there is a film museum, swimming pool, children’s play areas and a zoo with over 150 species from around the world.

Naturist beaches

There are numerous beaches in Almeria province where naturism is practiced. Many of the beaches are in locations outside of the populated areas and perhaps in isolated coves which have been officially designated as naturist by local municipal councils. There is also a naturist complex with facilities such as shops, restaurants swimming pool and beach facilities available.

Playa de Cerrillos located at Roquetas de Mar is an open beach backed by agricultural land west of the popular resort.

In the Cabo de Gata there are a number of naturist beaches and others while not designated as such are extremely isolated

El Borranal is in the area of the charming fishing village of San Jose.

Playa de los Muertas, La Mesa Roldan is an impressive and isolated beach reached by a long descending path located in Carboneras at the eastern end of the park.

Playa Del Sombrerico o Mecenas is close to the popular tourist resort of Mojacar playa.

El Playazo at Vera is the focus of naturism in the whole of Andalusia. It has an exceptionally long beach located between Garrucha and the fishing village of Villaricos. The beach is backed by a number of urban complexes (some still under development) providing a broad range of facilities.

Playa de la Carolina, San Juan de Terreros is located north of Villaricos

Beaches

Aqua Amarga: A blue flag beach with showers/wc and a life guard in summer
Excellent for swimming diving and general beach activities. Water sports available and a few bars.

Aguadulce Beach: Showers/wc and several life guards in summer. Several kilometres of well maintained beach where you can park on the beach. Bar/restaurant. Very popular with the locals at the weekend

Almerimar Beach near Almeria city. Several kilometres of clean empty beach that extends into a nature reserve, excellent for bird watching at the right time of year. There are several chiringuitos (seasonal bar/restaurants) on the beach.

Cabo de Gata Beach: The beach is located at the southernmost point in the park and is very popular in the height of summer.

El Algarrobico Beach: One of the numerous undeveloped beaches in the park with no facilities

Cala de Monsul Beach: Voted by Spain magazine as one the best beaches in Spain. In their words ‘An extraordinarily beautiful beach, horseshoe shaped cove eclipsed by dramatic volcanic overhangs and petrified dunes. It provides tranquillity in one of the most stunning settings in Spain’. It is reached by foot or car along an unpaved road out of San Jose.

Las Negras Beach: Isolated park beach with a shower/wc.

Los Escullos Beach: Quiet beach in the park with crystal clear waters located near San Jose.

Playa del Penon Blanco Beach: Yet another deserted beach in Cabo de Gata

San Jose Beach: Another of Spains magazines top rated beaches. They wrote ‘San Jose is a diminutive resort in the heart of Almeria’s star attraction, the Parque Natural Cabo de Gata-Nijar. It offers majestic views over the coastline and dark sand beaches acked by rugged mountains. Only recently discovered by tourists, this is a wonderful base for exploring the rest of the parquet along the cliff-top paths.Located by the small marina in the charming little village in Cabo de Gata. Showers/wc and water sports including scuba diving. An array of small restaurants and bars by the beach and in the village

Los Genoveses Beach: The third beach in the Cabo de Gata voted by Spain magazine as one of the countries best beaches. In their words ‘A clam-shaped cove with fine, white sand, dunes and turquoise waters, no wonder it’s the park’s most popular beach. It gets fairly busy in the high season but not a patch on the Costa del Sol and its perfect for families and young children. It can be reached by foot or by car along an unpaved road leading out of San Jose. There are no facilities available on the beach.



Retamar Beach: quiet undeveloped beach in the vicinity of Almeria city with no facilities

Roquetas de Mar: Long beach fronting the popular resort development. Showers.wc’s and life guards in the summer. Water sports available. There are a number of beach bars and restaurants



El Lancon Beach: located in Carboneras: Blue flag, showers/wc, and lifeguard. A sandy beach with many facilities including water sports. A number of bars and restaurants are located very nearby.

El Sombrerico Beach: Located on the outskirts of Mojacar Playa this quiet beach with clear shallow water, popular with swimmers and divers in the summer. There is an excellent beach bar/restaurant serving the daily catch.

Mojacar Playa: 15 kilometres of beach with blue flag status. Showers/wc. Water sports available along the stretch with many bars and restaurants.

