BEST BEACHES in Almeria
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Top Attractions in Spain
Almost half of Almeria’s 217 km long coastline consists of beaches. Whereas much of Spain’s Mediterranean coast has suffered from overdevelopment, the costa de Almeria and its semi desertic landscapes have remained mostly untouched.
The best beaches of Almeria are found in the Cabo de Gata Nature Park. Playa de los Muertos, Playa de Monsul & Cala del Plomo are just a few of the most spectacular beaches in Cabo. But if staying in the small towns of Cabo de Gata is too relaxed for you, make sure to check out the resort town of Mojacar Playa.
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Playa de Monsul is one of the most popular beaches in Cabo de Gata and also in the whole of Spain. As such, visiting Monsul beach is clearly one of the best things to do in Almeria.
This 300 m long sandy beach features a huge volcanic rock known as Peineta de Monsul (Monsul’s comb) which divides the beach in two making it very special. The fine sand and crystalline waters only add to the allure of this gorgeous beach.
Several movies, TV series and music videos have been recorded in and around Playa de Monsul. The beach even appeared in a scene of the movie Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade.
To the side of the beach stands a massive sand dune. Walking up it you feel like you are in the Sahara desert. And we encourage you to do it, because from the top of the dune you will be able to enjoy great views of the beach below and the coastline of Cabo de Gata.
Playa de Monsul is an undeveloped virgin beach. This means that there are no services or amenities (you have to take everything you might need with you). It’s located 5 km south of San Jose, Almería. From the parking, it is a 5-minute walk to the beach. However, during high season the parking gets filled quickly and it’s recommended to get to the beach by bus from San Jose.
Cala del Plomo is another marvelous virgin beach in Cabo de Gata. This 200 m long sandy beach boasts crystalline shallow waters that offer great snorkeling and diving.
The beach is surrounded by fossilized sand dunes. Although it is totally undeveloped, there are a couple of old houses around, some of them from the 18th century.
The closest town to Cala del Plomo is Agua Amarga. To get to the beach, it is necessary to follow a detour from the main road following a rough dirt path for about 8 km. From the parking, it’s just a couple of minutes walk to the beach.
As is with all the remote beaches of Cabo de Gata, nudism is common.
As another alternative, it is possible to walk to Cala del Plomo from Agua Amarga. The journey takes about 1 hour (one way). If you are up for the challenge, halfway you can stop at Cala de Enmedio.
Also located in Cabo de Gata, Playa de los Muertos is often listed as one of the best beaches in Spain. It is characterized by a huge free standing rock on the water edge, similar to the one of Playa de Monsul.
Although Playa de los Muertos is much more spacious than Monsul (1.2 km long vs 300 m), it should be noted that this beach isn’t made up of sand but small pebbles instead. However, those pebbles help the beautiful turquoise waters look even more crystal clear. Make sure to bring your snorkel to check out the rich marine life around this beach.
Playa de los Muertos (Beach of the Dead) gets its name because in the past, when ships would wreck in the area, the dead bodies would end up on this beach.
Playa de los Muertos is located halfway between the towns of Agua Amarga and Carboneras (15-min drive). The parking is situated 60 m above sea level. To get to the beach, it is necessary to follow a downhill path for about 15 minutes. Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes and bring enough water, because this is another virgin beach without amenities.
San Juan de los Terreros is a village in the northern corner of Almeria, just south of Murcia. It is home to a variety of stunning beaches that have gained fame in the last couple of years.
While beachgoers will find all basic amenities and a couple of chiringuitos around, the area hasn’t been overdeveloped.
There are several sandy beaches in the town itself such as Playa de la Mar Rabiosa, Playa de la Mar Serena, and Playa del Calypso. They feature easy access and quiet waters, making them very popular among families with children. There are also some smaller coves surrounded by fossilized sand dunes such as Cala Costa Tranquila, Cala La Tía Antonia and Cala El Invencible.
Calypso beach takes its name from the iconic ship of the researcher and conservationist Jacques Cousteau which is said to have landed on this beach in the 50’s.
If you are looking for more solitude, there are also several beautiful virgin beaches outside San Juan such as Playa de los Cocedores or Playa de las Palmeras.
Playa de los Genoveses is another one of the most beloved beaches of Almeria and the Cabo de Gata Nature Park. Although very popular, this 1.2km sandy beach is so spacious that it rarely feels crowded.
This beautiful bay features shallow transparent waters that make it perfect for families with children. The beach is surrounded by fossilized sand dunes and virgin landscapes. There isn’t a single building in sight!
Playa de los Genoveses takes its name from a fleet of 200 Genovese ships which anchored on it in 1147. They came to join the Catholic troops in the fight to expel the Moors from the city of Almeria.
In the southern corner of Playa de los Genoveses stands a hill called Morron de los Genoveses. From the top of this hill, it is possible to enjoy great views of the coastline all the way to the town of San Jose. From there, it is also possible to hike to several more secluded coves.
Playa de los Genoveses is located 3 km south of the town of San Jose following a dirt path. From the parking, it is a 5-minute walk to the beach.
Playa de los Cocedores, also known as Cala de los Cocedores, is a 150 m long beach in the northern most point of Almeria. It is surrounded by breathtaking cliffs of fossilized sand that have been eroded by the ocean over the centuries, creating a unique landscape.
This small half-moon shaped bay features turquoise waters, great for snorkeling. There is also a shallow natural pool perfect for small children.
Cala de los Cocedores can be translated as Cookers’ Cove. Before the 1960’s it wasn’t visited by tourists but instead it was used by local farmers. Here they gathered the esparto grass harvested from the surrounding hills and cooked it slowly for later use. Today, you can still see cave-houses in the corners of the bay. These were used by the farmers to store their tools and the esparto grass.
