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Would you like to visit a place where the Mediterranean Sea meets the desert, where monk seals were mistaken for mermaids and where nature is almost untouched? Then you must visit Cabo de Gata, the most south-eastern point of the Iberian Peninsula and one of the most spectacular natural parks in Andalusia. In this post I’m going to tell you everything you can see and do in this paradise in Almería, from its unspoilt beaches to its charming villages. Don’t miss it!
Discovering Cabo de Gata
Cabo de Gata is an ideal destination for nature, sun and sea lovers. Here you can enjoy unique landscapes, formed by extinct volcanoes, steep cliffs, salt flats full of birds and golden dunes. You can also bathe in some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. And if you like hiking or cycling, there are many routes to explore this privileged environment.
But Cabo de Gata is not only nature. It also has a rich history and culture that is reflected in its white villages and seafaring traditions. You can visit places like San José, Las Negras or Rodalquilar, where you will find typical restaurants, local crafts and charming accommodation. You can also visit some emblematic places such as the Cabo de Gata lighthouse, the Sirenas reef or the Cerro del Viento watchtower.
History
This site was known to the Phoenicians as the Promontory of Charidemus and to the Greeks as the Promontory of Aphrodite, as they built a temple dedicated to this goddess with perpetual fires. The Romans called it Promontory of Venus and continued the tradition of the fires. Later, the Arabs called it Cabo del Agate or Cabo del Agua due to the abundance of water in the area. During the Middle and Modern Ages, the cape suffered numerous pirate attacks and towers and castles were built to defend it. In the 19th century, gold, silver and lead mining began in Rodalquilar and other nearby areas. In the 20th century the Cabo de Gata-Níjar natural park was created to protect its ecological and scenic wealth.
On a curious note, we must mention the monk seals, which were mistaken for mermaids by the ancient navigators of these waters. These marine mammals lived in the mermaids’ reef, a group of volcanic rocks near the lighthouse of Cabo de Gata. The ancient navigators mistook their cries for the songs of mermaids and that is why they gave the reef that name. What happened to these friendly animals?
The Mediterranean monk seal is a very rare and critically endangered marine mammal. It used to be found throughout the North African Atlantic and the Mediterranean. In the Middle Ages, it was hunted for two reasons: its blubber and its conflict with fishermen, who considered it a threat to their interests. Its blubber was like a smokeless candle, which was very useful for the people of the time.
Beaches in Cabo de Gata
Cabo de Gata is a natural park with many unspoilt beaches and coves to enjoy the Mediterranean Sea. They are perhaps one of the most popular attractions during the summer, so we will dedicate a future blog post to its beaches.
Some of the most popular beaches that we recommend from Malagatransfer.co.uk are:
- Mónsul beach: a beach of fine sand and dunes, surrounded by volcanic rocks and with a large crescent-shaped dune.
- Beach of Los Genoveses: a wide and quiet beach, with crystal-clear waters. There is a spectacular view of the Morrón de los Genoveses.
- Lead Cove (Cala del Plomo): a small, secluded cove, ideal for snorkelling and nudism.
- Cala Rajá: a wild and rocky cove, with a natural arch that separates it from the open sea.
- Beach of La Fabriquilla: a family friendly beach, with little white houses and a fishing atmosphere.
Curiosities of the beaches
The beach of Mónsul has been the setting for several films and series, such as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Neverending Story, Bwana or Talk to Her. It is also a nudist beach and an ideal place for diving and swimming.
The beach of the Genoese owes its name to the fact that in 1147 a fleet of 200 Genoese ships landed in this bay to help Alfonso VII to conquer the city of Almería from the Almohads. For this reason, the flag of Almería is similar to the Genoese flag.
The sand of Cala Rajá is very fine and is formed by oolites. The oolites are small spheres of calcium carbonate that originate in the seabed.
The Fabriquilla beach owes its name to an old lead smelter that existed in the mid-19th century.
Nudism and naturism
Naturism is a practice that consists of living in harmony with nature and without clothes. On the beaches of Cabo de Gata, there are several options to enjoy naturism in a natural and protected environment. Some of the best known beaches for nudism in Cabo de Gata are:
- Barronal Beach: An unspoilt beach of fine sand and crystal clear waters, surrounded by dunes and cliffs. It is one of the most frequented by nudists and has a quiet, family atmosphere.
- Mónsul beach: It is a mixed beach, where nudists and textiles coexist, but with respect and tolerance.
- Media Luna Cove: A small semicircular cove with golden sand and turquoise waters, ideal for diving and snorkelling. It is a nudist cove by tradition and has a somewhat complicated access via a path.
- El Playazo of Rodalquilar: Wide and beautiful beach with an 18th century castle at one of its ends. It is another mixed beach where naturism can be practised without problems.
There are many other small, secluded coves where there will be no one around you. You can enjoy them freely with or without a swimming costume.