Garrucha Beach: Located by the towns harbour. Unusually for an urban beach it has been awarded blue flag status. The beach has showers/wc with life guards in attendance in the summer months. There are water sports, table tennis, children’s play areas and many restaurants along the promenade. The water is particularly calm due to the harbours break water.

San Juan de los Terreros Beach: Beautiful blue flag beach around the charming San Juan development with showers/wc and water sports. There are a number of bars and restaurants in the locality.

Playa de Puerto Rey Beach: Superb long and deep sandy beach stretching west to Vera with showers and water sports. There are a number of Chirinquitas on the beach with a number of bars and restaurants at intervals along the beach front.

Vera Playa Beach: Nearly 7 kilometres of blue flag clean sandy beaches. There are several developments (including nudist) on the playa but the depth of the beach ensures there is no crowding. Showers/wc, lifeguards and water sport facilities

The Almeria region

History

Almeria is the easternmost province of Andalusia in Southern Spain located on the Mediterranean coastline. Almeria is also the name of the capital.

The name Almeria stems from al-Meraya (Arabic, “the watchtower) because of the magnificent Moorish castle, Alcazaba in Almeria city.

Among the Muslim fortresses of Andalusia, only the Alhambra in Granada is larger.
The city was founded by Abd ar-Rahman 11 of Cordoba in 955 as a principal harbour in his extensive domain, to strengthen his Mediterranean defences against the Fatimid caliphate in Tunisia. In this period the port city of Almeria reached its historical peak, continuing, after the fragmentation of the caliphate of Cordoba, under powerful local Muslim taifa emirs like Jairan, the first independent Emir of Almeria and Cartegena and Almotacin the poet emir, both fearless warriors but also patrons of the arts.

A silk industry, based on the planting of Mulberry trees in the hot dry landscape supported Almeria in the 11th century and made its strategic harbour an even more valuable prize. Contested by the emirs of Granada and Valencia, Almeria suffered many sieges, and one especially fierce when Christians, called to the 2nd crusade by Pope Eugene 111, were also called to fall upon the Muslim infidel on a more familiar coast. On that occasion Alfonzo V11, at the head of a mixed force of Catalans, Genoese, Pisans and Franks led a crusade against the rich city, and Almeria fell to occupation in October 1147.

In a decade it had fallen under the control of the puritanical Almoravid emirs, and though its glorious culture was diminished it was not until the late 15th century it fell permanently into Christian hands when it was surrendered to the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella in December 1489.

The 16th century was for Almeria a century of natural and human catastrophes. There were at least four earthquakes, of which one in 1522 was especially violent, devastating the city.

The people who had remained faithful to the Muslim faith were expelled from Almeria after the war of Los Alpujarras in 1568 and scattered across Spain.
Incursions and attacks by Berber pirates became frequent in that century and continued unabated until the early 18th century.

At that time huge iron mines were discovered and French and British companies came to settle in the area bringing new wealth and prosperity raising the regions relative importance within Spain overall.


Economy
In the 2nd half of the 20th century Almeria witnesses spectacular economic growth driven by a burgeoning tourism industry but more importantly intensive agricultural industry (as evidenced by the greenhouse development in the Almeria bay area around the airport) primarily produced for many of the major northern European markets.
The economy had a further uplift when Almeria hosted the Mediterranean games in 2005 and the investment in enhancing the regions infrastructure

Tourism

People and culture
As in other parts of Spain there is a strong populist desire to achieve the status of an “autonomous region” in spite of great efforts of the Andalusian regional government to dissuade voters pressing for this course of action.

Geography

Almeria in the far sun baked south-eastern corner of Andalusia is the driest region in Europe with the highest hours of sunshine and the lowest rainfall with an annual average temperature of 19 degrees. It’s no surprise therefore that much of the province is comprised of semi-arid desert like landscape supporting a sparse population

Walking

The countryside and coastal regions of Almeria are breathtaking and one of the best ways to appreciate the diversity of the natural scenery is on foot.
However unlike other parts of Europe it is sometimes hard to determine where it is safe just to park your car and trek off into the rustic unknown. There are few designated footpaths, aside from within the national and natural parks and it can be disquieting to find yourself suddenly surrounded by a field of bulls or in an area designated for hunting.

To avoid this use the information usually provided by tourist and information offices.

GR7
This is the designation of the footpath through Andalucia which forms part of the European route No. 4. The route is made up of itineraries, which are designed to avoid crossing or using tarmac roads or any roads used by traffic, wherever possible. It starts in the furthest southwest tip of Spain and crosses across the provinces covering approximately 1,250 kilometres of signposted footpaths some of which are in Almeria and Granada.

