For most living creatures to say Almeria that is to say sun (who baptized Paris like the city of light either didn't know us or went overboard with absinthe on some crazy night by the Seine) & beaches. And also for that majority it is surely no secret that the Almeria Coast houses some of the beaches, coves & coves most beautiful in the world. Coves abrupt and remote turquoise waters, extensive sandy beaches next to wetlands, nudist shelters where you can defenestrate your mobile and everything that smells of civilization, beaches ideal for the tourism more traditional... anyway, that we have everything, and everything of first.
Our enviable coast can be divided into two sections: Poniente y LevanteThe latter includes the well-known Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. In these two coastal stretches you will find infinite beautiful beachesBut since I can't pick up all of them in this post (more than 200 km of coastline is a long way off) I have no choice but to risk picking up 10. visit them(WARNING: the Almeria Coast is highly addictive).
Well, players, here goes my 10 best beaches in Almeria in countdown mode (at the end of the post you have a map with the locations)
10. Aguadulce Beach (Roquetas de Mar)
One of the beaches with the longest history of all Almeria Coast is that of Aguadulcebelonging to this ancient fishing enclave that was declared Tourist Zone in 1964.
It is 2.5 km long and, as all of them, it only gets crowded on the weekends of the holiday summertime. It's a beach which has all sorts of infrastructures & services (toilets, showers, bins, umbrellas, hammocks, etc.) It also has special access for people with impaired mobility (next to the marina).
Beach ideal for urbanitesIf you get tired of lying on the sand, don't worry, in a few steps you will find some chiringuito!!
9. Las Salinas Beach (Cabo de Gata)
With its 5 km length it is one of the beaches more extensive of the N.P. Cabo de Gata-NíjarThe village of San Miguel de Cabo de Gata (simply the Cape) and the Monteleva Trap. It takes its name from the Cabo de Gata Saltworks, an ancient lagoon that forms a rich ecosystem of water birds, including migratory species such as the pink flamingo.
You can access the beach using a wooden walkways located next to the car park, which is actually the same hard shoulder that runs along both sides of the road. But remember to pull beach kit (fridge, umbrella and so on...).
If you blow the westerly wind discard it and visit better some of the beaches you'll find from the Touring the outstanding Cabo de Gata (I mean the geographical feature) to the north. And at this point it would be necessary to make a important clarificationWhen we talk about Cabo de Gata we can actually refer to the town, the geographical feature of the cape or the natural park.
8. Beach of Punta Entinas-Sabinar (Roquetas de Mar)
If you still think Poniente almeriense = Sea of Plasticthere is no better remedy than a excursion at this vast sandy beach more than 2600 m. long that extends between Roquetas & El Ejido. Although it actually comprises several beachesIt takes its name from a natural area formed by dunes, salt pans and lagoons where water birds are housed.
In few areas of our coast you will enjoy such a feeling of loneliness amidst the enormity as in this beach. It's completely intactThe nudism and you will have no problem parking in the same lane you enter (either from the Roquetas or from Almerimar). The views of the Almeria Bay & the nearby mountains are spectacularand even the peaks of Sierra Nevada. In its depths is one of the most extensive meadows of Posidonia of our shores.
This area is also land of cinema because in the dunes of Almerimar was shot Conan the Barbarian in 1981.
7. El Arco Beach (Níjar)
Better known as The EscullosAlthough it is not exactly a town, because of the small village that is located there under the protection of the St. Philip's Battery (identical to that of the Playazo of Rodalquilar). Also preserved, inland, is the wreck of the frigate Eaglewhich went down in 1745 while sailing to Cartagena.
It's usually a quiet beachIt is a small, dark gravel road with surveillance, a hotel and the famous discotheque Shaman. She became famous because Scenes from the film James Bond, Never say never again.
For years this was one of the beaches the coast of Almeria, as it was home to an unforgettableThe Khaimahand although this one was taken from us, we will always have one of the more magical dawns all over Almeria, which features the sun, sea and La Isleta.
6. Cala del Plomo (Nijar)
As several of the beaches from Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park is located at the mouth of a river, and to access it it is best to do so from Aguamargaeither on foot or by car along the promenade that gives its name to the cove. In this same dry bed you will find a curious fortified farmhouse from the 18th century.
This flirty beach consists of sand and pebblesoffering dreamy waters for lovers of snorkel (like all Almeria in fact), and you can enjoy the meadows of PosidoniaIt is a marine plant that serves as a habitat for many other species and is the great culprit of the clean waters of this area.
This cove has become a destination for celebrities in recent summers, such as Iker Casillas or members of the European royalty (including King and Queen of Spain) eager to get away from the more hackneyed Mediterranean destinations (yes, just those you just thought of!).
5. Los Genoveses Beach (Níjar)
This majestic natural bayThe most photogenic of Almeria, is only 2 km from the town of Saint Joseph. Its 1,200 meters of fine golden sand and the total absence of any kind of construction makes it one of the Almeria's unspoiled beaches that you shouldn't miss. According to tradition the name comes from the Genoese fleet who anchored there before raiding the town of Almeria at 1147.
