Overview
Cabo de Gata-Níjar is Andalucia's largest coastal protected area.  It covers over 45ha.. The park is home to Spain’s largest volcanic rock formation.  There are large steep cliffs which plunge to the sea as well as coves which hide beautiful white sandy beaches. The natural park includes several tiny islands located offshore which is home to coral reefs packed with marine life.

Walking
The park has over 20 marked footpaths.  You’ll find the park's visitors' centre Los Amoladeras, located between Retamar and San Miguel de Cabo de Gata.  There you can obtain plentiful information on the walks and accommodation etc within and around the park.

The Sendero lighthouse-San José walk links the park’s best two beaches:- Monsul and Media Luna (made famous when used for the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Sendero Las Amoladeras is an easy circular 5½km walk.  This is an ideal bird watchers walk.  You may get the chance to see the rare Dupont’s lark along with other types of lark and stone curlews among others.

Sightseeing
Agua Amarga is a delightful fishing village, which also has a sandy beach.
At Los Escullos there is a ruined 18th-century castle perched on top of fossilized sand dunes and impressive cliffs.  There is also a small pebble beach. There are dramatic cliffs at Las Negras, along with a pretty beach.

Geology
The park has diverse habitats ranging from dunes, beaches and cliffs to saltpans a large marine area over over 12,000ha.  There are also salt marshes and dry river beds..

Animals/Birds
Flamingos flock here in their thousands.  As well as many other water based birds such as both grey and purple heron, storks and cranes.  During migrating times the park is used by thousands of birds as a stop over. Seabirds found here are yellow-legged gulls, razorbills, shags and the occasional puffin. Reptiles thrive here.  The Italian wall lizard is found only in this area.  There around 15 species of lizard along with grass snakes and Lataste’s viper.

Plants
The dwarf fan palm (Europe’s only native palm) is found here.  There are many native species that are unique to the park, one of which is the pink snapdragon antirrhinum charidemi. The surrounding scrubland is home to wild olive trees and oaks.