Vias Verdes
Spains vias verdes are one of Andalucias lesser known rural attractions and a great way to discover the countryside off the often well-beaten track.

In the 1960’s The Spanish government closed down much of the regional rail network. Since the early 1990’s they have been transforming these former railway lines into over 60 walkways nationwide (with 12 located in Andalucia) which can be used by walkers, cyclists horse riders and wheelchair users.

Places of interest

In Vera the local town there is an historic bull ring which has been rebuilt and is in excellent condition where they still hold regular bullfights. There is also a small free admission museum on the site.

Saliente Monastry in the local town of Albox

Los Millares is considered the most important European archaeological site of the copper age. It is located in the municipality of Santee Fe de Mondujar, some 17 kilometres from Almeria on a spur shaped plateau between the Andrax River and the Rambla de Huechar.

Castle & Palace Marques de los Velez is located in Cuevas Del Almanzora and now houses a contemporary Art Museum

Castle of Marques de los Velez (Velez Blanco). This is the most important monument in Velez Blanco. Built in 1506 and 1515. The castle once housed a Renaissance palace, which was destroyed in 1903.. Its contents are now found in the Museum of decorative arts Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of New York.

Alcazaba de Almeria is set high on a ridge lying parallel to the coast overlooking the capital of Almeria looking out towards the sea.

Its 1430 metres of fortified walls enclose an area of 4 hectares (about 18 acres). The site was once occupied by the Carthaginians but the present fortification dates from 955AD, when Almeria was the principal Moorish port on the peninsular.
It fell briefly to the crusaders 1147 to 1157), only to be reconquered by the Moors, who were again successful in 1307 when they withstood the siege of James 111 of Spain.

The fortress comprises of 3 areas of development. The earliest site has become a pleasant formal garden, which was constructed over the original medieval buildings. From the extreme Eastern end of the walls, yet another wall (built), reaching up to St. Christopher’s Hill, gave protection to the old city. A much later addition, about 1763, is the bell tower of St. Mary the Great, used to warn inhabitants of pirate attacks.

The second sector encloses later medieval buildings; the living quarters, a mosque, baths and aljibes (water storage units). These and a hermitage built on the order of Catholic kings, as well as a reconstructed Moorish house can be seen today.
The third sector, whose thick ashlar walls and solid circular towers denote its defensive military purpose, is at the most westerly part of the Alcazaba. This fortress was built at the end of the 15th century by Ferdinand and Isabella, and organised around a parade ground, its towers providing an excellent lookout over the harbour.

A good free guide to the Alcazaba, giving much more information and a clear ground plan, can be obtained at the gate. The entrance is free to E.U. passport holders.
This wonderful historical monument is open throughout the year. Except on Mondays and Christmas and New Years day.

Suggested walks - Sierra Nevada National Park

The Sierra Nevada is a dramatic, rugged and extensive mountain range, the highest in Europe after the Alps and the most significant section of the Cordillera Penibetica. On a clear day its higherst peaks can be seen from as far away as Africa. The protected area covers 86,208 hectares of torrential rivers, sheer sided gorges, stony scree slopes, glacial lakes between snowy summits and in the foothills of the Alpajarras, cultivated terraces of almond trees and vegetables

Designated a national park in 1998, it is one of only 2 in Andalucia, the other being the Donana National Park. It also retains it’s status of natural park, which it has been since 1989, and this covers a marginally smaller area, of 85,777 hectares. It was declared a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in 1986, in recogniotion of it’s exceptionally diverse plant, bird and animal species.

There are many excellent signposted and way marked senderos (walks). Maps and walking guides are available in the Sierra’s tourist offices and visitors centres.

The long distance footpath which traverses Spain, crosses the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, linking the villages of the Alpujarras east to west.

The Via Verde of the Sierra Nevada is a former railway line that has been converted into a 6 kilometre walk starting 15 kilometres south of Granada at Guejar-Sierra.

Sendero Siete Lagunas is an 8 kilometre challenging walk to one of the Sierra’s most spectacular spots, a glacial valley at over 3000 metres sandwiched between the peaks of Mulhacen and Alcazeba, with seven mountain lakes. The walk starts in in Trevelez. In summer you can continue this walk on to the Mulhacen peak. You will need to camp overnight if you extend the walk.

