Cabo de Gata National Park is one of Andalucia’s best-kept secrets. This is where the locals fled to when the temperatures reach unbearable degrees, especially around Granada, or when Costa del Sol becomes too crowded with tourists coming to spend their summer holidays in the South of Spain.
Cabo de Gata-Nijar is a natural reserve located in Almeria, famous for the only desert in continental Spain, the Tabernas Desert. There are plenty of beaches in Cabo de Gata, some of which can only be accessed by hiking or by sailing. If you choose to spend your beach holiday in Cabo de Gata you should know that because this is such a special area, without any crowds and mostly no facilities or beach clubs. Cabo de Gata is a perfect destination for a relaxed holiday in which you can properly connect with nature and enjoy its wonders.
About Cabo de Gata
The Cabo de Gata National Park is a 63-kilometre of protected coastline that is full of sandy bays, beautiful coves, and a few fortresses surrounded by volcanic sand dunes. This outstanding stretch of the protected area is considered to be the best on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. The beaches in Cabo de Gata are non-touristy, undeveloped, secluded, and are regarded as the best beaches in the South of Spain. Here is a list of some of the best beaches in Cabo de Gata.
How to Get to Cabo de Gata
The closest airport to Cabo de Gata is Almeria, which is about half an hour away from the national park.
As most of the beaches in Cabo de Gata are quite remote and undeveloped, the best way to explore them is by hiring a car. I always recommend hiring a car through Holiday Extras, as they will show you the exact price you will pay for the car, including all the extra insurances the companies will hit you with at the pick-up. Many companies advertise car rentals for 3 euros a day, but when you arrive at the counter to pick up your car, they will hit you with the extra insurance which can go up to 20 euros extra a day. With Holiday Extras you can book that insurance for a much lower fee and whilst you will still need to pay the deposit for the car, in case something happens, you will be covered. I always hire cars through them when I travel abroad and so far, I never had an issue nor had to pay extra from the price agreed online.
There are some local buses between Almeria and some of the villages around Cabo de Gata, but if you really want to move around and explore more than one beach, I highly recommend the freedom a car offers you.
Where to Stay in Cabo de Gata
Budget: Habitaciones Martin
This small B&B offers modern air-conditioned rooms and a seasonal swimming pool. It is a highly rated property, less than 9 minutes’ walk from the beach in San Jose. The rooms are rustic decorated and comfortable.
You can check the reviews on Tripadvisor or click here to see the latest rates on Booking.com
Medium range: Hotel Cala Arena
Cala Arena is a boutique adults-only hotel with a rooftop swimming pool, located just 100 yards from San Jose Beach. This is an allergen-free hotel, which makes it perfectly clean and a great choice for people with allergies. The rooms are spacious and some have a sea view.
You can check the reviews on Tripadvisor or click here to see the latest rates on Booking.com
Luxury: Barcelo Cabo de Gata
Barcelo never disappoints. Close to El Toyo Beach, this hotel features four swimming pools and a beachfront terrace. The rooms are airy and spacious, modern decorated, with balconies overlooking the sea or the pools area.
You can check the reviews on Tripadvisor or click here to see the latest rates on Booking.com
The Best Beaches in Cabo de Gata:
Playa de Monsul
Playa de Monsul is one of the best beaches in Cabo de Gata. This beach features crystal clear water and impressive sand dunes formed by volcanic eruptions. Right at the centre of this pristine beach is a rock that resembles a wave getting into the sea, which doubles up as a sun shade.
With a relatively gradual deepening of the water at the beach, it is safe to swim for children. The beach has also been featured in Steven Spielberg movies like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Playa de Monsul is undeveloped, with no amenities or shops in sight, so make sure you bring enough food and water for your stay here.
Facilities:
- Public transport
- Parking
Playa de Los Muertos
Playa de Los Muertos is the most famous beach in Cabo de Gata. It has also been voted the best beach in Spain for several years. Los Muertos means ‘the dead’; the name comes from the bodies of shipwreck wayfarers that got washed up here.
The beach features a gravity-defying standing rock and blue water that looks very inviting. It is a fantastic beach for swimming unless a strong wind from the east causes the waves to become dangerous. The beach has no facilities, so ensure to carry all your beach gear, as well as food and water with you.
Facilities:
- Parking
Las Salinas
Las Salinas is one of my favourite beaches in Cabo de Gata. Located not very far from the town with the same name, it is the largest beach in this area and has excellent water quality. The adjacent tiny village of Las Salinas is famous for its salt flats, where there is an enormous wetland with flamingos and other migratory birds. This beach is ideal for families as it has plenty of facilities like public transport, showers, and restaurants.
Facilities:
- Showers and Toilets
- Lifeguard
- Chiringuitos
- Bars/ Restaurants
- Rental equipment for water sports
- Parking
Playa de Los Genoveses
Located in the municipality of Nijar, Playa de Los Genoveses is amongst the most desert-like beaches of Cabo de Gata. It is surrounded by fossilised dunes. The beach takes its name from a fleet of 200 ships that took shelter at this cove before conquering Almeria. Being a flat beach, it is pretty good when travelling with kids. However, there are no services at the beach, so make sure you bring your own food and drinks.
Facilities:
- Public transport
- Parking
Playa Las Negras
Playa Las Negras is a beach in the Las Negras village, which is 33 kilometres away from the Cabo de Gata village. A black-rocked headland protects this pristine beach. The beach has lots of shelter and facilities; hence it’s amongst the most popular beaches of Cabo de Gata in summer. Playa Las Negras is a stony beach with crystalline water, but it is excellent for swimming.
