Perched on a cape east of Almeria, Cabo de Gata is one of the driest places in Spain. In 2008, it was protected as part of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, which is the largest protected coastal area in Andalusia and the only desert region in mainland Europe.
Cabo de Gata is blessed with beautiful beaches, such as Playa Las Salinas that lies near a flamingo-filled wetland. Swim in the crystal clear waters of Playa Los Genoveses or relax on the golden sands of Playa Monsul, which served as a setting for Steven Spielberg’s film “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”.
At the southwestern tip of Cabo de Gata is the Faro de Cabo de Gata, a lighthouse built on the castle ruins of San Francisco de Paula. Photograph the protruding rock formations of Arrecife de las Sirenas before continuing to the 18th-century Torre Vigia Vela Blanca.
Getting there
Cabo de Gata is around 30 minutes’ drive from Almeria and 20 minutes from Almeria Airport, which has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe. Buses are the main means of getting to Cabo de Gata and the village is compact enough to explore on foot.