Short walk around the lighthouse, Arrecife de las Sirenas viewpoint. A goodbye.

At the south-eastern tip of the peninsula is a beautiful lighthouse and lookout point, and one from which the ancient Phoenicians observed the sea. The lighthouse dates from 1863 and stands on the ruins of the castle of San Francisco de Paula. The flashes of the lighthouse are visible some 45 kilometres away, accompanied by an acoustic siren. There are several small beaches nearby.

Only a short visit to the beach.

One of my favorite beaches, especially after sunset. Fine sand and beautiful rocks. For movie fans: several movies were filmed in Monsul Bay  - e.g. Indiana Jones, The Neverending Story etc.

Swimming and walking on the beach and the surrounding area.

Another famous beach in Cabo de Gata National Park with dunes of fine sand. The beach stretches all around the bay and is surrounded by small dunes where typical vegetation grows, such as cacti or agave pita. The beach is called Genoveses because in 1147 a fleet of 200 ships from Genoa, Italy, camped in this bay for at least two months. Nearby is the Morron de los Genoveses viewpoint.

Walk to the viewpoint about 3 km.

Shared lunch at a tapas bar or restaurant.

The town of San José is considered the main centre of Cabo de Gata, as it has the largest population (about 800). San José was a village dedicated to fishing and now tourism is the main activity here.

Swimming and walking around the fortress - beautiful views and unique rock formations.

Playazo de Rodalquilar is another example of a beautiful natural beach in Cabo de Gata Park. The beach is bordered on one side by rocks and on the other by the  Castillo de San Ramón, an old defensive bastion built in the 18th century. The castle stands on a petrified dune, offering a beautiful view of the beach and the cliffs of La Molata.

Refreshments with a beautiful view of the sea in a small village, time to relax.

La Isleta del Moro is a picturesque fishing village of about 200 inhabitants. Its name comes from Isleta del Moro Arraez, probably after a Moorish commander named Mohamed Arraez. The narrow peninsula overlooking the islet offers a peaceful setting for relaxation.

3h sightseeing  kayaking with guide + including photo report and swimming. Included in the price.

In case of bad weather conditions (strong winds, waves) we will be offered another date or we will come up with another activity of the same value (sport, culture, gastronomy, etc.)

The activity does not require previous experience, suitable for complete beginners, but it is necessary to be able to paddle and have an average physical condition. 

Lunch in the village of Las Negras.

This tourist resort is especially advantageous for its location - in the middle of the coast of the national park. Years ago, Las Negras was almost exclusively inhabited by fishermen; today the town shares this activity with tourism. Up to half of the inhabitants are foreigners who have chosen this place as their second home. Las Negras gets its name from the volcanic mountain that is located just outside the village, El Cerro Negro.

Swimming at one of the most famous beaches of Cabo de Gata National Park.

Although ominously named "Beach of the Dead," it is one of Europe's most stunning natural paradoxes. Playa de los Muertos enchants visitors with its Edenic scenery of white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. The beach with its virgin sand is often rated as one of the best beaches in Spain and Europe. The name is a reminder of the ancient times when there were strong underwater currents in the area, in which many sailors found death.

Dinners in the beautiful town of Mojácar and wandering the streets in the early evening.

The beautiful village of Mojácar, with its whitewashed houses, small streets and shops, is nestled at the foot of the Sierra Cabrera mountains and overlooks the beach resort of Mojácar Playa. The site was settled 2,000 years ago by the Moors, followed by the Phoenicians, Greeks and Spaniards. To this day, the architecture remains true to its Moorish ancestry. The Indalo Man charm, the little man with an arch over his head, which is seen everywhere on jewellery, key rings, T-shirts and adorns the facades of many local businesses and houses, is recognised as a symbol of good luck and has become the emblem of the whole province of Almeria.

Walk: Ruta Molinos del Rio Aguas  - Nacimiento del Río Aguas (approx. 3 km)

The Río Aguas is the name of the Aguas River, which is the main watercourse of the Yesos de Sorbas karst , a semi-desert protected natural area under which rainwater has created a labyrinth of caves and underground caverns at different levels. The karst behaves like a sponge, absorbing rainwater and later flowing out through various springs, such as Los Molinos, in the Aguas River canyon. The Aguas River environment is a wetland in the middle of an arid and desert area.

Lunch in the village of Tabernas. Transfer to accommodation in Fort Bravo.

Includes admission to the western town of Fort Bravo, including two shows (in Spanish), carriage rides, visits to the carriage museum and horse museum, free admission to the pool all day.

Program options:

1. rest and leisure at Fort Bravo + attend two performances by appointment 

2. a walk or car ride around the area. Due to the high temperatures and lack of shade, we will probably only take a car ride and do a few short walks for photos: Tabernas - Llano del Búho - La Tortuga - Rodaje llegada and Vaes Dothrak de Khalesi - Mirador. 

Later in the afternoon, when it's not so hot, we can go on some hiking tours:

1st ascent of Cerro Alfaro 744 m above sea level  (approx 5km round trip, 478 m elevation gain)

2. circular walk to Escenarios (approx. 6km, 70m elevation gain) 

Tabernas is a village, but it is also a desert and a film location that has portrayed Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. No wonder filmmakers have taken a liking to the unmistakable landscape here. The area is protected as the Paraje Natural Desierto de Tabernas and surprisingly there is some very interesting vegetation. The largest solar power plant in Europe is installed nearby. The name comes from the word  Thabernax - or Greek legion. They used to come here to rest and refresh themselves. The site was settled in the Neolithic and has a very rich history.

