Cabo de Gata - Níjar [Facing the Mediterranean Sea]

Sheltered coves, dunes, beaches, unspoilt beaches, impressive cliffs, sierras, charming villages and sea-beds of incalculable value, such are elements that make up the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Park. Declared a Biosphere Reserve, the Park's 38,000 hectares of land and 12,000 hectares of sea are one of south-eastern Spain's most valuable protected spaces. All who visit are surprised by the apparently inhospitable area's rich ecosystems and economic resources such as the salt pans and mining activity which man has used wisely since antiquity, maintaining a careful environmental balance. The surprise is even greater for divers, able to enjoy the impressive sights of what is hidden beneath the Park's waves.

The species of flora are small and adapted to resist high temperatures and able to store scarce water. among the types of flora to be seen are bufalaga (a type of laurel), small-flowered gorse, mastic tree, wild olive, asparagus, esparto, and Persian berry, pride of place however goes to the palmetto, the only native European palm and symbol of the Natural Park.

How to get there: Almería is within easy reach of any part of Europe. Its airport, connected to the city by a motorway, links Almería with all of the Old Continent's main capital cities.

In character with its clearly maritime nature, the port of Almería welcomes ships and cruise liners from the widest possible range of countries, as well as offering a regular ferry service to the North African coastal ports of Melilla and Nador (Morocco) as well as Ghazaouet (Algeria).

The district is well communicated by land via the Autovía del Mediterráneo motorway, the N-324 Granada-Almería main road and by the N-340 road from Málaga. An extensive road network links the provincial capital to the northern towns and Níjar, as well as B roads inside the Natural Park. It is worth bearing in mind that many of the beaches in Cabo de Gata-Níjar are not accessible by car in order to preserve this important natural site and are only accessible on foot or by bicycle.