To get there, it is necessary to take the bus that leaves from San José in summer. In the swimming pools and rockeries that form the impressive sweet pepper the naturist area.
This beach is also famous for having been the scene of several shootings, such as The wind and the lionstarring Sean Connery,.
4. Mónsul Beach (Níjar)
Monsoon Cove is an extension of golden sand of no more than 300 metres in length which can be reached after continuing along the same lane that leads to Los Genoveses. Chosen by Steven Spielberg for your Indiana Jones and the Last Crusadewe're talking about one of the beaches of Almeria more pampered by the camera, as many others films and video clips have been shot here, like the Hail Mary of the local artist David Bisbal.
In the middle of the beachOn the shore, there is a huge volcanic rock known as La Peineta. Another great attraction of this unique beach is its immense rampant dune. Climb up to it, for the views from the coast to the watchtower of White Candle are fabulous.
There is no no service at allso you must be self-sufficient. There's a small car park near the beach (at 200 m.) in which you have to pay 5 euros in the summer, and that is REMEMBER the number of vehicles is limited in these summer dates, so it is advisable to take the shuttle from San José.
3. Los Muertos Beach (Carboneras)
Despite the tragic name (from the bodies of castaways that the currents deposited on its shore), this beach of enigmatic beauty is a regular at the top of the best beaches.
It belongs to Carbonerasalthough it is halfway between on Pueblaso we know Carboneras in our jargon, and Aguamarga. It will be there, by the same road, where you will find the parking (5 euros in summer) since to access the beach you will have to walk down by a narrow path (wear appropriate footwear). If you wish to arrive by boat, please contact the tourist information office at Carboneras.
This beach of 1.6 km in length is unspoiledof little squirrels and rabidly blue water. Once again, it is located within the Natural Park and you'll have to go early to park.
If once you return to the car you forget about the saltpeter and the climb, it will be the ideal moment to enjoy one of the better views of the Almeria province. To do this you must go up to Roland Tablean ancient coral reef where you will find a lighthousetoday a museum, and a old tower 18th century (which served as a stage in Game of Thrones,). I assure you that the experience will be memorable... (and I hope this post is a little bit to blame!).
2. El Playazo de Rodalquilar (Níjar)
(WARNING, not to be confused with the other Playazo we have in Almeria, the one in Vera!)
Despite being 3 km from the town of Rodalquilarfamous for its mining past, this beautiful natural bay It has a comfortable asphalted access that runs through a large ravine. On the way you will see some remains of the old mining town fortified, highlighting the Los Alumbres TowerThis did not prevent the first miners and their families from being captured by the Barbary pirates in 1520 (and that's because the pirates here were no story).
Once in the Playazoon the left as you look out over the sea, you will see the Saint Raymond's CastleA four-gun battery built in 1764 on a fossil dune. It would be from that time on that security would start to arrive at the coast little by little.
If you're in a good mood, explore the castle grounds a bit, you'll find juicy coves, fossils of ancient times and a curious pier carved in uncertain times. If you have shoes suitable for hiking dare to La Molata Trailwhich leads from the battery to the Crow's CoveIt will be a wonderfully inverted hour of your existence (add another hour for the return).
It's one of the beaches frequented by naturistsespecially at its rocky ends, there are parking lotand remember, once again, that you are in a nature site.
1. San Pedro Cove (Níjar)
The San Pedro Cove it's like that beaches that allow you to daydreamThis is especially suitable for adventurers and romantics. Located at the end of a ravine that is wedged between two huge rocky masses, is about 4 kilometers from the Nijar district of Las Negras and has a natural source(something miraculous in the Almeria Coast) that has allowed the development of varied vegetationwhich gives it the appearance of a oasis. Accessing it is not easy and that's part of its charm, because you can go from excursion on foot, taking a gorge from Las Negras (just under 1 hour) or by boat from that same village (about 12 euros per trip).
It was precisely the existence of the spring, coveted by pirates, that led to the construction of a tower during the reign of Philip II to which an artillery platform would later be added. Both, especially the tower, are in a dilapidated state today.
It's a nude cove turned into hippie shelter for many years, but don't be fooled business is businessSo have your wallet ready in case you feel like something fresh or you're hungry (you'll pay for it, I guarantee it). Some of the old buildings, and others not so old, have been converted into bars & garitos.
Go up the rambla to the cave to get a clay smear, dive, walk the paths that run along the slopes and enjoy this paradise on earth to the fullest (always better in the low season) but please don't get it dirtyso use only natural soaps if you bathe in the fountain and take it to Las Negras the garbage you generate (including cigarette butts!!).
Photographs from my personal file, freely downloadable or kindly provided by both the Diputación Provincial de Almería and Jesús Morillas.
