BEST BEACHES in Cabo de Gata

• 1.2 km long | small pebbles
• The most famous beach in Cabo de Gata
• Located halfway between the towns of Agua Amarga and Carboneras (15 min drive to each)
• It’s necessary to park and then walk downhill for 15 min to reach the beach
• Features a huge free standing rock and beautiful water
• Nudism is common

  FULL GUIDE TO PLAYA DE LOS MUERTOS

PLAYA DEL ALGARROBICO

• 1.4 km long | golden sand & some stones
• Located 4km north of Carboneras town
• The first beach of the Cabo de Gata Nature Park
• Great snorkeling
• Nudism is common
• In the early 2000’s the construction of a macro hotel started in this beach. After many local campaigns, the construction was stopped in 2003. Currently there are plans for its demolition
• Used as movie set for Lawrence of Arabia (1962). A replica of the city of Áqaba in Jordan was built in the beach, made up by around 300 houses. Over 400 extras were hired & over 400 horses + over 150 camels were brought from the Sahara
• Following the road a couple of kms north of Playa del Algarrobico is the Mirador de la Granatilla (Granatilla look out point) with great views over the beach

CALA LA GALERA

• 800 m long | some dark sand but mostly pebbles
• Located 2km north of Carboneras town
• Undeveloped, no services or amenities
• Great snorkeling
• Located off the same dirt road that goes to the Torre del Rayo

CARBONERAS BEACH

• The town of Carboneras features several kilometers of fine golden sand beaches
• Playa El Ancón & Playa de los Cocones y Barquicos are the main beaches downtown. They have all basic amenities and are surrounded by a promenade with plenty of bars/restaurants
• South of downtown are Playa de las Marinicas & Playa de Cueva Alta.
• At the northern end of Carboneras is Playa los Roncaores. The Hotel CH Cabo de Gata is located next to this beach.

AGUA AMARGA BEACH

• 550m long | fine dark gold sand
• Stretches along the oceanfront of Agua Amarga, surrounded by rock cliffs on both sides
• Family beach with easy access (incl. for people with reduced mobility)
• Basic services: lifeguard, WC’s, showers, trash cans
• Several bars and restaurants right next to it
• Can get quite busy during the summer months
• Variety of water activities: kayaks for rent, snorkel, dive, wakeboard, paddle surf
• Also possible to rent a boat to explore the coast
• Some small caves in the western end of the beach. Legend has it that they were inhabited in the past

CALA DE ENMEDIO

• 150 m long | fine golden sand
• Cliffs on both sides
• Crystalline water
• Great for swimming (but be careful with waves and currents)
• Very isolated – difficult access by foot
• 30 min walk from Agua Amarga or from the parking of Cala del Plomo
• Another option: rent kayaks in Agua Amarga to get there
• Nudism is common
• Great views from the beach of the Agua Amarga village with Mesa Roldan & its castle in the backdrop
• Undeveloped, no services

CALA SAN PEDRO

• 225m long | golden sand
• Historically very quiet because of the difficult access
• Hiking from Las Negras takes 60 - 90 min
• Community of nudist hippies living there
• Until not long ago, it was very isolated because of the long walk there, nowadays boats transport people constantly from las Negras to this beach (12€ round trip)
• Calm waters, great for snorkeling & scuba-diving
• Fresh water spring next to the beach
• Nudism is common
• There is remnants of a defensive structure from the 16^th century
• People often camp on the beach, especially during high season
• The beach can get packed and unfortunately full of trash

LAS NEGRAS BEACH

• 650m long | dark sand and volcanic stones
• The beach in Las Negras is a mix of rocks and sand. Not bad, but not worth getting out of your way to come to this beach
• Great place to start a boat excursion (e.g. to Cala San Pedro)
• Sometimes it can be windy with strong water currents
• Basic services and amenities in the village (bars & restaurants, etc.)
• Nice views of the Cerro Negro (“Black Mountain”) that separates Playa de las Negras from Cala San Pedro

CALA DEL CUERVO

• 130m long | dark golden sand with some stones
• Small cove among cliffs with a camping site on it (Camping La Caleta)
• 1 min drive from Las Negras
• Great for snorkeling & scuba diving
• Great panoramic views
• From here, it is possible to hike along the coast to el Playazo de Rodalquilar (60 min one-way). It’s a beautiful hike and pretty easy