Sendero Nacimiento del Rio Andarax is a fairly easy walk of 61/2 kilometres. It starts from the Nacimiento picnic area a few kilometres outside Laujar de Andarax in Almeria province and leads to the source of the Andarax river where there is another picnic area, Monterrey, with a mountain refuge.
First the path zig zags through a dense pine forest by the side of the river. Some 4 kilometres later there is a crossroads, take the left hand fork and a bit further on there are some superb views down the valley.. Carry on taking the left hand track wherever there is a fork in the track

Suggested walks - Sierra Maria los Velez Natural Park

Designated a natural park in 1987, the Sierra Maria los Velez occupies the eastern end of the Cirdillera Subbetica in the north of Almeria province. It covers 22,670 hectares, a landsape of impressive contrasts, with it’s arid moon like plains, overlooked by the Sierr’s rocky summits, which are white with snow in the winter, and the dry barren south facing slopes compared to it’s densely wooded north facing ones.. Its climate too is characterised by great extremes with temperatures plunging as low as -18 degrees C in winter and rising to 39 degrees C in summer. The park’s altitude ranges from 800m to the highest peak of Maria, a barren limestone outcrop of 2,045m.

Unusually for the otherwise arid and barren mountain ranges in Almeria, the Sierra is clothed in extensive pine forests and Mediterranean woodland, some of the best preserved in the province. It supports a varied flora with nearly half of all the plant species in Almeria province found here, including some unique to the Sierra.
In the park there are five well marked trails. Details are available at the visitor’s centres.

Sendero Pinar de la Alfahaura is an easy 9 kilometre walk through a vast pine forest and former hunting estate of the Marquises of Velez Blanco, between Maria and Orce. It start on the A317 west of aria at a ruined house, La Aduana, which was used by the Marquis of Velez’s gamekeepers. Look out for the information board at this point that marks the beginning of the walk.

The dirt track heads south, first through pine forest and then holm oak. It climbs up to the viewpoint mirador del Puntal del Morral, from where on clear days you can see the Sierra de Castril and Sierra de Segura. Look out for booted eagles, goshawks and other birds of prey.

The path then leads to the Agrio river and afterwards descends to a crossroads, where you can either continue straight on to reach the A317, turn right to return to La Aduana wher the path began or left to the Los Alamicos picnic area. The trail ends at the hamlet of La Alfahuara, whose name means fountain in Arabic.

Sendero La Umbria de Maimon is a 12 kilometer linear walk alonmg a forestry track from Velez Blanco to Maria on the Sierra de Maria’s north facing slope (umbria means shady). A contrasting walk is the signposted route across the Sierra’s south facing slope. The walk starts just south of Velez Blanco on the A317; look out for the signpost marking the beginning of the route. About 1 Klometre into the walk is a viewpoint, the mirador Collado de las Arenas, with superb panoramic views of Velez Blanco’s castle and walls. Five kilometres later is the Mirador Puerto del Peral, from where you can see the Sierra Nevada on a clear day. At this point you can continue along the endero La Solana La Maimon, or continue north to Maria.

Suggested walks - Desierto de Tabernas Natural area

Desierto de Tabernas Natural area
Sandwiched between the mountains of the Sierra Nevada, Gador, Filabres and Alhamilla is one of the most dramatic landscapes in Spain, the desolate Desierto de tabernas.. The only semi-desert in Europe. There is a surreal lunar quality about its weirdly eroded ravines, dry river beds and barren slopes apparently devoid of vegetation, bleached by the sun and occasionally bleached by ochre hues. With its poor soils, low rainfall and temperatures that range from -5% to 48% the landscape has been little changed by human activity for centuries. Not surprisingly film makers have been long attracted to its landscape for many years.
The desert is one of the most geologically interesting landscapes in Europe, since it clearly shows the process of natural desertification and erosion. It features include sheer sided gullies, carved out by the infrequent but torrential rains that only falls a few times a year. Another feature is piping, where water permeates through the top of a slope and emerges further down through a hole, the water creating an underground pipe in the process.
Sendero Rambla de Tabernas is an easy linear walk of 8kilometres (16 km round trip) along the sandy bank of a seasonal river. It is best followed outside of times when heavy rain is due. Spring is the best time to do the walk when the river bank is clothed in seasonal flowers and even then ensure to take pleanty of water and sun protection.
It begins on the left hand side of the N340 opposite Tabernas as you come from Almeria city. The route heads southwest along the river bed, which runs more or less parallel to the road.
You can see the comparatively lush vegetation in the river bed, of rushes, reeds, tamarisk and oleanders, compared with the cactuses and other desert plants on the rocky hillsides. Other ramblas join this one; ambla de la Sierra also from Tabernas,, is on the right and Rambla de Benavides and Buho aare to the left. Look out for the Texas Hollywood Wild Weswt theme park, enclosed by a wooden fence and lookout towers.
About 7 kilometres into the walk, you’ll see the Rambla de Verdecho on the right. A detour from here ventures further into the desert. The last stretch of the Rambla de Tabernas widens, until it reaches the end point, the Puente de los Callejones, which is a bridge for the N340.

