PLAYA DE LOS MUERTOS
Cabo de Gata
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Top Attractions in Spain
Besides being one of the most famous beaches in Cabo de Gata, Playa de los Muertos has even been voted as one of Spain's best beaches. The 1.2 km stretch of beach is completely undeveloped and features a huge free standing rock formation at the edge of its crystal clear turquoise water. To arrive at the beach it is necessary to walk downhill from the parking area for 15 minutes. Although nudism is not practiced by everyone on the beach, it is quite common.
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Visiting Muertos beach is one of the top things to do in Almeria. It’s located in the Cabo de Gata Nature Park on the Costa de Almeria. It is halfway between the towns of Agua Amarga and Carboneras (15 min drive to each). It is about a 30 min drive away from Mojacar.
Other than a parking area, the beach does not have any amenities: no bathrooms, lifeguards or food/drink for sale. That means you need to take everything with you that you may want.
With that being said, in the high season there is usually a couple of guys selling ice cream, drinks and snacks on the beach – but you can’t count on that 100%. In any case, help to protect the environment and always remember to leave no trace behind (ie, don’t leave your trash).
Most of the beach is composed of small pebbles that become smaller in size the closer you get to the water. While the pebbles might not be as appealing as sand, they do help keep the water looking crystal clear. And there is a lot of marine life in the water around the beach, so make sure you bring your snorkel.
The seas around the beach can get rough at times. Be cautious, especially if you visit the beach when the winds are strong. The entrance to the water can be very steep and getting in and out could be problematic.
While Playa de los Muertos is a gorgeous beach, in our opinion it is far from being the most beautiful in Cabo de Gata, especially considering that to one side of it you see the industrial port area of Carboneras.
The stretch from the huge rock formation to the end of the beach is known as Cala del Peñon Cortado. These 90 m of beach are very popular and are usually the first to fill up. Perhaps it is because this area is more sheltered from the wind or maybe because it is impressive to be next to the huge rock!
The name Playa de los Muertos - Beach of the Dead – originated because historically when ships would wreck nearby, the currents would bring the bodies to its shore.
Playa de los Muertos is a mixed beach. This means that not everyone practices nudism, but it is quite common. In general, nudism is concentrated on the left end of the beach (when facing the sea).
The busiest times to visit are July and August. Some of its charm can be lost when it gets so full. If you want more of the beach to yourself, the best time to go would be in late spring (May - June) or early fall (September - October).
The Muertos beach is located 65 km from the city of Almeria. By car, it takes about 50 to 60 minutes.
Mojacar Playa is located 24 km north of Playa de los Muertos. By car, it takes about 30 minutes. The route runs along the coast, first along the AL-5107 road to Carboneras and then along the AL-5106 road.
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The nearest towns to Playa de los Muertos are Carboneras (6.5 km to the north) and Agua Amarga (3.5 km to the south). The beach is accessed via the road AL-5106 that connects both towns. There is a parking area next to this road.
In recent years, another popular way to get to Playa de los Muertos was by boat from Carboneras. However, new environmental protection laws prohibit the disembarking of passengers directly on the beach.
Next to the road there are several parking areas. Some parts are managed by the government and cost 5€/day while others are free.
A few minutes walk from the parking, there is a good lookout point to the beach down below. To get there, exit the parking lot situated between the road and the beach, and continue on the path to the left.
From the parking area, it takes about 15 minutes of steep walking to get to the beach. Although it is not the most taxing walk, if you have limited mobility or are traveling with small children, you might want to reconsider.
The Muertos beach is essentially located under a cliff and therefore is not easily accessed. There are three paths that start at the parking area, about 60 m above sea level, and descend gradually to the beach.
To go down to the beach, it is not recommended to wear flip flop sandals. A good pair of comfortable shoes will help you stay on your feet and keep your toes safe. Think about how much stuff you actually want to be carrying down and then back up again at the end of the day. Most importantly, make sure you bring enough water!
If you want to make the most of your visit to Cabo de Gata, exploring the area from the water should be at the top of your list. It will give you the opportunity to discover a different perspective of the park, including secluded coastline areas that are pretty much inaccessible from the land.
There’s no better way to explore Cabo de Gata from the water than by hoping onboard a sailboat. We recommend these two different sailing excursions that depart from Carboneras:
If you want to explore the area from the water, you can also take part in this 2-hour boat tour to five coves in Cabo de Gata.
Starting from the Carboneras fishing port, this tour will take you to admire the park’s gorgeous coastline and its secluded beaches and coves, including among others the famous Playa de los Muertos.
After admiring the views of the small fishing town of Agua Amarga, the boat makes a stop at the remote Cala de Enmedio, where you will have the opportunity to swim and snorkel before heading back to Carboneras.
This kayaking & swimming excursion in Cabo de Gata can be the perfect plan for travelers looking for a more active and close to the water experience.
For 3 hours, you will be able to explore the coastline by kayak, accompanied by very attentive and professional guides, who will also teach you about the wildlife and geology of Cabo de Gata. You will also have a chance to snorkel in crystal clear water and observe the rich marine life first hand.
Note that the departing point of this tour varies depending on the wind. Participants are informed about the exact meeting location the day before the tour.
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.
