PLAYA DE LOS GENOVESES

GET THERE BY CAR

Playa de los Genoveses is located 3 km south of San Jose’s center. By car, it takes about 10 minutes to get to the beach.

However, keep in mind that during high season, access to the beach by car is limited. As soon as the parking is full (which has space for about 220 vehicles), the road is closed. After that, the only way to get to the beach is by foot, bike or public bus.

GET THERE ON FOOT

Following that same dirt road on foot, you will reach Genoveses Beach in about 40 minutes.

However, from the most southern area of San Jose, it is possible to get to the beach following a path by the oceanfront in about 10 minutes. The path starts at the end of Calle Cerro Gordo.

GET THERE BY BUS

During high season, it is possible to get to Playa de Los Genoveses from San Jose by bus. There is one bus every 30 minutes from 9am til 9pm and one ticket costs 1.5€. The bus has 3 stops in San Jose: Calle Entrada (next to the parking), Calle de Correos (in front of the supermarket) and Calle Ronda (at the beginning of the dirt road to the beaches). It stops at the following beaches: Playa de los Genoveses, Playa de Barronal, Playa de Monsul and Cala Carbon.

PARKING AT PLAYA DE LOS GENOVESES

The parking area is located just 150 m from the beach. During high season (mid June til mid September) parking costs 5€/day. It is free the rest of the year.

Please note that, as mentioned above, during high season when the parking is full, the access of more cars is forbidden.

ACCESS TO GENOVESES BEACH

From the parking, it’s a 5-min walk to the Genoveses beach. The path is flat and easy.

Kayaking is without a doubt, one of the top things to do in Cabo de Gata. Some of the best views of the nature park are seen from the water and kayaking along the coast allows you to see areas that are totally inaccessible from the land – that includes some impressive rock formations and secret caves.

We suggest taking park in this kayaking tour of the Cabo de Gata coast. You will be accompanied by a professional and friendly instructor at all times, who above all, will have your safety in mind. Throughout the tour, there are several stops with geological explanations of the cape and other curiosities and mysteries.

In addition, this tour includes a stop in a calm area where you can anchor your kayak and do some snorkeling. Masks, snorkels and fins are all included in the price.

The route is easy, suitable for both adults and children. The starting point for this kayak excursion is the beach of San Jose.

If you just want to relax on a boat and take in Cabo de Gata’s jaw dropping coastline, then a boat trip from San Jose is the perfection option. The tours depart from San Jose’s port and take you to discover virgin beaches and hard to reach spots along the shoreline. Below are two great options:

• Boat tour with swimming: This trip takes place on a large 11 person zodiac boat with individual seating and an awning so you don’t get completely roasted in the strong sun. The trip lasts 1.5 hours and will stop for a swim in a special spot.

• Boat tour with snorkeling: This is a very similar trip as the one mentioned above, however, the focus is on snorkeling. It takes place on a comfortable fiberglass boat that has an awning. This trip lasts approximately 2 hours.

Snorkeling in Cabo de Gata is a great way to see the world below the surface in the nature park. You will discover an abundance of life amongst the sea grass known as the Posidonia prairie. Fish around here get up close and personal since they aren’t afraid of humans as in other parts due to the parks prohibition on underwater fishing.

If you don’t care to combine a boat trip with snorkeling and just want to have an all out snorkeling experience, then we recommend to take part in this snorkeling tour. The starting point is at Cala Higuera which is situated right next to San Jose. From here you will be given equipment and swim out with a guide who will show you the best spots to see sea life as well as underwater rock formations and caves.

A different way to discover the natural park is participating in this 4x4 tour of Cabo de Gata. During the 2.5 hours of this activity, you will have the opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful corners of the area, such as the iconic Reef of the Mermaids, saltwater lakes, hidden pristine beaches and much more – all accompanied by an expert guide and driver. In addition, during the summer, the tour makes a stop for a swim at one of the beaches.

The starting point of this tour is the town of San Miguel de Cabo de Gata.

In 1147, a fleet of 200 Genovese ships anchored in the bay waiting to join the Catholic troops in order to expel the Moors from the city of Almeria. They waited here for over 2 months until the battle finally took place. Since then, the flag of Almeria city is the same as the flag of Genoa.

Then in 1571, the Spanish military forces (over 300 ships and 30,000 men) gathered in this bay before setting off to fight in the Battle of Lepanto.

Genoveses beach and the surrounding sand dunes have also appeared in several TV programs and movies such as Lawrence of Arabia.