Suggested walks - Sierra de Alhamilla Natural Area

Only 15 kilometres northeast of Almeria city is this largely barren and rugged 8,500 hectare mountain range, designated a protected natural area in 1989. Riven by deep gullies particularly on its southern slopes, it rises to 1,387 metres at its highest point on the Colativi peak. It is a sparsely populated area with only 50 inhabitants within its boundaries. Despite being semi-arid, the Sierra has some outstanding examples of holm oak woodland in places over 800 metres.

You can walk from the Cerro del Puntal east to the Coltativi peak along a 10 kilometre long stretch of mainly surfaced road. This route has magnificent views over the Tabernas desert and Cabo de Gata.

Suggested walks - Karst en Yesos de Sorbas

Like the nearby Desierto de Tabernas, this is a dramatically eroded lunar landscape of semi-arid desert covering 2,375 hectares, designated a protected area in 1989. It is also Spain’s most important Karst landscape composed of gypsum and one of the best of its kind in the world.
Although a desert region, the area has some surprisingly lush corners, like stretches of the aguas river that cuts through the desert creating sheer sided ravines. Its especially verdant around Los Molinos del Rio Aguas, where natural springs have created a mini oasis of great ecological importance in the midst of a desert. It’s worth following the walk along this river to enjoy the contrast between the dry desert with this magnificent green corridor.

The walk is an easy 2 kilometre walk that starts from the hamlet of Los Molinos. It follows the course of the river, through narrow gorges and rocky slopes sparkling with crystals of gypsum. The route passes the mills that gave the hamlet its name. You can cool off in one of the river pools, before returning along the same river valley.

Suggested walks - Cabo de Gata – Nijar natural Park

The park has over 20 marked footpaths details can be obtained from the visitor centre at Las Amoladeras. 2 particularly good walks are;
Sendero lighthouse-San Jose is a linear walk linking 2 of the park’s best beaches. The footpath traverses the volcanic cliffs and you can pass many secluded coves backed by steep cliffs. Past cultivated fields of prickly pears, there is the grey sandy beach of Monsul, which is backed by distinctively shaped volcanic rock formations. This unique beach setting has been used in many films, famously, Indiana Jones and the last crusade, The next beach is known as media luna (half moon). 2 kilometres before San Jose is Playa de los Genoveses one of the park’s most beautiful beaches.

Sendero Las Amoladeras is an easy circular walk of 51/2 walk that starts next to the visitor centre. It goes through arid steppe landscape; here theirs a good chance of seeing birds that are characteristic of this habitat. These include various species such as the rare Dupont’s lark, along with crested larks, the kla larks, skylarks, little bustards and stone curlews among others.

There are a number of other natural parks providing good walking trails

Bird watching

One of Spain’s most important wetland areas for breeding and overwintering birds is called Salinas de Cabo de Gata, the saltwater lagoon that runs parallel to the beach and is separated from it by a 400 metre wide sand bar.

Located between San Miguel and the Cabo de Gata headland, this lagoon is of outstanding ecological interest, particularly for its birdlife. The Salinas (saltpans) are the only ones still in operation in eastern Andalucia.

It is an obligatory stopping place for the migratory birds on route to Africa of which 142 species have been recorded. In the southern zone the fishing eagle and the Monticola nest and peregrines, kestrels and other species of eagles can be seen. Over 3000 Flamingo specimens have been counted in the summer months. Other species include avocets, stilt birds, dumlins, herons, egrets, waders, wagtails and other members of the plover family.

