- Region: Andalucia.
- Province: Almeria.
- Declared a Natural Park: 1987.
- Park surface area: 49.000 (34,000 terrestrial and 15,000 marine).
- In 1997 it was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- In 2015 it was declared a global geosite.
Points of interest
Cabo de Gata-Níjar, located on the Iberian Peninsula, is an arid landscape shaped by volcanic rock, creating a challenging environment for both plants and wildlife. Its beaches are dotted with domed rock formations, while steep cliffs carve out secluded coves. The poor, nutrient-deficient soil supports mainly low-growing, drought-resistant vegetation.
This harsh environment historically limited the number of residents, who primarily survived through salt harvesting or fishing. As a result, the region remained largely untouched by development until the tourism boom of the 1980s and 1990s. The 300 hectares of salt pans are used by numerous species of birds resting on their migrational route as well the breeding and resident species.
Discover San José: A Tranquil Seaside Village in Cabo de Gata
Nestled within the protected landscapes of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park in Almería, San José is a charming fishing village that offers a serene escape on Spain’s southern coast. Known for its unspoiled beaches, whitewashed houses, and relaxed atmosphere, it serves as a gateway to some of the most pristine and picturesque spots in the park, including Playa de los Genoveses and Cala de Mónsul.
Despite its small size, San José boasts a variety of accommodations, from cozy guesthouses to beachfront hotels, making it an ideal base for exploring the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the region.
Flora
Dwarf fan palm is well adapted to the harsh demands. Wild olive trees, lentisc and kermes oaks are common vegetation in the scrub zones.
A pink flowered snap dragon (antirrhinum charidemi) is endemic to the park and dianthus (dianthus charidemi) can only found in a few localized area.
Some of the highly specialized plants are;
Verbascum charidemi, Teucrium charidemi, Androcymbium europaeum, Helianthemum alypoides, Linaria nigricans, Sideritis osteoxylla, Ulex canescens.
Saltwort, common reeds and glasswort grow in sandy, saline areas.
Fauna
Grey and purple heron, cranes, storks, black-winged stilts, oystercatchers and avocets can all be observed at the salinas (salt flats separated from the sea by a sand bar), as well as thousands of flamingos.
There are many migratory transitions here as ducks over winter and spring and autumn brings thousands of birds resting during migration.
Sea birds include yellow-legged gulls, razorbills, shags, terns, cory’s and balearic shearwaters.
The rare Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti) lives on the steppe where there are also little bustards.
Italian wall lizards (Podarcis sicula) are the most unusual of the 15 or so reptiles. Others include ocellated lizards (Timon lepidus / Lacerta lepida), grass snakes (Natrix natrix) and Lataste’s viper (Vipera latasti).
The marine reserve protects the Mediterranean moray (Muraena helena), garfish (Belone belone), cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), and flying gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans) as well as a multitude of crustaceans, molluscs and fish.
Guided tours and excursions in Cabo de Gata-Níjar
The Cabo de Gata-Níjar UNESCO Global Geopark
The geodiversity of Cabo de Gata-Níjar UNESCO Global Geopark is mostly associated with the volcanic range of Cabo de Gata, the most complex and extensive volcanic deposit in the Iberian Peninsula of ca. 16 to 8 million years old. The volcanic complex is classified as intermediate type (andesites and dacites).
The emerged part is comprised of just 5% of the total complex, the rest can be found below the Alboran Sea, following the Carboneras Fault. It is also worth mentioning the scattered Tortonian and Messinian reefs deposits with excellent examples of Tyrrhenian fossilized beaches, and the Quaternary alluvial and coastal plain with a Wetland of International Importance known as Las Salinas.
The exceptional weathering conditions of the territory and the sub-desert dwarf vegetation allow the visitor to enjoy the geological landscape: domes, lava flows, columnar jointing, alluvial fans, coastal cliffs, dykes and fossilized reefs constructions. Inside the UNESCO Global Geopark, 39 geological sites of cultural, scientific and didactic interest have been identified, most of them also included in the Andalusian Inventory of Geological Sites.
The official UNESCO website: https://en.unesco.org/global-geoparks/cabo-de-gata-nijar
Also in the area
- Numerous archaeological remains from Paleolithic and Neolithic times are to be found in the park.
- San Miguel de Cabo de Gata contains interesting Roman and Arab archaeological sites.
