Tour Cabo de Gata, Salinas and Avistadero
The Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, one of the most spectacular destinations in Spain, stands out for being the driest area in Europe and home to unique ecosystems adapted to a semi-arid climate. Its volcanic origin, between 8 and 15 million years ago, gave rise to a rugged landscape of cliffs, coves and mountains, complemented by important historical elements such as the 1863 lighthouse and vestiges of the Castle of San Francisco de Paula. Protection of this area began in 1987, making it the first maritime-terrestrial park in Andalusia, and it has been internationally recognised as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, a member of the EU Natura Network and a European Geopark.
The human history of Cabo de Gata dates back to the Neolithic period, being a strategic place for several Mediterranean civilisations that exploited its mineral and coastal resources. During the Middle Ages, the area was noted for its isolation and defensive function, and in the 18th and 19th centuries it was common to fishermen, shepherds, pirates and smugglers, which led to the construction of defensive towers. In addition, the Salinas del Cabo are evidence of the natural evolution of a lagoon, caused by the action of water and wind, until it became one of the most important wetlands in western Andalusia.
