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| Wild Sea lavender in the Bahía de Cádiz. |
Home | Flora | Fauna | Walks
BahÍa de Cadiz Natural Park - Flora
By Jo Williams
Centuries ago the shore line was densely wooded with pine forests, until it was largely destroyed in fires started in the Napoleonic Wars. Today, patches of this remain, like the well preserved 140ha Pinar de la Algaida near Puerto Real, which is made up mainly of umbrella pines. The most extensive wooded area in the park, it is inhabited by a wealth of different bird species and the rare chameleon See our section on walks for details of a route through the Algaida pine forest. There is a much smaller pine forest in Sancti Petri.
Park vegetation is dominated by the salt marshes, which are colonised by halophytic plants, like saltwort (sarcocornia perennis, salicornia ramosisima), cordgrass (spartina maritima, s.densiflora). In the higher areas that are only covered by water at high tide are glaucous glasswort (arthrocnemum macrostachyum), limoniastrum monopetalum, halimione portulacoides, sea lavender (limonium sp.) or the rare cynomorium coccineum.
In the intertidal mudflats are the fields of the phanerogams cymodocea nodosa, zostera marina and zostera noltii.
On the dunes, like those on the Punta del Boquerón, are marram grass (ammophila arenaria), spiny rushes (juncus acutus), Russian thistles (salsola kali), sea rocket (cakile maritimus), sea holly (eryngium maritumum) and clumps of sea daffodils (pancratium maritimum). on the most established dunes there is retama (retama monosperma), the yellow-flowered crucianella maritima which is typical of sandy habitats and the endangered species of mullein, verbascum pseudocreticum.
The five freshwater lakes in the park - the Charca de San Jaime, Laguna del Pinar de la Algaida, the Encharcamiento Pinar Algaida, the Encharcamiento de Torregorda and the Laguna de Camposto - are fringed by the endemic armeria gaditana, reeds and rushes, with the submerged vegetation providing an important source of food for fauna like the ducks, coots, frogs and toads that inhabit the lakes.
Chiclana de la Frontera Hotels
Book hotels in Chiclana de la Frontera
Located on the beachfront of Barrosa Beach in Sancti Petri, Royal Hideaway Sancti Petri features 5 outdoor pools with hot tubs and Andalusia’s largest spa.
The U-Spa includes a heated indoor pool, a hydrotherapy circuit, fitness centre and beauty and wellness treatments.
Situated just 20 minutes' drive from the beaches of the Costa de Luz, this hotel is decorated in cheerful colours with a very pleasant glass-roofed lounge and a typically Andalusian central courtyard.
Hotel Spa Valentin Sancti Petri is located on La Barrossa beach, next to a golf course. Set within gardens, it features rooms with balconies or terraces, free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor swimming pools and a spa.
Rooms at the Valentin are brightly decorated and air conditioned. Each has a desk, satellite TV and a minibar.
Set next to Novo Sancti Petri Golf Course, this stylish hotel offers indoor and outdoor pools and smart suites with a private terrace. Free WiFi is available throughout.
The spacious rooms at the Vincci Resort Costa Golf feature modern décor. They are equipped with a separate seating area with satellite TV.
Just 2 km from Barrosa Beach of the Andalusian coast, this hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, a charming cafe with an open-air terrace, where you can enjoy a traditional breakfast.
Enjoy the best of Andalusia with a stay in this charming small hotel, located in an attractive district of Chiclana and 1 km from La Barrosa Beach.
Set overlooking the beach, the Hotel Barrosa Palace is a luxurious property located near the town of Chiclana de la Frontera in Andalusia.
Set in the charming, rural town of Chiclana, this traditional-style hotel allows you to explore the ancient whitewashed villages and beautiful beaches that are found around this part of Andalusia.
Iberostar Royal Andalus offers sea views from its setting on La Barrosa Beach. It offers rooms with balconies, 6 out-door swimming pools, 1 in-door pool and golf courses.
Located just off the beautiful La Barrosa Beach in Novo Sancti Petri, this Andalusian-style hotel offers an outdoor pool and extensive gardens. Iberostar Selection Andalucia Playa also includes a spa area. Free high speed WiFi is available throughout.
Set in an Andalusian palace, this luxury hotel offers a free spa, a large outdoor pool and direct access to La Barrosa Beach. Each elegant room includes a furnished terrace. Gran Meliá Sancti Petri offers spacious rooms with a seating area and flat-screen satellite TV. Decorated in light colours, they all include free WiFi and a minibar.