Facilities:
- Parking
- Restaurants
- Supermarkets
- Boat excursions
- Bars
- Chiringuitos
Cala San Pedro
Cala San Pedro is a difficult-to-access beach. It can either be reached by boat or by an one hour hike from the Las Negras village. It is known as one of the hippiest beaches of Cabo de Gata. There is a community that has made camps here and lives here permanently. The beach has calm waters and it is great for snorkelling and scuba diving. What makes this beach even more appealing is a freshwater spring right next to it.
No Facilities
Playa del Penon Blanco
Playa del Penon Blanco is a small beach located in the village of Isleta del Moro, 30 kilometres away from Cabo de Gata village. It is a 400-metre curve of the picturesque beach of fine volcanic sand greyish in colour. The beach is safe for swimming. It is amongst the best beaches in Cabo de Gata for snorkelling and diving as it has crystal clear water. The beach is usually crowded in summers when the Spanish tourists descend towards the national park from their inland residences, but otherwise, it is secluded and quiet.
Facilities:
- Bars
- Restaurants
- Parking
- Lifeguard
Las Sirenas
You will reach the Lighthouse of Cabo de Gata after you pass the Las Salinas village. From here, you will find Las Sirenas beach on the left. Las Sirenas is one of the best beaches at Cabo de Gata for snorkelers. It is difficult to access the beach, so you will never find it crowded. There is no shade at the beach; so make sure to bring along your umbrella. Also, this beach doesn’t have any facilities such as showers, restaurants or lifeguards. Las Sirenas is known for its incredible sunsets.
Facilities:
- Parking
Faro Cabo de Gata and Playa de San Miguel
If you continue driving from La Salinas village, you reach Faro de Cabo de Gata, a cliff-top lighthouse with stunning panoramic views of the entire natural park. You can see as far as the volcanic reef of ‘Arrecife de las Sirenas’. The lighthouse area is one of the most instagrammable places in Cabo de Gata. On the right side of the lighthouse there is a small virgin beach. It doesn’t have any facilities, but it is good to swim.
Playa de San Miguel is located next to the Cabo de Gata promenade. It has fantastic sand composition for swimming and other water activities. It is probably the closest and busiest beach in Cabo de Gata and has many facilities.
Facilities:
- Parking
- Public transport
- Disability access
- Showers
- Playground
- Bars
- Restaurants
- Sun loungers and Umbrella Rentals
- Chiringuitos
- Lifeguard
Playa del Barronal
Barronal beach is located between the Playa de Monsul and Playa de Los Genoveses. It is a spectacular beach hidden between rocky outcroppings. You need to walk about 15 minutes from the parking lot to reach Barronal beach. Barronal is a naturist beach, so you will likely see a lot of nudists tanning and swimming. Further from the beach is Barronal cove which is even more secluded. Playa del Barronal beach has calm and clear waters and it is perfect for swimming.
Facilities:
- Parking
Playa Los Escullos
Playa Los Escullos beach has something for everyone. It has sand dunes, water sports, rock climbing, snorkelling, and diving. It is especially known for underwater activities as a large variety of ocean fauna, and marine wildlife are available to look at. Castillo de San Felipe, the abandoned stone castle, is located within walking distance from the beach and makes up for a good sightseeing spot along the Almeria coastline.
Facilities:
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Campsite
- Parking
- Diving clubs
Playazo de Rodalquilar
Playazo de Rodalquilar is one of the most easily accessible beaches in Cabo de Gata. This means that it is a great beach to visit with families. In addition, a small fortress, Castillo de San Ramon ruins, is located close by that you can visit for exploration and more seclusion. Also, take a walk along the beach to see fossilised dunes. The bay is calm and thus ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving. However, there are no amenities at the beach.
Facilities:
- Parking
Cala del Plomo
Cala del Plomo is one of the most secluded beaches in Cabo de Gata. Very few people know about this beach so it is never crowded. Also, the beach is difficult to access as you have to drive on a rough unpaved road for 8 kilometres to reach here. The beach is rocky and has got plenty of snorkelling opportunities due to the crystal clear waters. However, be careful when entering the water as the big rocks can hurt you. Considering its remote location, no services or amenities are available at the beach.
No Facilities
Cala de Enmedio
Further along the Cala del Plomo beach is Cala de Enmedio. It is a beautiful cove made up of white rocks. The cove is surrounded by cliffs on both sides, thus making it a hidden spot. You will have to walk for about 30 minutes from the parking lot of Cala del Plomo to reach this beach. You can also rent a kayak from Agua Amarga to get here. Slightly challenging to access, the beach water is crystalline and is excellent for swimming. The beach is undeveloped and has no amenities, so make sure to bring everything you need with you, especially drinking water.
No Facilities
Isleta del Moro
This beach is at the seaside of the pueblo of Isleta del Moro. There is a small island off the coast where you can walk when the tide is low. The water at the beach is extremely clear, and you can easily see the bottom from the shore. This makes it a great spot for snorkelling and diving. Unfortunately, Isleta del Moro is a tiny beach and thus gets really crowded in the summers. If you find lots of tourists here, head a little further to the Playa del Penon Blanco beach, which is wide and has a long stretch.
Facilities:
- Parking
- Shower
- Lifeguard
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