Set amid the Martian red-rock terrain at the top of the village, the skeletal remains of Rodalquilar's gold mines are an eerie sight. The complex, which was fully operational as recently as the mid-20th century, lies abandoned – and you’re free to explore its former crushing towers and decantation tanks.

To get an insight into the area's mining history, stop first at La Casa de los Volcanes, a small museum with Spanish-language displays (some translated into English) on the mines and the geology of Cabo de Gata.

Beyond the mines, a rough dirt road continues through the hills, pocked with abandoned mines and the ruined miners' hamlet of San Diego. Rather than attempt this road by car, you'd be better off taking the Sendero Cerro del Cinto, an 11km walking trail that traverses the striking postindustrial landscape.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. La Casa de los Volcanes

0.07 MILES

At the far end of the village, this museum has displays on the local mines and the geology of Cabo de Gata and Andalucía. Signs are primarily in Spanish,…

2. Jardín Botánico El Albardinal

0.31 MILES

Rodalquilar's extensive botanical gardens showcase the vegetation of Andalucía's arid southeast. It's well planned, with every plant, tree and shrub…

3. Mirador de la Amatista

1.83 MILES

On the main road between La Isleta del Moro and Rodalquilar, this high viewpoint commands breathtaking views of the vertiginous, unspoilt coastline. From…

4. El Cortijo del Fraile

1.89 MILES

This abandoned farmstead on a windswept plain 6km northwest of Rodalquilar was the scene of the tragic, true-life love-and-revenge story that inspired…

5. Playa del Playazo

2.27 MILES

A 400m-long strip of sand, the Playa del Playazo is sandwiched between two promontories, one of which is topped by a small 18th-century fort (now a…

6. Playa San Pedro

5.06 MILES

Set between dramatic headlands 3km northeast of Las Negras, this sandy hideaway is the holy grail of the park's numerous beaches. The 250m-long playa,…

7. Cala de Enmedio

8.19 MILES

The pretty and secluded little beach of Cala de Enmedio is capped by strikingly eroded rocks. It's a bit of a hike to get to – about 1.5km southwest of…

8. Playa de los Genoveses

8.68 MILES

The first beach southwest of San José is Playa de los Genoveses, a lovely, 1km-long stretch of sand framed by two headlands. It owes its name to the…

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