Memory of Water Museum

About Memory of Water Museum

The Museo de la Memoria del Agua, also called the Museo del Agua, occupies Níjar's old market hall on the Plaza del Mercado, in the old town of this village on the edge of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. The building doubles as the town's tourist information office, so it is a natural first stop.

The site itself tells the story. The market was built over an old irrigation reservoir that regulated water for the fields, and over a public fountain dated 1859; water has now returned to the space as the subject of the museum. The exhibition follows the history of the area alongside the way its scarce water was found, stored and shared; around Níjar, irrigation ditches dating from Muslim times still water the fields. There is also a collection of documents on local hydrology and a space for digital consultation.

Níjar is known for its pottery, still made in workshops in the lower part of town, and the 16th-century Atalaya watchtower stands above the village, so the museum fits easily into a walk.

Spring and autumn are best for exploring Níjar on foot. Come in the morning, when the museum and tourist office are reliably open, and check afternoon hours locally.

Memory of Water Museum in pictures

What you’ll find

• Museum exhibitionExhibition visitTicket
• Museum galleriesMuseum visitTicket

Nearby places to visit

From Níjar the coast of the natural park is a short drive south. Near the airport at El Toyo, Alborán Golf (17 km) is an 18-hole course built for the 2005 Mediterranean Games, and the El Toyo Public Golf School (17 km) is the Junta de Andalucía's public practice and teaching centre. On the park's western edge, Playa de Cabo de Gata (22 km) runs for kilometres beside salt pans where flamingos feed. To the east, Playazo de Rodalquilar (21 km) is a golden cove below an 18th-century coastal battery, and Playa de la Calilla (25 km) is a small beach in San José.