Activivities
If you like nature and adventure, the beaches of Cabo de Gata are an ideal destination for you. In this protected natural park you can enjoy a lot of outdoor activities, both in the sea and on land. Here are some of the most popular and fun things to do:
Diving: the seabed of Cabo de Gata is a marvel worth exploring. There are several diving centres that offer courses, baptisms and outings for all levels and tastes. You will be able to see fish, corals, caves, sunken ships and much more.
Boat trip: another option to relax and enjoy the scenery is to take a boat trip around Cabo de Gata. There are several companies that offer excursions with different itineraries and durations. You will be able to see the most famous beaches from a different perspective and swim in the sea.
Kayaking: another way to get to know the coast of Cabo de Gata is to paddle a kayak along its crystal-clear waters. There are guided or free routes that will allow you to discover hidden coves, impressive cliffs and unspoilt beaches. You can also snorkel in the most beautiful areas.
Places to visit in Cabo de Gata
Cabo de Gata is much more than beaches. In this natural park you can also find interesting places and monuments that will make you know its history, its culture and its beauty. There are so many points of interest that we cannot talk about each one of them as it would take too long. However, we are going to suggest some of the most outstanding places to visit:
Cabo de Gata Lighthouse
The lighthouse is an emblematic place in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, which stands out for its beauty and biodiversity. It was built in 1863 on the ruins of the Castillo de San Francisco de Paula, an 18th century fortress that served to defend the coast of Granada. It has an 18-metre white tower and a red lantern that emits flashes every 30 seconds that can be seen for 45 kilometres.
Next to the lighthouse there is a viewpoint called Las Sirenas. From here you can look out over the volcanic landscape and the crystal clear waters of the cape. The lighthouse is a historical and tourist site that attracts many visitors every year.
Mermaid Reef and Viewpoint
Mermaid Reefs are ancient underwater volcanic vents that were brought to the surface by the movement of tectonic plates. They are so called because it was once believed that the sounds emitted by the sea lions that inhabited the reef were the songs of mermaids. From the mermaids’ viewpoint, next to the lighthouse, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the reef and the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the most photographed and visited places in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, so we recommend you visit it.
Church-Fortress of Las Salinas
It is an early 20th century Catholic church located between the neighbourhoods of La Almadraba de Monteleva and Cabo de Gata, in the city of Almería. This fortress was built in 1907 for the workers of the salt mines that exploited the area. It has a neo-Gothic style and is situated on a platform to avoid the water and sand of the nearby beach and has a crenellated tower that gives it a fortress-like appearance. This tower was used to watch over the sea and protect it from pirate attacks.
The church is surrounded by a perimeter wall with battlements that give it a defensive aspect. Outside there is also a stone cross and a fountain with a trough for the animals. The church is located in a privileged natural environment. It is next to the salt marshes which are a protected wetland where you can observe numerous birds, such as flamingos, herons and storks.
San Felipe Castle
An 18th century fortress located at the mouth of the river Alías. It was built by order of King Felipe V to protect the fishing port of Cabo de Gata. Today you can visit it and see its cannons and walls.
Cortijo del Fraile
An old 19th century country house that became famous as the setting for the tragedy of Bodas de Sangre, written by Federico García Lorca. It was also the inspiration for the filmmaker Sergio Leone to shoot some scenes of his western films.
Rodalquilar gold mine
Abandoned mining complex where gold was extracted until the mid-20th century. You can walk around the mine and see what life and work was like in the mine. You can also visit the botanical garden next to the mine, where you can see native and exotic plants. Who knows if you might find a gold nugget on your walk? If you want to try your luck, we can take you there.
From Malaga to Cabo de Gata
Do you want to live an adventure while you get to know a paradisiacal natural environment? Then you should visit Cabo de Gata and we can take you there. The route by road is very simple, as you only have to drive towards Almeria on the A-7 until you pass the city and take the detour 460 to Retamar and Cabo de Gata. At the roundabout take the third exit onto the Carretera de Nijar a Retamar, continue straight on at the next roundabout and when you reach the third roundabout, take the second exit to Retamar and Cabo de Gata. At the following roundabouts always take the exit signposted “Cabo de Gata”. Continue along the Al-1115 road until you reach your destination.
The journey to Cabo de Gata by road takes approximately 2.5 hours. Another option is to take the A-92 from Granada, bordering the Sierra Nevada National Park. We will pass through the Tabernas Desert, something that would lengthen the route by more than half an hour, but which offers us an alternative to arrive or return and visit other places along the way.
If you go by campervan there is a recommended place to camp: https://goo.gl/maps/8fthuneDdrR8tZPk9
Choose how and when to go
We are a serious company providing Malaga airport transfers and transportation services from Malaga province. Our company offers transport to Cabo de Gata whenever you want and bring you back the day you ask us. We can also take you using the shortest route or the one you like the most. We have economic vehicles or minibuses to suit your needs.
Cabo de Gata is particularly popular with our clients during the summer months, from June to August, largely because of its stunning natural beaches and the opportunity for water activities. April is another popular month of the year to visit; the good weather invites you to go hiking and discover many of the other attractions of this beautiful Natural Park.
