The Atlantic coast of Cádiz offers some of the best beaches in Spain and Europe, both for its beauty and conditions for relaxation, and for the possibilities of practicing different sea entertainment. We present you the 15 best beaches in this Andalusian province in the extreme south of Spain.
1. La Caleta Beach
This beach located in front of the historic center of the city of Cádiz still remembers when its waters were crossed by the Phoenician sailors and other ancient peoples. The pretty little beach has been a source of inspiration for musicians, composers and writers, and is flanked by two symbolic buildings. At one of its ends is the Castillo de San Sebastián, an 18th century construction in which the Marine Research Laboratory of the University of Cádiz now works. At the other end of the beach is the Castillo de Santa Catalina, a 16th century fortress.
2. Bolonia Beach
Talking about virgin beaches in the Iberian Peninsula is already being almost impossible, but if one comes close to the name, it is this piece of Campo-Gibraltarian sea in front of the Moroccan city of Tangier. One of its attractions is the Dune of Bolonia, an accumulation of sand about 30 meters high that changes shape due to the action of the Levantine wind. Along the beach are also the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Baelo Claudia, a place of tourist interest supported by a museum where sculptures, columns, capitals and other pieces are exhibited.
3. Zahara de los Atunes
This autonomous entity from Barbate has several beaches. The most important is Playa Zahara, very frequented in summer and famous for the spectacular sunsets that can be seen from there. The Zahara de los Atunes beach corridor extends for about 8 kilometers, up to Cabo de Plata, in the municipality of Tarifa. Other Zahareñas beaches are El Cañuelo, surrounded by dunes, and Playa de los Alemanes. On July 16, the Zahareños celebrate the Virgen del Carmen Evening, which includes a procession with the image to the beach. From these beaches you can enjoy a privileged view of the African continent.
4. Valdevaqueros beach
This Campo-Gibraltar beach in the municipality of Tarifa, extends from Punta de Valdevaqueros to Punta de La Peña. It has on its western side a dune in formation dating from the 1940s, when the soldiers of the Spanish army stationed in the area tried to prevent the sands from burying their barracks. It is frequented by many young people who go to have fun and enjoy beach entertainment, such as windsurfing and kitesurfing, with specialists who provide training services in the disciplines. In its extreme west is the estuary of the Río del Valle.
5. Cortadura Beach
This capital beach is next to the walls that defensively limited Cádiz since the 17th century. At 3,900 meters, it is the longest in the city. It is famous for the barbecues that take place on the Night of San Juan or Night of the Barbecues, in which tens of thousands of people from Cadiz and visitors gather. It is made of fine sand and has the Blue Flag, the quality certificate awarded by the European Foundation for Environmental Education. One sector of the beach is nudist.
6. Caños de Meca
Some of the beaches in this district of Barbate are preserved almost in their pure state, due to the scarce human impact. They are located between Cape Trafalgar and the cliff area of the Breña y Marismas del Barbate Natural Park. The beaches of the cape are surrounded by dunes and are of fine sand, although with reefs, while coves are formed towards the park, some of which are difficult to access due to the tide. The Trafalgar Lighthouse Beach is one of the most beautiful and cleanest in the region, although you have to be careful with the hangover.
7. El Palmar de Vejer
This small town in the La Janda region has a beach over 4 kilometers long, with fine golden sand. It is a clean, flat beach with dunes, which also has basic services, such as surveillance and a lifeguard post. When the waves are good, young people practice surfing and there are some schools with instructors in this sport. Another place of interest in El Palmar is its tower or watchtower, structures that were built in past centuries to have a high place from which to alert the population about dangers.
8. Hierbabuena Beach
This beach in Barbate is located within the territory that forms the Breña y Marismas del Barbate Natural Park. Its kilometer in length runs between the port of Barbate and an area of cliffs. From the golden sand beach you can enjoy a good view of the park's cliffs and stone pines. The locals call it Playa del Chorro due to the stream of water that runs down the cliffs, coming from a nearby spring. It is a very clean beach because it is relatively remote. A path parallel to the coast runs through the rugged area.
9. Punta Paloma
This enclave of intermediate waves in the Ensenada de Valdevaqueros is frequented by lovers of wind maritime sports, such as windsurfing and kitesurfing, being one of the favorite places for Andalusians and Spanish fans of these entertainments. The great dune that supports the beach changes profile as the wind blows, mainly from east to west. Punta Paloma is a good place to see the Moroccan coast and not far away there are small nudist beaches.
10. Beach of Santa María del Mar
This beach of golden sand in the city of Cádiz, located outside the city walls, offers a spectacular view of the historic center of the provincial capital. The part most used by bathers is delimited by two breakwater breakwaters, one to the east and the other to the west, which were built to reduce erosion. It is the continuation of the famous Playa de la Victoria, one of the best in Europe. It receives several names, such as Playa de Las Mujeres, La Playita and Playa de los Corrales. At one end of the beach there is a piece of the old city wall.
11. Los Lances beach
This beach in Tarragona, which is just over 7 kilometers long, stretches between Punta de La Peña and Punta de Tarifa. Located within the Playa de los Lances Natural Park and the Estrecho Natural Park, its status as a protected area has made it possible to counteract, although not entirely, the deterioration of its natural environment. It is a beach with strong and almost constant winds, which is why it is very visited by kitesurfers and windsurfers. From the beach, animal watchers can take dolphin and whale watching tours. Nearby is the wetland that forms at the mouth of the Jara and de la Vega rivers, with interesting flora and fauna.
12. Atlanterra Beach
Where Playa Zahara ends Playa de Atlanterra begins. Its clean turquoise blue waters and fine sand invite you to bathe or lie down to sunbathe, with Cape Trafalgar in the background. It is also known as Playa del Bunker, due to the defensive battery located on the border with Playa de los Alemanes. This structure of tourist interest dates from the Second World War, it was armed with a small cannon and was a nest of machine guns, it was built in fear of an Allied invasion of Spain. Playa de Atlanterra has accommodations in different categories, from luxury hotels to simpler and cheaper places.
13. Los Bateles Beach
This Cadiz beach on the Costa de la Luz in the municipality of Conil de la Frontera, almost invites you to listen to The Beatles because of the similarity of names, especially Here comes the Sun (Here comes the Sun), lying on the golden sand one fine summer day. It is almost 900 meters long and has a promenade. At one of its ends is the mouth of the Río Salado and it has relatively moderate waves. The area near the river is the most appropriate for the practice of wind sports. Its proximity to the center of the town makes it a very busy beach, so on high season days you have to take precautions.
14. Beach of the Germans
This cove is one and a half kilometers long and is located near Zahara de los Atunes, between the Cádiz headlands of Plata and García. It still has dunes, although they have been gradually disappearing due to human intervention. It is a beach of clean golden sand and clear waters due to the relatively remote location of the populated centers. Its name is due to the fact that some Germans settled in the place fleeing their country after the Second World War.
15. Victoria Beach
It is the best known beach in Cádiz, considered the best in Europe in urban settings. She is a consistent winner of the Blue Flag, the certification of the European Foundation for Environmental Education for beaches that meet conservation standards and service infrastructure, as well as other awards and distinctions. It stretches for three kilometers between the Muro de Cortadura and Playa de Santa María del Mar, separated from the city of Cádiz by a promenade. In its vicinity, it has accommodations, restaurants, bars and other establishments, in accordance with the demands of world tourism.
We hope you have enjoyed this beach walk along the beautiful coast of Cadiz. It only remains to ask you to leave us a brief comment with your impressions.
