As you can see in our Circuits sectionMany of them start in Tangier. And from the moment we leave, the program is intense as far as destinations are concerned. But if you have one or two days free in Tangier before the start of the program, you can consider an excursion to Cape Espartel. In this post we explain where it is and what are its main attractionsthat can be a magnificent complement to your circuit.
Where is Cape Spartel
The location of Cape Espartel is an attraction in itself: it is a smooth and wide projection of land that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean and forms the southern ‘entrance’ to the Strait of Gibraltar. southern ‘entrance’ to the Strait of Gibraltar (the northern ‘entrance’ is Cape Trafalgar, in Cadiz, about 44 km as the crow flies).
And thanks to the fact that there are few buildings (and those that there are, as we will see, are of great interest), the landscape is preserved little altered by man. In fact, its surface is protected with the figure of Natural ReserveThe area has trails and native vegetation where pines and wild flowers are present, as well as abundant Mediterranean scrub.
Places of interest in Cape Spartel
In Cape Espartel there are several points of interest, both cultural and natural. From the cultural point of view, it highlights its famous lighthousebuilt in the 19th century to prevent shipwrecks. It has been recently refurbished and is currently a multifunctional space, with a small museum about its history (including mentions of the naval battles that took place here, such as in the War of the Spanish Succession), a botanical garden and a gastronomic area. In addition, very close by are the Donabo Gardens, an even larger botanical garden designed for the purpose, with more than 300 species of flora, some native and others exotic.
On the other hand, the Caves of Hercules are perhaps the great natural attraction of Cape Spartel: these are natural caverns, adapted for tourist visits, which receive this evocative name because this may have been the place where the mythical Greco-Roman hero rested one night, before stealing the apples from the Garden of the Hesperides (eleventh labor). Its galleries and its opening to the sea give a special charm to this place, very visited as an excursion from Tangier, where you learn about geology and mythology at the same time
An option for disconnection
But despite having the aforementioned spaces for cultural and natural visits, Cape Espartel is also a magnificent place for disconnection, which you can enjoy in two ways. On the one hand, taking a dip or sunbathing on the beach. one of its many beaches: because it is a rugged and rocky landscape and because it lacks large resorts in its surroundings, they are usually not very crowded.
And on the other hand, enjoying its unparalleled sunsetThe sunset is a magical moment: keep in mind that, looking westward, there is nothing to interrupt the view of the sun falling on the horizon line, which is none other than the one drawn by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, sitting here waiting for that magical moment when the sun falls behind the water is something that many people look forward to every afternoon because, although it happens every day, each time it is different.
For all these reasons, an excursion to Cape Espartel is always an interesting proposal. And although our circuits are closed packages, whether they are group o privateWe can also adapt to the preferences of each traveler. Therefore, if your desire is to come to know this special place, please contact us to explore how to customize your tour.
