Cabo de Gata
Biosphere Reserve
Nature Reserve Cabo de Gata is located near Gibraltar on the Mediterranean coast of Spain in the province of Andalusia. It has a remarkable wild landscape. In 1997, it was declared as a biosphere reserve under the patronage of UNESCO. It is the place where desert and seas meet. This area offers bare deserts, volcanic rocks, beautiful beaches, vegetation and unique villages that have retained the intimacy of a traditional Spanish village.
Visitors remain astonished in front of untouchable nature and lack of clutter which makes it best for tourism.
Beaches
This region has the most beautiful sandy beaches. You can find about twenty of them in a row, hidden between the volcanic rocks. The beaches can be reached only on foot, mainly by following the goat tracks, which take some research and adventurous effort. Lounge chairs, umbrellas, bars, hotels are not available there… There is only sand or stone rubble and incredibly clear water. It is hard to say which one is the loveliest beach. At the top, it is amazing that this area is very dry and salty, but it still has interesting fauna and flora. The sparse vegetation is adapted to high temperatures and severe soil conditions.
Therefore you can find cactus, agaves, wild olive trees and palm trees. Special attractions are colonies of birds such are flamingoes.
Archaeological sites
Besides natural beauty, you can enjoy archaeological sites. This area was always interesting to conquerors since it is very close to Gibraltar and Africa. Even today you can find illegal passengers who fail to cross the Mediterranean.
On the other side there are some authentic villages such as San Jose, Nihar, Fernan Perez and Agua Amarga. All of them have typical white whitewashed houses with flat roofs.
In this way, traditionally built houses keep the heat out so air conditioners are rare, although the temperatures often exceed 40 degrees. In villages you can find some coffee shops, not too modernized, with good food and good wine. There are no discos and other products of modern tourism, but they offer you evenings with flamenco.
Tourist Attractions
Shops offer original products made from ceramics, woven rugs and woven baskets. You will find them long lasting. They say that they have been produced using the old technologies.
Tourists who seek peace, beautiful nature and possibilities of researches can find their accommodation in small, intimate hotels and hostels with different offerings and different prices.
The nearest major city is Almeria followed by Malaga, Seville … But this is already another story and another Spain.