Cabo de Gata is a nearby paradise. The place where a privileged few enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches and landscapes on the peninsula . A little piece of the Mediterranean Sea where the building has not taken place and it preserves all the charm and beauty.
Cabo de Gata has been a closely guarded secret. But, today, it is an open secret. Many have heard of its cliffs, virgin beaches, remote coves or fishing villages and have decided to come and enjoy the last nearby paradise.
Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park
Cabo de Gata is in the province of Almería, 30km from the capital . It has an area of 38,000 land hectares and 12,000 marine hectares. This park is the best preserved example of the Atlantic coast in all of Europe . It has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Mediterranean and the most charming towns on the entire coast.
Where to sleep in Cabo de Gata
San José, Rodalquilar, Agua Amarga, Las Negras, Carboneras and the Isleta del Moro , are the municipalities that are within the Natural Park. All of them have been saved from wild urbanism and have all the charm of the fishing villages of yesteryear: low, whitewashed houses, decorated with flowers and plants, and narrow, winding streets that open onto small squares populated by taverns and terraces.
In any of them you will find a fairly wide range of accommodation, from camping on the beach, to small and luxurious hotels with charm . For all tastes and for all budgets.
If you are looking for something more authentic, in recent years they have opened small rural lodgings in the park. All of them adapted to the environment and integrated into the park in a sustainable way. They are isolated accommodations where you will need the car. In return, they offer you all the beauty of this unique landscape, tranquility and relaxation, with all the comforts.
Beaches of Cabo de Gata
In Cabo de Gata the beaches are almost virgin . They are places to relax, enjoy the white sand, blue sea and some of the most beautiful landscapes you have ever dreamed of.
The most famous beaches are, without a doubt, Genoveses and Mónsul . Both are close to San José and either of them will leave you speechless. If you go in summer, keep in mind that when the parking lots on the beach are full, they close access by car. To make it easy, there is a bus that runs from San José to Mónsul, with a stop in Genoveses. It works all day and only costs € 1.
In addition to these two fabulous beaches, Cabo de Gata has a good handful of beautiful beaches where you can spend a perfect day.
The crystal blue water of Playa de los Muertos, near Agua Amarga, is a sure hit. There are two ways to get there: a very steep one of 100 meters from the parking lot or about 700 meters with a good unevenness, from the information point. Once down, an immense white sand beach guarded by beautiful cliffs to enjoy a day at the beach.
The Peñón Blanco beach, on the Isleta del Moro, is worth a visit. 400 meters of fine white sand and a perfect beach for swimming. Going to this beach is a sure hit.
Nor can we forget the Playa de San José, Playa de las Negras or San Miguel de Cabo de Gata . Any of these wonderful urban beaches has all the services and are ideal for enjoying the sea and nature.
We could still talk about more beaches such as Barronal, Playazo or Los Escullos, any of them will make you fall in love.
Coves of Cabo de Gata
Cabo de Gata is home to beautiful hidden coves that will give you the impression of being alone in the world. Enjoying a whole cove for yourself is possible in Cabo de Gata. Of course, you have to be willing to walk or row. There are so many magical places hidden on the coast of Cabo de Gata, that it is almost impossible to talk about all of them.
Keep in mind that most of these coves are wonderfully unspoiled and that is a large part of their charm. They are small jewels of nature that we have known how to take care of and now we have to know how to enjoy. The feeling when you arrive is fantastic, but they do not have services such as bins, restaurants, lifeguards etc. If you go, keep this in mind and try not to show that you have been there when you leave, so those who come later will enjoy the same sensations that these virgin coves have left you.
Cala de Enmedio is one of the most beautiful . When you see it, after walking a path of about 1.5 km, you will look like you are inside a postcard. Nearby is Cala del Plomo, another wonderful option.
La Cala del Cuervo is another great choice . It has a very easy access from Las Negras, so it usually has some visitors. It also has a campsite, which provides the cove with some services.
Cala de Piedra Galera, Cala Carbón, Cala Rajá or Cala San Pedro, are other options , in addition to others that do not have a name but are a true paradise.
Things to do in Cabo de Gata
If, in addition to charming beaches and towns, you want to add some adventure and sport to your trip, Cabo de Gata is the perfect place.
Cabo de Gata is a paradise for water sports , as it has a seabed with spectacular landscapes and villages of life, perfect for diving or snorkelling. The kayak is also a great idea and the ideal means of transport to navigate to one of the coves. If you want to paddle surf, windsurf or surf , here you will find your space. And if you fancy a sailing trip, you can also do it in Cabo de Gata.
For those who love hiking, Cabo de Gata hides unexpected secrets: trails of all levels, along the coast or in the mountains, to explore the park and soak up its landscapes . For the more explorers, there are the excavated caves of Sorbas , gypsum caves that give you the opportunity to feel like a true Indiana Jones.
We cannot finish the article without talking about the volcanic history of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, the reason why it has such a unique and fascinating geology. Evidence of violent volcanic history is found around the park, but especially on the peaks of extinct volcanoes. The Caldera de Majada Redonda , just north of Los Escullos, is one of the most accessible. For anyone expecting a smoky crater and pointy cone, it can be disappointing, as 15 million years of erosion have smoothed out the peak and crater. However, the wide opening where the magma broke the mountainside is a wonderful entrance to a peaceful and quiet space.
