Cabo de Gata – Andalusia’s largest UNESCO-listed reserve – resembles the setting of a Western or a Sahara film. Yet it is home to more than 1,000 animal species! It is one of the last wild coastlines in Europe.
Lunar landscape
The backdrop to the desert scenery is the Sierra del Cabo de Gata range, whose highest peak is El Fraile volcano. The area of the reserve includes not only a strip along the sea, but also several tens of metres of water itself (in which dolphins splash). The views of the volcanic rocks being slammed against by the sea waves and the sandy beaches with their yellow sand contrasting with the blue of the sky are awe-inspiring. You won’t even find crowds of tourists in Cabo de Gata, during the peak season on the Costa del Sol. This is a place for true nature lovers. There is a reason why this place is associated with the desert – in summer the temperature exceeds 40 degrees Celsius. No wonder – this is already the climate of the nearby Sahara.
Transient residents
As in Donan Park, which we wrote about here, the reserve is inhabited by thousands of animals. Above all there are birds: flamingos, eagles, herons and cranes. Peregrine falcons, Tibetan black grouse, black grouse and the rare Mediterranean gull can also be spotted. The dry area is overgrown with plants accustomed to the harsh conditions, including fan palms, European olives and sticky pistachios.
Hot sand and the most beautiful beaches in Europe
This does not deter lovers of beautiful beaches and filmmakers. It was here that scenes for the film Pirates of the Caribbean, starring Johnny Deep as Captain Jack Sparrow, were shot. It is said that the most beautiful beach lying within the reserve is La Playa de los Muertos in Almeria. It is not far from Agua Amarga, a picturesque town with the ruins of an ancient pier. Beautiful beaches are also located next to the fishing settlement of Los Escullos. Head to Playa del Arco, Cala Higuera, San José and La Isleta del Moro.
And don’t forget the white town of San Jose, which often hosts festivals and fairs. Straight from there you can head to the beaches of Mónsul, Genoveses, Cala Chica, Cala Media Luna y Cala Carbón.
Treasures of Andalusia
Cabo de Gata is, along with Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon or the Great Barrier Reef, one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It is one of the treasures of Andalusia. Take a holiday on the Costa del Sol. Check here for offers of luxury properties for rent and for sale in Andalusia.
