Protected Environment
The Natural Park of Cabo de Gata is located on the East coast of Almeria. It was officially designated as a protected land thirty years ago, with one of the warmest climates in the Iberian Peninsula.
It is a sub-desert area with more than three thousand hours of sun every year. The entire landscape of the park is of absolute beauty, where its volcanic origin has created unique geological formations and structures, impressive cliffs, beaches and virginal coves. However, despite its semi-desert character, the spring surprises with a full display of beautiful and colourful flowers.
The Natural Park of Cabo de Gata is a place to stay and relax at any time of the year.
It is recommended to pay a visit to the Visitors and Interpretation Centre in San Jose and at ‘las Amoladeras’.
Coves
Coves are small sheltered beaches peppering along the shore of the Natural Park, offering pristine and turquoise waters. Many of them only accessible on foot to preserve their beauty.
On the way to Carboneras you can find Playa de Los Muertos, only five-minutes- drive from Agua Amarga. You need to leave your car at the top in a car park and walk for about 15’ down to the beach.
About thirty to forty-minutes-walk from Agua Amarga is Cala de Enmedio one of the most impressive and beautiful ones. Beyond it is Cala del Plomo, accesed by car. Further on is San Pedro Cove, only accessible on foot from Las Negras village. On the way to Rodalquilar lays El Playazo, of easy access by car. Beyond San Jose and on the way to Cabo de Gata lighthouse, are Genoveses, first, then El Barronal (naturist beach) and Monsul (where Spielberg filmed some of Indiana Jones shots with Sean Connery). All of them are extraordinarily beautiful and unique beaches and coves.
Sightseeing from Agua Amarga
Carboneras is ten minutes from Agua Amarga, where you can indulge in delicious fresh fish from the catch of the day. Twenty minutes away is the village of Nijar with her famous handcrafts of ceramic, pottery and ‘jarapas’ (local quilted blankets and mats). Beyond Nijar and up the road along a winding road is the village of Lucainena, worth a visit for its architecture and gastronomy.
About twenty-minutes-drive on E-15 is the village of Sorbas with ‘Karts de Yeso’ in her famous caves: Cuevas de Sorbas/ Caves with an unusual form of limestone stalactites. A place you can safely visit with your children with helmets provided on site. An activity worth to do if you are not claustrophobic and an exciting adventure for the whole family!
Around thirty- minutes-drive from the property and on the way to Carboneras is Mojacar with her popular village with beautiful views and a large beach. Beyond Mojacar, is the town of Garrucha offering some of the best fish restaurants in the area.
Heading towards Almeria, and forty-five-minutes-drive from Casa Serene is the desert of Tabernas offering the old Spaghetti Western landscapes with a replica of a Western settlement
Finally, Almeria city, the capital of the province, is only fifty-minutes-drive from the property. Almeria is a beautiful Mediterranean town with a well preserved and fascinating old town. There, you can find an ample and delicious gastronomical offer, a fascinating archaeological museum and the Andalusian Centre of Photography, a space exhibiting contemporary photography of excellent quality.
Handcrafts
Along the entire Park, there is an exciting handcraft activity with local ceramics, the famous ‘jarapas’; quilted blankets made with pieces of recycled fabrics and the use of ‘esparto’, (esparto grass) for baskets and mats. The Park is also home of artists from all around Europe: painters, sculptures, musicians where cultural diversity and the art of recycling is part of their landscape.
Sports and outdoor activities
Agua Amarga offers a wide variety of outdoor, sports and aquatic activities. For example, hiking along the shore and cliffs between Agua Amarga and the village of Las Negras along signed paths, crossing Cala de Enmedio, Cala del Plomo and Cala de San Pedro with her beautiful fortress and refreshing water spring merely is a joy. Or you can hike to Carboneras, only 9 km distance from the village, and visit the lighthouse on your way. These among many other possible walks. Most of them can be found at the tourist visitor centre at Carboneras, Rodalquilar and San Jose.
At Agua Amarga beach and surroundings, you can practice snorkelling, kayaking and scuba diving. The last is also possible at La Isleta del Moro, a village situated beyond Rodalquilar. The company ‘Buceo La Isleta’, ran by David Giner, is the one we would recommend you for safety and professional reasons. Given the area is a Natural Marine Reserve, the bottom of the sea is worth having a look at.
There is also the option of riding at ‘Hipica Agua Amarga’ only 3km from the property. There is an offer of riding on the beach or ponies for the youngest ones, for example.
Finally, you can also find organised trips by 4×4, hiring bikes with GPS, hang-gliding among many of the ample outdoor activities offered to visitors at the Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata.
Useful Links for outdoor, cultural and nature activities:
www.cabodegata-nijar.com
www.elcaboafondo.es
www.caboactivo.com
www.buceocarboneras.com
www.la-isleta-del-moro.com
www.parquenatural.com
www.andalucia.com
www.andalucia.co.uk
www.andalucia.org