Faro de Cabo de Gata


Marking the southwest point of the promontory, this photogenic lighthouse commands stirring views of a jagged volcanic reef known as the Arrecife de las Sirenas (Reef of the Mermaids), after the monk seals that used to lounge here. From the site, a side road runs 3km up to the Torre Vigía Vela Blanca, an 18th-century watchtower boasting even more coastal vistas.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Torre Vigía Vela Blanca

1.32 MILES

From its position 3km east of the Faro de Cabo de Gata on the Cabo de Gata promontory, this grounds of this 18th-century watchtower (which is not open for…

2. Cala Carbón

1.83 MILES

A quiet, stony beach about 200m off the main dirt road southwest of San José, accessible by a footpath.

3. Cala de la Media Luna

2.08 MILES

A half-moon crescent of sand off the main beach road from San José. Accessible by a walking path, it's less frequented than many of the area's better…

4. Playa de Mónsul

2.38 MILES

The most celebrated of the playas off the San José beach road, Playa de Mónsul is a fabulous sandy wedge hemmed in by sharply eroded lava rocks and a…

5. Playa del Barronal

2.71 MILES

This nudist beach, frequented mainly by adults and couples, boasts a lovely 800m-long strip of sand. It's accessible via tracks behind the large dune at…

6. Salinas de Cabo de Gata

3.01 MILES

Southeast of San Miguel de Cabo de Gata, some of Spain's last surviving salt-extraction lagoons draw flocks of migrating flamingos and other waterbirds…

7. Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Níjar

3.08 MILES

Boasting glorious beaches, vertiginous cliffs and a semi-desert hinterland, this 340-sq-km park occupies Andalucía’s southeastern corner. It’s a wild…

8. Calas del Barronal

3.38 MILES

The Calas de Barronal consist of four beautiful little beaches (El Lance del Perro, Cala Chica, Cala Grande and Cala Principe) that run along the coast in…