The Paraje Natural Cola del Embalse de Arcos is a wetland of calm waters located in the municipality of Arcos de la Frontera, in the northern part of the reservoir fed by the Guadalete. The Junta de Andalucía has protected it since 1989 and today it is also listed as a ZEPA and ZEC, with an official surface area of 154 hectares. Its landscape is dominated by reeds, cattails and reedbeds, which form a strip of marsh vegetation very representative of the waterlogged environments of the interior of Cadiz. The most interesting thing for the visitor is the combination of water, birds and open views towards the surroundings of Arcos. It is a particularly valuable place to observe fauna linked to the wetland, with the presence of species such as the Purple Gallinule, the Mallard, the Stilt Sandpiper and the Leprosy Wrasse. It also allows you to read the contrast between the sheet of water and the elevated hamlet of Arcos, an image closely associated with the natural and scenic routes of the municipality. Its relevance is not only scenic: it also stands out for its role as a nesting and wintering area for protected birds. In guides and tourist portals of the area it appears as one of the best known natural areas of Arcos, with trails and viewpoints for observation. The best time to visit is usually autumn and winter, when waterfowl activity increases, although the presence of water and vegetation is stable throughout the year.