Adjacent to the salt pans there is the ruins of an old village from which the road climbs to the local lighthouse where from the local mirador (viewpoint) which is a good point to spot off shore seabirds such as razorbills, shags, cormorants, gannets and gulls.

Bowls

The local Indalo Bowling Club is located at Los Gallardos

Flying

There is a small aerodrome outside Garrucha where the Aero club is located offering fixed wing and micro light flights

Caving

Many people may not be aware that Andalucia have a surprising number and variety of natural caves. All that is needed is a spirit of adventure, and some invaluable equipment, to explore and discover a part of the Provinces natural beauty that few people are aware of.

Caves of Sorbas. These magnificent caves, near Sorbas are located in the protected natural area of Karst in Yesos de Sorbas. Here you have yhe unique opportunity to view the caves in their natural state, unlit and with no man made corridors.

Cueva de los Letreros near Los Velez in Almeria is a UNESCO World Heritage site with pre-historic paintings.

Another UNESCO World Heritage site is at La Cueva del Gabar near Velez Blanco in Almeria

These as many other caves in Andalucis are open to the public and are easy to explore in a leisurely fashion without the benefit of any specialist equipment. Others are only for experts and should, in any event be tackled with the help of a guide. Cavers are by definition the least visible of sportspersons, so it is vitally important , if you are going to attempt this tremendously exciting pastime, to ensure that someone knows exactly where you are planning to start and wherever possible the intended route.

Horse riding

There are a number of riding stables and ranches, offering a variety of riding experiences from desert adventures to rides along the coastal waters

Aguamarga riding adventures is located near Nijar in the Cabo de Gata

Riding lessons, trekking and horses taken on working livery in the desert area around Tabernas

Cueva del lobo riding centre is located on Mojacar playa and is a federated facility providing lessons and trail rides. They have the ARIA Instructor of the year.

Classes for all levels and treks at Cortijo El Sotilllo at San Jose in the Cabo de Gata National Park

Rancho Cabrera in Cabrera itself offer rides from 1 hour to all day. No experience necessary and children are welcome.

Cabo de Gata natural park

Covering 45,663 hectares to the east of Almeria city Cabo de Gata is Andalucia’s largest coastal protected area, a wild and isolated l;andscape with some of Europe’s most original geological features.

The eponymous mountain range is Spain’s largest volcanic rock formation with sharp peaks and crags in ochre-hues. It falls steeply to the sea crating jagged 100m high cliffs, which are riven by gullies leading to hidden coves with white sandy beaches, some of the most beautiful in Andalucia. Offshore are numerous tiny rocky islands and, underwater extensive coral reefs teeming with marine life.

High temperatures and the lowest rainfall in the Iberian peninsular has created a large semi-desert area, with characteristic shrubby vegetation and dwarf palms. But the park also houses an outstanding variety of habitats, from coastal dunes, beaches, steep cliffs, saltpans, a substantial marine zone, saltmarshes, inland arid steppe and dry riverbeds. Designated a Unesco Biosphere reserve in 1997, the park shelters an extraordinary wealth of wildlife, including many rare and endemic plants and endangered fauna.

One of Spain’s most important wetland areas for breeding and overwintering birds is called Salinas de cabo de Gata, a saltwater lagoon that runs parallel to the beach and is separated from it by a 400m wide sand bar. This lagoon is of outstanding ecological interest, particularly for its birdlife.

The pristine waters of the peninsula are ideal for underwater photography, diving, snorkelling, sailing, sea-kayaking, windsurfing and all types of fishing.

Biking and 4X4 excursions are popular in the mountain regions of the park.

The park’s visitors centre is at Los Amoladeras. It has an exhibition of the park’s volcanic geology, flora, saltpans and the sea. It can also provide information on walks and activities in the park

Much of the coastline is only accessible on foot, via some well marked footpaths and walks especially between Cabo de Gata headland and san Jose and Las Negras and aqua Amarga.

The park can be entered from the west via the village of San Miguel de Cabo de Gata. The eastern section of the park can be reached via a mainly inland road linking coastal villages north of San Jose.

Weather in Almeria

Almeria province in the south Eastern corner of Spain has the highest hours of sunshine and the lowest rainfall in the whole of Europe.

Because of the clear blue skies in the province, Europe’s most powerful telescope is located near Gergal, it is also the home of Europe’s largest solar energy plant and an EU solar energy research centre.

This is entirely understandable given the Almeria region enjoys an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine a year.




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