SAN JOSE

San Jose is home to 850 inhabitants from a diverse background (45% Spanish, 28% Italians, 14% British). Traditionally it was a fishing village but today tourism is the main economic activity. While there are some foreigners, it’s mainly a popular destination for Spanish holiday makers and still mostly unknown outside of the country.

The paved road ends in San Jose. From there on, it is just dirt and dust! To the south of the town is an access road that takes you to some of the most famous beaches such as Genoveses and Monsul. That dirt road is closed just past the parking for Monsul Beach. From there on, it is only accessible on foot or bike. To the north of San Jose there is another dirt road that goes to Cala Higuera and a row of tiny coves.

San Jose’s largest festival is the Fiesta del Turista (Tourist Festival) which takes place on the 2^nd weekend of August. There’s live music, entertainment & more.

San Jose is just a 35 min drive from Almeria’s airport.

BUS FROM SAN JOSE TO THE BEACHES

During high season (mid June til mid September), there are buses running between San Jose and the main beaches to the south, that is: Playa de los Genoveses, Playa de Barronal, Playa de Monsul and Cala Carbon. There is one bus every 30 minutes from 9am til 9pm and one ticket costs around 1.5€. The bus makes 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 then stops at each of the four beaches mentioned above.

PLAYA DE SAN JOSE

CALILLA DE SAN JOSE

• 100m long | dark sand
• Further south
• Family friendly
• Best snorkeling in town (enter the water and turn to the right)

PLAYA DE LOS GENOVESES

• 1.2km long | dark golden sand
• One of the most popular beaches in Almeria
• However, it’s so long that it feels far from crowded
• 3 km away from downtown San Jose following the dirt path (about 10 min drive or 40 min walk)
• Calm shallow waters
• Fossilized dunes
• Virgin landscapes (no buildings, no facilities, etc.)
• From the southern end of the bay it’s possible to hike to some small coves

  FULL GUIDE TO PLAYA DE LOS GENOVESES

SMALL UNDEVELOPED COVES SOUTH OF PLAYA DE LOS GENOVESES

• Cala Príncipe, Cala Chica, Cala Grande
• 100 to 200 m long coves | golden or dark sand
• Tiny coves surrounded by volcanic walls
• Nudism is common

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

PLAYA DE MONSUL

CALA HIGUERA

• 220m long | stone beach
• Located at the foot of the Cerro de la Higuera (Fig Tree Mountain)
• Although next to the village of San Jose (5 min drive), it’s usually very tranquil
• Not the most comfortable beach – lots of stones
• Undeveloped, no amenities but just a cool chiringuito next to it

PLAYA DEL EMBARCADERO

• 300m long | some golden sand, but mostly stones
• Also known as Playa de Piedra Galera
• Located past Playa del Arco and Punta del Esparto (Esparto Point), about 12-min drive from San Jose
• “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)

PLAYA DEL ARCO

• 350m long | mix of fine golden sand and stones (changes throughout the year)
• Also called Playa de los Escullos
• 10 min drive north from San Jose
• At the south end of the beach is the largest fossilized dune in the natural 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 PEÑON BLANCO