- You can visit a cave called Cueva Ambrosio and the fort on top of the hill named Cerro de las Canteras.
- Also cave paintings can be seen in the Cueva de los Letreros near Velez-Blanco.
Information/Visitors Centers
Centro de Visitantes los Amoladeras
Los Amoladeras, between Retamar and San Miguel de Cabo de Gata on the AL822 at Km 7. (Approaching on the Murcia bound carriageway of the N-344 from Almería, turn off at the El Alquián exit and continue as far as the Retamar quarter. From there take the AL-3115 towards the village of Pujaire. The entrance to the visitor centre is at Km. 7, just after the intersection with La Rambla de Las Amoladeras)
The exhibitions at the Las Amoladeras visitor centre cover the fauna, flora, geological and cultural aspects of the area. Also, the existence of human settlements in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Nature Park since the Neolithic period.
The different civilizations which subsequently colonized the area throughout history left their mark on the terrain, and this is reflected in the tour of the centre, which takes in traditional activities and crafts inherited from Arab culture, such as esparto, jarapa rugs and pottery.
Cabo de Gata-Níjar Nature Park Q&A
Cabo de Gata-Níjar Nature Park is located in the southeastern part of Spain, in the province of Almería, Andalucia. It stretches along the Mediterranean coast and includes both terrestrial and marine areas, offering a mix of volcanic landscapes, beaches, cliffs, and salt flats.
The park was officially declared a natural park in 1987 to protect its unique ecosystems. In 1997, it was recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, highlighting its global ecological importance and the need to conserve its rare habitats and biodiversity.
Cabo de Gata-Níjar Nature Park covers 49,000 hectares in total, including 34,000 hectares of land and 15,000 hectares of marine areas. Its vast size encompasses arid volcanic landscapes, coastal wetlands, and a marine reserve, making it one of the most ecologically diverse regions in Andalucia.
The park’s flora is adapted to its arid, volcanic soil and extreme climate. Dwarf fan palms, wild olive trees, lentisc, and kermes oaks dominate the scrublands. Several plant species, such as Antirrhinum charidemi and Dianthus charidemi, are endemic to the park. Highly specialized plants like Verbascum charidemi and Sideritis osteoxylla thrive in small, localized areas, demonstrating the park’s botanical uniqueness.
The salt flats, covering around 300 hectares, attract thousands of birds year-round. Grey and purple herons, cranes, storks, flamingos, black-winged stilts, oystercatchers, and avocets are common. The area also serves as a vital stopover for migratory ducks in winter and spring, and migratory birds resting during autumn.
The marine reserve protects a diverse array of species in the Mediterranean. Fish such as garfish and flying gurnards, cuttlefish, and Mediterranean moray eels inhabit the waters. Crustaceans and molluscs thrive among the rocky reefs, and the area provides a sanctuary for seabirds like yellow-legged gulls, razorbills, and shearwaters, supporting both biodiversity and ecological balance.
The geopark is notable for its volcanic formations, including domes, lava flows, columnar jointing, dykes, and coastal cliffs. Most of the volcanic complex formed 16 to 8 million years ago, making it the most extensive volcanic deposit in the Iberian Peninsula. Fossilized reefs and alluvial plains add to its geological diversity, offering visitors a visually striking and scientifically important landscape.
The park contains rich archaeological heritage, including caves and forts. Cueva Ambrosio contains prehistoric remains, and Cerro de las Canteras features an ancient hilltop fort. San Miguel de Cabo de Gata holds Roman and Arab sites, and the Cueva de los Letreros near Velez-Blanco displays remarkable Paleolithic cave paintings, showing the long history of human settlement in the region.
The Centro de Visitantes Los Amoladeras provides in-depth exhibitions on the park’s flora, fauna, geology, and cultural history. Visitors can learn about human settlement since the Neolithic, traditional crafts like esparto weaving and jarapa rugs, and the influence of Roman and Arab civilizations on the landscape. The center serves as an educational hub for understanding the park’s natural and cultural significance.
Cabo de Gata-Níjar was declared a UNESCO Global Geosite in 2015 due to its exceptional volcanic landscapes, geological diversity, and well-preserved ecosystems. The designation highlights the park’s global importance for science, conservation, and education, and recognizes its unique combination of terrestrial and marine habitats alongside cultural heritage.
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