ニハルの天然記念物・トップ20

Beautiful sandy beach between the rock walls.

Great little beach with beautiful rock walls on both sides.

If you are not on a mountain bike, you will have to push the bike in places

The Playa de los Genoveses is generally considered the most beautiful in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park

The Cabo de Gata salt flats are a set of wetlands of natural origin but economically exploited as saltworks. They are part of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park on the southeast coast of Spain. Declared a Ramsar Site of International Importance around 1990, this wetland is home to a great diversity of plant and animal species, many of them endemic or threatened with extinction, as well as a resting area for migratory birds. The ancient lagoon, on which the current salt mines are located, is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a dune barrier 200 to 400 metres wide; there is also a rugged terrain that separates it from the surrounding mountains. It was formed by the flooding of a plain that was below sea level and allowed the infiltration of salt water by simple gravity and wind action. The water came from the boulevards on the western slope of the Cabo de Gata mountains, mainly from Higueras Boulevard and Sabinar Boulevard.

Playa de Mònsul is a little smaller and harder to reach for drivers than Playa de los Genoveses, as there is no real parking lot at Mónsul. In the season, access to both beaches is limited and regulated by local authorities. In the off-season, when the weather is good, both beaches get quite busy, especially at weekends, as the locals understandably want to finally get something out of their beaches.

Numerous films and television works have been shot on the dunes of this beach, such as The Rat Patrol or The Wind and the Lion, and without going too far, what would have become of Peter O'Toole, who played Lawrence of Arabia, without the Genoveses beach, as well as programmes such as El Campamento.

The bay is considered one of the most beautiful in the natural park. Swimming is a pleasure on the gently sloping beach. The water is crystal-clear and home to a rich flora and fauna, making it an excellent area for diving. The waves are generally low. To protect the beach, car access is limited to a few vehicles.