Walk around the observatory at 2168 m above sea level, enjoy the views of the mountains and relax.

The Spanish-German Calar Alto Observatory, located on the plateau of the Sierra de Los Filabres, is one of the most important observatories in Europe and was founded in 1973. The local landscape, at over 2000 metres above sea level, offers unique conditions for space observation. The Sierra de Los Filabres presents a diverse, almost surreal landscape of hills and valleys, rustic villages and abandoned farmhouses. Almond and olive trees grow in the lower areas, while higher in the mountains the countryside gives way to forests, with hollies and pines thriving, creating excellent habitat for a wide variety of bird species.

Walk around the Local Las Menas circle about 6 km - visit the remains of a unique mining village.

Lunch on the terrace of Camping Las Menas.

An abandoned mining town where iron ore was extracted, it was the most important and productive in the province from the late 18th century. The town was abandoned in  1968 and has since decayed and become a "ghost town". Fortunately, a geo-mountaineering interpretation centre and a forest park with native trees and shrubs, typical of the Los Filabres mountain range, have been created here. Up to 2,800 people worked in the area and now you can see the remains of various buildings from the outside.

A walk through the village.

The village of Ohanes is located in the south of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in the Alpujarra region, which is part of the Sierra Nevada Natural Park. Ohanes is characterized, like other settlements, by  white houses with flat roofs and chimneys set in narrow stepped streets and flowers decorating the balconies. The typical crop here is the grapevine.

A walk through the artistic street art village.

The village of Almócita retains its typical Moorish architecture and stands out for the paintings on its houses. Almócita's Arab history survives in both the streets and the town's architecture, and the  Jewish quarter in Barrio Bajo is still preserved. The place is crisscrossed with small streets and picturesque squares with vines.

Walk along the riverbed about 3 km + swimming in the river. Must have sturdy water shoes or ones that can get wet, we will go through the water (depth can be up to the waist). Unpretentious but adventurous.

In the Almería area you can find really many kinds of environments, including the paradisiacal oasis of Canales de Padules. The Andarax River, which flows down the slopes of the Sierra Nevada, pristine mountain water, forms waterfalls, pools and pools in the valley that offer a pleasant place to wade. This green haven is located in the area known as the Almerian Alpujarra. The Canales de Padules is a two-kilometre-long gorge that separates the two mountain ranges of the Sierra Nevada and the Sierra de Gador.

Drive to the viewpoint of the mountains and lowlands.

Lunch in the village, sightseeing walk between the villages: Fondón - Fuente Victoria - Beneid - Fondón (approx. 6 km, 2.5 h)

The village of Fondón, in the eastern part of the Alpujarra, at the high reaches of the Andarax River, consists of three settlements, Fondón, Benecid and Fuente Victoria, and is surrounded by fertile plains and mountains. This area was also inhabited by the Moors, whose agriculture and architecture survived until the 17th century. Mining and mining were also important here, as was wine growing.

Walk from the source of the Andarax River: Sendero de la Ruta Hidroelectrica + Sendero Monterrey approx. 8km (elevation gain 479m). Depending on the weather we may choose a shorter tour.

Although the source of the Andarax River, which gave its name to the entire valley, is not normally visible, it is the start of a popular hiking route called the Ruta Hidroeletrica. The trail follows the old road that carried the water to the power plant that supplied electricity to the small towns in the area. The route passes through both forest and open mountainous countryside.

Lunch and a walk around the town of Laujar de Andarax.

Laujar de Andarax is the main centre of the Alpujarra Almeriense, which proudly carries on the local cultural and gastronomic traditions and preserves its original architecture and customs. The town has become an ideal place to participate in the so-called rural tourism. Laujar is famous for its fountains, of which there are about 16 to be found. The last king of Almeria in the 15th century, El Zagal, also resided in Laujar for some time. The local Moorish population lived here until the 16th century, when they were forced to convert to Christianity or leave. Andalusia's great artists also worked here.

In the afternoon we will arrive in Almería, check in and arrange further program or personal free time. Possibility of swimming at the nice town beach.

About 20h local tapas bars open.

Almería, the provincial capital is located on the Mediterranean coast and its sunny and welcoming climate attracts people from all over the world all year round for a seaside holiday, but also to experience the culture of tapas and Flamenco. There are several attractions and points of interest here: the excellent town beach and the monuments in the historic centre: of particular note is La Alcazaba, an Arab fortress of more than 35,000 square metres. The Cathedral, dating from the 16th century, the Santo Domingo Sanctuary and several churches. In the modern part of the city, the Rambla and the coastal promenade Paseo Marítimo are worth mentioning.

Optional - early departure before breakfast

Climb to the Antenas viewpoint (approx. 5 km, elevation 221 m) with a beautiful view of Aguadulce and the sea.

Late breakfast at the port of the popular resort of Aguadulce.

Free program in the city, lunch, possibility to visit Alcazaba Fortress, walk along Paseo Maritimo, Cable Inglés, rest. 

Car return and departure 22:00