ISLETA DEL MORO

Cabo de Gata

Welcome to La Isleta

The tiny village of Isleta del Moro is located on the coast of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park and is home to 170 inhabitants.

It is best known for its beautiful beach and two rock formations – one jutting out into the water (Peñón del Moro) while the other is actually a small island (Isleta del Moro Arráez) right next to the Peñón. It’s possible to walk around the Peñón del Moro and enjoy views to the town and the beaches.

Visit Isleta del Moro, Almeria

Restaurant on the waterfront, La Isleta del Moro – Cabo de Gata
Restaurant on the waterfront of La Isleta

La Isleta is very relaxed and doesn’t usually get too overcrowded. It’s the perfect place to unwind and enjoy some fresh fish at one of the waterfront restaurants. If you are passing by, it’s worth it to take the short detour off the main road and check the place out, as it’s considered one of the top things to do in Almeria.

It may be difficult to imagine, but at one point in history, the area was frequently attacked by pirates and Moors. In fact, the village’s name comes from the small island known as Isleta del Moro Arráez – Isleta of the Moor Arráez. A berber warrior named Mohamed Arráez landed on the rock and apparently stayed since today the Arráez family name is common in Isleta.

If you are into diving there are two dive centers in the village: Buceo La Isleta & Club de Buceo Lijo Sub.

Date palms next to Isleta del Moro – Cabo de Gata, Spain
Date palms next to the village of Isleta del Moro

MIRADOR DE LA ISLETA DEL MORO

The mirador is another great lookout point where you can enjoy views of the village to the left as well as the two rock formations that extend into the water.

To the right is the calm harbor where local fisherman have traditionally launched their boats and past that are the Escullos which are fossilized dunes. Even further still is the Playa del Arco which is a volcanic beach made up of black and red gravel.

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LA AMATISTA VIEWPOINT

La Amatista is a lookout point located between the towns of Isleta del Moro and Rodalquilar, about 3 km out of La Isleta. It is an old guard post of the police. It offers views of the coastline and the village of Isleta.

From here you can also see Cerro de los Frailes, the highest mountain in the Cabo de Gata park (500m). From the lookout point it is possible to walk down to Cala de los Toros (15 min walk).

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Playa del Peñón Blanco

Playa del Peñón Blanco in Isleta del Moro – Cabo de Gata, Almeria
Playa del Peñón Blanco in Isleta del Moro
  • 250m long | fine golden sand
  • Also called Playa de la Isleta
  • Receives its name from the big white rock (peñón blanco) that divides the beach in two
  • Parking right next to the beach and it’s a short walk into the village
  • Often visited by people in camper vans
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Beaches North of La Isleta

1

CALA DE LOS TOROS

  • 80m long | some sand, but mostly stones
  • Also known as Cala del Barranco Negro
  • Beautiful small cove, very unexpectedly hidden between pines and palm trees
  • Undeveloped nudist beach
  • Great for snorkeling
  • Not the most comfortable beach. The stones also make it difficult to access the water
  • Two options to get there: 1.) Walk from the village of La Isleta. It is about 2 km one way (path not clearly marked). 2.) Park at the Amatista lookout point and walk down to the beach (about 15 min walk).
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2

UNDEVELOPED BEACHES NORTH OF CALA DE LOS TOROS

  • Cala Bergantín, Cala de la Polacra and Cala Carnaje
  • Series of small undeveloped beaches with difficult access from land
  • Mostly pebbles
  • Calm waters and great marine life
3

EL PLAYAZO DE RODALQUILAR

Playazo de Rodalquilar – Cabo de Gata, Almeria
Playazo de Rodalquilar in Cabo de Gata
  • 400m long | golden sand
  • Access by car all the way to the beach
  • Gorgeous beach featuring the San Ramon Castle (18th century) and some fossilized dunes
  • Calm bay
  • Great for snorkeling & scuba diving
  • No amenities but there is one small chiringuito on the beach
  • Right before the San Ramon Castle is the charming Calilla del Playazo which is a smaller bay at the end of the main beach
Link to full guide about Playazo de Rodalquilar  FULL GUIDE TO PLAYAZO DE RODALQUILAR

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Beaches South of La Isleta

1

PLAYA DEL ARCO

  • 350m long | mix of fine golden sand and stones (changes throughout the year)
  • Also called Playa de los Escullos
  • 5 min drive south from La Isleta
  • Also possible to walk from La Isleta: follow easy 1.5 km path (one way) along the coast
  • At the south end of the beach is the largest fossilized dune in the nature park. Next to it is the neighborhood of Los Escullos including a restaurant, bar, campsite and even a nightclub
  • Castle of San Felipe is located pass the houses. Built by Carlos III in the 18th century as part of the defensive system of Almeria’s coast. Offers great views of the park’s coastline
  • Pass the castle there are a couple of small undeveloped coves
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2

PLAYA DEL EMBARCADERO

Playa del Embarcadero – Cabo de Gata, Almeria
Playa del Embarcadero, Almeria
  • 300m long | some golden sand, but mostly stones
  • Also known as Playa de Piedra Galera
  • Located past Punta del Esparto (Esparto Point)
  • “Embarcadero” means “wharf, pier.” Here ships were loaded with esparto grass and other goods in the past
  • Great diving
  • Not the most comfy beach because it’s mostly stones
  • Undeveloped, no amenities
  • Parking right next to the beach
  • Next to the highest point of the park (Cerro del Fraile, 500m high)
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3

UNDEVELOPED COVES SOUTH OF PLAYA DEL EMBARCADERO

Cala Grande – Cabo de Gata, Spain
Cala Grande – Cabo de Gata
  • Cala Cortada, Cala Chica, Cala Grande
  • Undeveloped, very quiet, surrounded by beautiful rock cliffs
  • Difficult access from land: not the easiest way down, not for everybody
  • Mostly rocks

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