Route of Cabo de Gata
The Almería region – today important for its intense agriculture – already served the Moors as a privileged place to settle. Small villages, hidden between the romantic bays of the coast called "Levante", a crystal clear water, that invites for diving and quiet places in the interior – all this can be found. On the other side there is the booming tourist coast between Aguadulce, Roquetas and Adra called "Poniente".
East of Almería lies the Natural Park Cabo de Gata-Níjar with some untouched bays all along the Levante coast between Almería and the village of Mojácar. The interior can astonish you with a mix of mountains and desert. On the way to Granada, the traveller can choose between the Alpujarra route or pass the Sierra Nevada on its northern side. An excursion can be made to the north of the province and the Natural Park of Sierra de María-Los Vélez.
Itinerary
From Almería along the coastline up to Las Negras, then
inland towards Níjar and the desert of Tabernas and finally
passing Los Millares back to Almería.
Distance
approx. 200 Km / 125 miles
Almería (Miles 0; 176,700
Inhabitants)
the tranquil capital of the province with its outstanding fortified
Cathedral and the Alcazaba (fortress).
San Miguel de Cabo de Gata (Miles
9)
small fishermen village. Flamingos can be seen in the "Reserva
de las Salinas".
Lighthouse "Cabo de Gata" (Miles 17)
Viewing point on the rock reef "Arrecife de las Sirenas".
San José (Miles 35)
fishing village with a small marina. Holiday centre for families.
Nice beaches Playa de Mónsul and Playa de los Genoveses.
Los Escullos (Miles 41)
another fishing village with a tower from the 18th century. Long
beach and beautiful cliff formations.
La Isleta del Moro (Miles 43)
small village near the viewing point "Mirador de La Amatista".
Rodalquilar (Miles 45)
uninhabited village with remains of an old gold mine. Excursion
to the Playazo beach with its volcanic cliffs and gorges.
Las Negras (Miles 48)
amazing fishing village located on a black hill close to the bay
of Cala de San Pedro.
Fernán Pérez (Miles
54)
Possible excursion on a non-paved road to the fishing village
Agua Amarga and to the cliffs of Mesa de Roldán or to the
Playa de los Muertos.
Níjar (Miles 63; 20,800 Inhabitants)
situated in a wide flatland where agaves grow. Famous is this
white village for its handicraft and for its Mudéjar style
church.
Lucainena de las Torres (Miles
75; 620 Inhabitants)
Village near the Sierra de Alhamilla. From here the traveller
continues his itinerary on the way to the N-340
Excursion: pass "Los Llanos" and continue the road until
Sorbas. There can be explored an extended system of caves named
"Karst en Yeso" (only guided tours possible)
Tabernas (Miles 90; 3,100 Inhabitants)
Moorish Alcazaba (11th century). In the unique Tabernas desert
can be visited the Wild West Film Set of Mini-Hollywood can be
visited..
Los Millares (Miles 104)
Europe’s most important archaeological finds in an ancient
settlement from the cupper age (approx 2,700-1,800 BC). Remains
of a necropolis.
Almería (Miles 120)
Andalucia routes