Beaches



BEACHES - LOCAL AND A LITTLE FURTHER AFIELD

It’s long been a secret amongst Spanish visitors, that the long golden sandy beaches on Cadiz’s Costa de la Luz are some of the very best in Spain! 

There are literally miles of golden beaches between Tarifa to our South and Cadiz to our North, with a huge variety of character and facilities to suit everyone - most of the beaches offer wide expanses of golden sand and gentle waves suitable for even the smallest feet.

 You can choose between the 12km stretch of fine sand at El Palmar, or a series of sandy coves where fresh water trickles on to the beach through the sandstone cliffs at Cape Trafalgar (scene of the famous battle).

From Conil northwards towards Chiclana & Cadiz, they become more developed and crowded, especially during weekends and July & August.  However, the more South you go, the less developed and also the breezier they can get - which is why Tarifa is considered the ‘kitesurfing capital of Europe‘!  Surfing is also very popular along this part of the coastline, particular during the winter months.  
Please note that facilities on beaches (life guards, showers etc.) are normally available only from mid July to mid September. 

LOCAL

El Palmar - 10km 
The closest family beach is a 12km stretch of golden sand, which stretches from Mangueta beach (see below) to Conil crossing a stream and a river (with footbridge) on the way. The beach has two historic stone towers and a small settlement with cafés and restaurants, a few of which are open all year. The Southern & Northern ends of the beach are only accessible on foot. Also famous as one Andalucia´s best surf beaches - there are surf schools and board & wetsuit rental available most of the year (best surfing is in the Winter months). Good kite surfing, when the Poniente (Atlantic) winds blow. 

Los Caños de Meca - 15kms 
 Bohemian feel in the village, while the beaches here are narrower than most in the area - but the high cliffs provide shelter from the levante winds which occasionally blow. Well protected from waves & currents and set in a natural cliff backed bay, this is a perfect family beach with beach bars and lifeguards (in the Summer only). Swim, kitesurf, snorkel or scuba dive; walk around the coast to Cape Trafalgar, or explore the nature reserve along the cliffs towards Barbate - the beach is flanked by Las Breñas Nature Park. The beautiful Las Cortinas nudist bay is a short walk from the main beach and it is a popular gay destination too. To eat, there is a selection of laid-back places on the Avenida Trafalgar, the main street by the beach - El Pirata (+34 956 437396) is everyone’s first stop for drinks and fried fish, while El Jazmin (+34 956 437 088) is good for tapas & barbecues. Everyone gathers to watch the sun set at the beach bars, then the music is turned up and the partying begins, with places open most of the night. 

Trafalgar Bay - 14kms 
The 2km beaches here are overlooked by the imposing Trafalgar lighthouse which stands lonely on a long spit of golden sand surrounded by dunes and sea worn sandstone boulders, which is nudist-friendly. The scene of the famous battle of 1805, so the  ‘Playa de la Almas’ (the beach of Souls) gained its name after the fight was over & the bodies washed up on the coast. Two beaches flank the promontory. Note: the ‘Almas’ beach is very exposed to dangerous currents and popular with kitesurfers while the ‘Playa Trafalgar’ on the opposite side is more protected and so more popular and busier in Summer. No services all year, but it has wonderful sunsets amongst the best on the coastline.

Mangueta beach - 11km 
A small bit of undisturbed paradise among the dunes and nature. Hard to find the access via the ‘Bar Saboy’ between El Palmar & Zahora. Poor access along a rough track, but worth the effort when you get there. No services.
Playa del Carmen, Barbate - 10km Barbates town beach is a great visit if you are looking for lots of real local colour, simple beachside restaurants, showers and services on the beach. Safe swimming, virtually no rip tide and only small waves due to its protected position. Great for families, but perhaps advisable not to visit later in the evening or at night.

Playa de la Yerbabuena - 11km 
 This beach gets its name from the fresh mint that grows in the pine woods above the beach. Empty most of the year, but it does a have a beach bar in the Summer. Stunning location under the Breña cliffs and well protected from the ‘poniente’ (west) winds. Plenty of parking, but best not to leave ‘visibles’ in the car.
Zahora beach - 12km An extension of ‘Playa de las Almas’ - go here if you have kids, as in low tide the reef locks out the sea turning the beachfront into a huge natural swimming pool. Follow the signs to ‘Zajorami’ from the Camping Los Caños in Zahora. Beach bars and a couple of good restaurants in season.