Although it is an undeveloped beach, there are three beach bars (chiringuitos) in the surroundings.
Playa de los Cocedores is located 3.5 km north of San Juan de los Terreros, next to the Playa de las Palmeras. Although it is possible to walk along the coast, it is easier to get there by car. From the parking, it is just a couple of minutes by foot to the beach.
El Playazo de Rodalquilar is a 400 m long golden sandy beach in Cabo de Gata. This tranquil bay features turquoise waters which makes it great for snorkeling and diving.
At its northern end stands the San Ramon Castle, which was built in the 18th century to protect the coastline. Right under the castle there is a tiny 50 m long cove known as the Calilla del Playazo.
Although El Playazo is totally undeveloped, there is one beach bar (chiringuito).
El Playazo de Rodalquilar is located 4km away from the town of Rodalquilar. It is possible to park right next to the beach. However, due to its easy access it can get pretty crowded during high season.
The town of Mojacar Playa is home to 17 km of gorgeous coastline that stretches below the Sierra Cabrera mountains. Although Mojacar Playa is quite touristy, it’s still a charming town made up mostly by low-rise whitewashed buildings.
The beaches in the urban center have all amenities and facilities one would expect (lifeguard, showers, beach bars, parking, rental of sunbeds and umbrellas, etc.). They are also surrounded by a large variety of bars, restaurants, shops and night clubs. Some of the most popular beaches in the town itself are Playa de las Ventanicas and Playa del Lance Nuevo.
Along the coastal strip south of Mojacar Playa you will find several defensive structures built throughout history to defend the area. Good examples of it are the Torre del Pirulico (built by the Moors between the 12th and 14th centuries) and the Castillo de Macenas (built by the king Charles III in the 18th century).
As you go north, the amount of buildings and developments decrease. Therefore, the beaches are usually less crowded.
But those looking for more seclusion should head south of Mojacar Playa. There, you will find several virgin beaches and coves such as Playa de Macenas and Cala del Sombrerico. Nudism is common in this area.
If you are in Mojacar Playa, you shouldn’t miss a visit to Mojacar Pueblo, where it all started. This picturesque village of whitewashed houses is located atop a hill of the Sierra Cabrera mountains, just 5-min drive from the beach.
Cala de Enmedio is a splendid 150 m long cove located in the Cabo de Gata Nature Park. It is made up of fine golden sand and surrounded by stunning cliffs. Although it is great for swimming, you should be careful with the waves and water currents, especially on windy days.
Cala de Enmedio is very isolated. It is only possible to get there by foot from either the town of Agua Amarga or the parking of Cala del Plomo. In both cases, one way takes about 30 minutes. As another alternative, you can also hire a boat to take you there from Agua Amarga.
Cala de Enmedio is a totally undeveloped virgin beach.
Isleta del Moro is one of the quaintest villages in Cabo de Gata. It is made up of small whitewashed houses that were once fishermen homes. Although this sleepy village has only 170 inhabitants, it certainly comes to life during the summer months when it receives visitors from all over Spain and Europe.
The beach in town is known as the Playa de Isleta del Moro or Playa del Peñón Blanco. This 250 m long stretch of fine white sand gets its name from the huge white rock (“peñón blanco” in Spanish) that divides it in two.
Since it is right in the town, the Playa del Peñón Blanco has some basic amenities. For example, there are several restaurants in the area, which are actually well known for the high quality of the fresh fish.
The access to the beach is very easy, since there is a parking area right next to it.
The town of Aguadulce is located just 9 km northeast of downtown Roquetas de Mar. It actually belongs to the municipality of Roquetas and is home to its most beautiful beach.
Featuring dark sand and tranquil waters, the beach of Aguadulce is actually one of the most frequented in all of Almeria. This is mainly due to its proximity to the capital, which is only a 15-min drive away.
The beach of Aguadulce occupies over 2 km of sandy beachfront, from the port to the Playa de la Ventanilla. It is framed by a promenade full of bars, restaurants, shops, etc. As a developed town beach, it has all basic amenities: lifeguards, showers, rental of sunbeds and umbrellas, etc.
Moreover, this beach makes a special effort to break physical barriers and it’s adapted to people with mobility issues. It even has qualified personnel for the assistance of disabled persons if required.
| BEACH | LOCATION | CHARACTERISTICS |
|---|---|---|
| Playa de Monsul | San Jose – Cabo de Gata | 300m long | dark sand | virgin beach |
| Cala del Plomo | Agua Amarga – Cabo de Gata | 250m long | dark sand and some small pebbles | virgin beach |
| Playa de los Muertos | Carboneras – Cabo de Gata | 1.2km long | small pebbles | virgin beach |
| San Juan de los Terreros | Pulpi | several kms of urban & virgin beaches | mostly dark golden sand |
| Playa de los Genoveses | San Jose – Cabo de Gata | 1.2km long | dark golden sand | virgin beach |
| Playa de los Cocedores | Pulpi | 150m long | dark golden sand | virgin beach |
| Playazo de Rodalquilar | Rodalquilar – Cabo de Gata | 400m long | golden sand | virgin beach |
| Mojacar Playa | Mojacar | several kms of urban & virgin beaches | mostly golden sand |
| Cala de Enmedio | Agua Amarga – Cabo de Gata | 150m long | fine golden sand | virgin beach |
| Playa del Peñon Blanco | Isleta del Moro – Cabo de Gata | 250m long | fine golden sand | urban beach |
| Playa de Aguadulce | Aguadulce – Roquetas de Mar | 2km long | golden sand | urban beach |
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