El Cabo de Gata Holidays: Beaches, Lighthouse and Weather
Almería · Andalusia · Spain · 500 residents · on the coast
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El Cabo de Gata is a seaside village of around 500 people on the Almería coast of Andalusia, sitting just 8 metres above sea level. Playa del Charco lies about a mile away, and within roughly 5 miles you reach the Cabo de Gata Lighthouse, the coves of cala del Corralete and Playa Ancón, the Castillo de San Francisco de Paula and the archaeological site of El Barranquete. The climate is remarkably dry: July and August record no rain at all, with highs of 31°C, while winter days still reach 17°C. Almería airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is only about 8 miles away.
Why go
- Almería airport is about 8 miles away, around 12 minutes by car, with direct UK flights.
- The Cabo de Gata Lighthouse stands about 5 miles from the village, a natural focus for coastal outings.
- July and August average 31°C highs with no recorded rainfall, ideal for reliable beach days.
Top sights in El Cabo de Gata
Lighthouse, Coves and Old Fortresses
The best-known sight here is the Cabo de Gata Lighthouse, about 5 miles from the village and a favourite with couples and anyone drawn to wild coastline. Close by in distance, at roughly 5 miles, is El Barranquete, an archaeological site for those who like a bit of history with their sunshine, and the Castillo de San Francisco de Paula, a fortress in the municipality of Níjar.
For the beach, Playa del Charco is the nearest, only about a mile away, which makes it the easy choice for families. Further along, around 5 miles off, cala del Corralete and Playa Ancón offer two more spots for a swim and a day on the sand.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page, so you can arrange outings before you travel.
Tours & tickets in El Cabo de Gata
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around El Cabo de Gata can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in El Cabo de Gata
A Quiet Village on the Coast
With a population of around 500, El Cabo de Gata is a small coastal village rather than a resort town, so expect a quiet, low-key stay close to the sea. It suits couples and families who want beaches within easy reach and calm evenings.
If you prefer more restaurants and nightlife, the city of Almería, about 12 miles away with nearly 197,000 residents, and the larger coastal town of Roquetas de Mar, around 21 miles away, are livelier bases. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach El Cabo de Gata and the villages around it is a hire car from Almería (LEI), about 12 min away.
Best time to visit El Cabo de Gata
When to Visit El Cabo de Gata
- 17°CJan7 mm
- 17°CFeb7 mm
- 19°CMar25 mm
- 22°CApr7 mm
- 23°CMay51 mm
- 27°CJun9 mm
- 31°CJul0 mm
- 31°CAug0 mm
- 28°CSept24 mm
- 24°COct38 mm
- 20°CNov6 mm
- 18°CDec5 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are April, May, June, July, September and October. Spring brings highs of 22°C to 23°C, while June warms to 27°C and September stays at a comfortable 28°C.
July and August are the hottest months, with highs of 31°C, overnight lows of 24°C to 25°C and no recorded rainfall. The wettest single month is May, with about 51 mm falling over four days, followed by October at 38 mm over five days. Even in winter the village is mild, with December to February highs of 17°C to 18°C and very little rain.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17°C | 10°C | 7 mm | 9 h |
| Feb | 17°C | 11°C | 7 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 19°C | 12°C | 25 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 22°C | 14°C | 7 mm | 12 h |
| May | 23°C | 16°C | 51 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 27°C | 21°C | 9 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 31°C | 24°C | 0 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 31°C | 25°C | 0 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 28°C | 22°C | 24 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 24°C | 18°C | 38 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 20°C | 14°C | 6 mm | 10 h |
| Dec | 18°C | 10°C | 5 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and the Drive
Almería airport (LEI) is the obvious choice: it has direct flights from the United Kingdom and lies only about 8 miles from the village, roughly a 12-minute drive. Granada (GRX), about 89 miles away, and Murcia (RMU), about 93 miles away, also have direct UK flights, with drives of a little over two hours from each.
The ferry ports at Almería, about 12 miles away, and Motril, about 71 miles away, serve routes to North Africa, including Nador and Melilla, rather than the UK. Driving the whole way from Calais takes around 23 hours behind the wheel, so most British travellers will fly and arrange car hire on arrival.
By air
- Almería (LEI)8 miles, about 12 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Murcia (RMU)93 miles, about 2 h 13 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Granada (GRX)89 miles, about 2 h 7 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 23 h 14 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Almería (12 miles), Motril (71 miles).
El Cabo de Gata is good for
Around El Cabo de Gata
Easy Day Trips Nearby
Almería, about 12 miles away, is the nearest city and the natural day out for shopping and a change of pace. Níjar, around 13 miles off, and the small villages of Rioja (about 17 miles) and Lucainena de las Torres (about 18 miles) offer a quieter glimpse of inland Almería province.
Further along the coast, Aguadulce is about 19 miles away and Roquetas de Mar about 21 miles. Inland, Tabernas lies around 21 miles away and Sorbas about 23 miles, both within a comfortable drive for a day.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
This is a village of only about 500 people, so for a wider choice of shops and services plan a run into Almería, around 12 miles away.
The beaches and sights are spread out, from Playa del Charco at a mile to the lighthouse and coves at about 5 miles, so car hire makes getting around far simpler. With no recorded rain in July and August and highs of 31°C, pack sun protection and plenty of water for summer outings.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to El Cabo de Gata?
Almería airport (LEI) is the closest, about 8 miles away or roughly a 12-minute drive. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Granada and Murcia airports also have direct UK flights but are around two hours' drive away.
When is the best time to visit El Cabo de Gata?
April, May, June, July, September and October offer the most pleasant conditions. July and August are the hottest, at around 31°C with no recorded rain, while spring and autumn bring highs in the low to high twenties.
Is El Cabo de Gata good for a family beach holiday?
Yes, for families who like a quiet setting. Playa del Charco is only about a mile from the village, and cala del Corralete and Playa Ancón are around 5 miles away. The village is small, with roughly 500 residents.
Do I need car hire in El Cabo de Gata?
It helps a great deal. The lighthouse, the coves, the Castillo de San Francisco de Paula and El Barranquete are all about 5 miles from the village, and day trips to Almería, Níjar or Tabernas are between 12 and 21 miles away.
How warm is El Cabo de Gata in winter?
Mild by British standards. From December to February, daytime highs reach 17°C to 18°C with lows around 10°C to 11°C, and rainfall is light, with only one or two rainy days a month.