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Hi, Carole. Great idea to explore a bit further than the city!! Whilst a tour is the 'safe' option, I personally would pre-arrange the hire of a car at the port of Almeria and travel from Almeria City to Cabo de Gata Nijar park. This is real Spain, as it was before the huge hotel boom of the 60s and 70s, and it is now protected so will stay a calm and beautiful place, thank goodness. It is very near the desert so it's not a lush place, but this year it is far more green than usual due to unprecedented rain in the winter. I don't know when you're travelling, but it might still be green when you go. But a bit of honesty here: there are a lot of covered growing tunnels in the region, as fresh produce is the life's blood of this region........please don't be put off by it......its just the way they make their living here. Not every valley has them, anyway, but just be prepared. Driving yourself is by far the best way to see the park as you can stop and start when and wherever you like, and be more spontaneous. It will take about 45 minutes by car to the edges of the park, and you will easily see the building line stops as you leave Retamar both right and left so this marks the start of the open park land stretching in front. I strongly advise you to pull in to the Visitor Centre which is on your right as you drive further in, and there you can pick up a free map. It's important you know where the roads are, so please don't rely on your sat nav, as some roads are closed to preserve the plants. The park is very big, so don't confuse the small Cabo de Gate town itself with the park that took its name.......I've seen reviews where travellers rely too much on putting the name into a sat nav, and when they hear 'You have arrived at your destination' they are confused! Similarly, people want to drive along the coast, and whilst there are great parts where you drive in parallel with the sea, to preserve the park there is no road that goes all the way along it. So, drive all the way along the coast and aim for the lighthouse, where it is rumoured sailors were called by mermaids to their watery end, and then drive BACK and pick up the road that goes up and around so that you can see the coast after that point. Look up my reviews, as I spend 3 months every year here in the park, and if you require some more info, like recommendations on places to eat, do reply to this, and I can send you more info. There is an old gold mine you can visit, salt pans with flamingos strutting about (take binoculars!), a charming little fishing port that's got great food called Isleta del Moro and the larger and more populated San Jose is a good place if you like it busier, plus the very very best beaches are Monsul and Genoveses beaches which are very sandy and are found signposted when you drive into San Jose (famous films have shot beach scenes here, as it's gorgeous!) Hope this helps, Carole! xx
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