ISLETA DEL MORO BEACH

• 250m long | fine golden sand
• Beach in the village of Isleta del Moro, also called Playa del Peñón Blanco
• Receives its name from the big white rock (peñón blanco) that divides the beach in two
• Parking right next to the beach and it’s a short walk into the village
• Often visited by people in camper vans

PLAYA DEL ARCO

• 350m long | mix of fine golden sand and stones (changes throughout the year)
• Also called Playa de los Escullos
• 5 min drive south from La Isleta
• Also possible to walk from La Isleta: follow easy 1.5 km path (one way) along the coast
• At the south end of the beach is the largest fossilized dune in the nature park. Next to it is the neighborhood of Los Escullos including a restaurant, bar, campsite and even a nightclub
• Castle of San Felipe is located pass the houses. Built by Carlos III in the 18^th century as part of the defensive system of Almería’s coast. Offers great views of the park’s coastline
• Pass the castle there are a couple of small undeveloped coves

PLAYA DEL EMBARCADERO

• 300m long | some golden sand, but mostly stones
• Also known as Playa de Piedra Galera
• Located past Punta del Esparto (Esparto Point)
• “Embarcadero” means “wharf, pier.” Here ships were loaded with esparto grass and other goods in the past
• Great diving
• Not the most comfy beach because it’s mostly stones
• Undeveloped, no amenities
• Parking right next to the beach
• Next to the highest point of the park (Cerro del Fraile, 500m high)

UNDEVELOPED COVES SOUTH OF PLAYA DEL EMBARCADERO

• Cala Cortada, Cala Chica, Cala Grande
• Undeveloped, very quiet, surrounded by beautiful rock cliffs
• Difficult access from land: not the easiest way down, not for everybody
• Mostly rocks

SAN JOSE BEACH

• 250m long | fine sand
• San Jose's main beach has all basic facilities & amenities: lifeguard, showers, trash cans, lounge chairs & parasols for rent, kayak rent, children’s playground, etc.
• Family friendly, gets fairly crowded in high season
• Easy access (accessible for wheelchairs)
• It’s next to the marina & surrounded by a promenade with a variety of bars/restaurants

PLAYA DEL BARRONAL

• 250m long | dark sand
• 10 min walk to the beach from the parking
• Calm waters
• In our opinion, one of the most beautiful beaches in the park
• Nudism is common

CALA RAJÁ

• 120m long | golden and dark sand
• Beautiful isolated cove, very quiet
• To get there, right before reaching the lighthouse, follow the road to the left
• Although most of the time there isn’t a physical barrier, cars aren’t supposed to pass further than the lighthouse. Many however do but you risk getting a fine
• If you leave the car by the lighthouse, it is a 30-min walk to Cala Rajá
• Between the lighthouse and Cala Rajá there is a row of beautiful quaint little coves

CALA ARENA

• 70m long | golden sand
• One of the many little coves between Cala Rajá and the lighthouse
• Tiny but extremely beautiful
• Quiet & isolated

CALA DEL CORRALETE

• 600m long | white sand
• Also known as Playa Ancón de Cabo de Gata
• Located right before the lighthouse (when driving from the saltworks)
• Easy access
• Great sunset views which can be enjoyed from the bar

PLAYA DE LA FABRIQUILLA

• 600m long | sand
• Between here and the western end of the natural park is a straight stretch of over 12 km of sandy beach
• The road runs along the beachfront, making for very easy access
• The beachfront around the village of La Fabriquilla is known as Playa de la Fabriquilla. It has some services (bars/restaurants)
• Located next to Cerro San Miguel (San Miguel Mountain) – it’s a bit more protected from the wind than further west

PLAYA DE SAN MIGUEL DE CABO DE GATA

• 2.5km long | sand
• Beach of the town of San Miguel de Cabo de Gata also known as Playa de las Salinas
• Promenade along the beach with a variety of bars/restaurants
• Several chiringuitos right on the beach
• Many amenities & facilities (lifeguard, showers, school & rent of equipment for water sports, etc)
• Check out Reservas las Salinas saltworks next to the beach – there are several birdwatching huts just off the road