Zahara de los Atunes - 18kms 
The longest beach in the area sitting between Cape Trafalgar and Tarifa, this massive stretch of white sand is accessible along half its length with some good restaurants in the town itself. The other half is property of the Ministry of Defence, although the nearby barracks turn a blind eye in the Summer to Sunday beach goers.  The town beach is Playa del Carmen, which offers facilities and services including sunbeds, chiringuitos (Summer beachside restaurants), surf, paddle and long board hire as well as kitesurfing.  I It is quite exposed to winds, but some protection can be found at the Southern Atlanterra end.

Playa de los Alemanes – 22km 
Located beyond Zahara beach & before the Camarinal lighthouse. Set below the exclusive millionaires retreat of Atlanterra, this bay is subject to powerful currents. Beautiful location but no services, bars or restaurants. However, you can walk to Bolonia beach from here (30mins – see below.)

TARIFA & TO THE SOUTH



Bolonia – one of the most beautiful beaches of fine sand with rock pools in the area (20 mins drive on the N340, about 6 miles before Tarifa), flanked by dunes and pine forests. You can see Morocco on a clear day from this beach of fine, pale sand, and swinds combined with quite small waves make this part of the coast ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Bolonia is more sheltered than the stretch farther south towards Tarifa, making it more suitable for sunbathing too.



There is a Roman settlement, Baelo Claudia, at one end of the beach, complete with the remains of a fish-salting factory, temples and baths.  The museum is small but interesting, free to EU visitors.



Try Bolonia or Los Troncos (0034 956 688533), both right on the beach, for locally caught fried fish. La Cabaña is the perfect shack for cold beers. In Bolonia village, Las Rejas (Calle Lentiscal 8, 0034 956 688546) serves fabulous fish stews.





Valdevaqueros – just North of the old port town of Tarifa, this beach with its huge sand dune is the centre for kitesurfing on the Costa de la Luz and ideal for windsurfing too.  Several little beach bars and a good restaurant with shade for lunch. 



Punta Paloma - this is the name of the headland just to the north of Tarifa that separates the expansive beaches of Tarifa from those of Bolonia.  Playa Punta Paloma itself is an unspoiled paradise beach, so seek out this series of beautiful, protected inlets - not least as there is a mud found on the beach, which apparently has similar skin-revitalising qualities for which one pays a fortune in spas!



Tarifa, Playa Chica – just for sunbathers, great for families with showers, toilets & sunshades.  Explore the winding streets and alleys in the old port town below the walls, with a great range of restaurants, cafes and shops to suit all tastes with vegetarian and vegans particularly catered for here.   Tarifa can be very windy, as you can tell from the kitesurfing - but there are also day trips to Morocco via the seacat and whale & dolphin trips from the harbour too!

CADIZ & TO THE NORTH


Conil de la Frontera - Playa La Fontanilla- once a small fishing town, this is now a busier town with a lovely older centre filled with boutiques and other shops.  Very popular with Spanish visitors, the huge golden sandy beach itself is located just to the west of the town with surf, but still family friendly.  The beach is flanked by a number of restaurants that sit beside the sand, so good for families with teenagers who want more than sitting on a beach without the crowd.



Calas de Poniente. A cala is an area enclosed by cliffs, so unsurprisingly these seven beaches are more like hidden coves. They aren’t the easiest to access (nor too difficult), but with no eating options take a picnic and expect to have plenty of space to yourself.  Note: If you want to get back to nature these beaches are nudist, but many wear some clothing - so it is optional! 



La Barossa – more of a laid-back beach resort rather than a town like nearby Chiclana de la Frontera, it is backed by a promenade with restaurants on one part, the other is undeveloped.  The 8km beach is very popular with the Spanish,  with plenty of water sports facilities, as well as a selection of bars and restaurants along the promenade in front of low rise apartments.  There are also a couple of music bars which stay open until late.



Cadiz town - spend some time exploring the old town of Cadiz with a lazy lunch, before relaxing on the beach in the afternoon.  La Caleta is more of a local family oriented beach in the city center and La Victoria is a long and wide beach along the main avenue of the city, with carnival parades at different times of the year.



Valdelgrana – is located along the West/Atlantic side of the narrow neck land that joins Cadiz to the coast.  It is one of the most popular (and commercial) beaches with the Spanish, with a park for kids too. Its size and wind conditions make it ideal for water sports like windsurfing or kite-surf, as well as pedalos to hire too.  It provides access for the disabled through gateways installed along the beach, as well as seating and bathing facilities too.  



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