CARBONERAS

The fishing village of Carboneras, popular for its beautiful beach watched over by the tiny island of San Andres, has seen extensive development in the last few years. The town marks the start of the Cabo de Gata natural park which combines a coastal area of stunning dunes, an immense range of wildlife including flamingos and sea which is perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving, and an inland park area of outstanding beauty, nestled between the Sierra Cabrera mountains and the Mediterranean sea.

The town displays typical Arabic architecture, with old watchtowers such as El Rayo overlooking the sea, and its port is a popular spot for fishing and sports.
Properties range from the old in need of care and attention to off-plan near the beach. A townhouse here in need of restoration can cost as little as 85,000 euros, rural cortijos (farmhouses) also needing some repair from 150-200,000 euros and off-plan two-bedroom beachfront apartments from 170,000 euros.