Whitewashed houses next to cliffs, landscapes dotted with prickly pears, pitas or pine forests and turquoise waters of an impossible blue capable of hosting an impressive seabed. Rustic environments where nature nests in its purest state. Typical of destinations such as the Cyclades or the Balearic Islands, these are, however, found in Andalusia in the form of coves, picturesque coastal villages and unspoiled beaches.
The vast Andalusian coastline hides real treasures, still free from the saturation of bathers. These are 8 of the most beautiful coves of Andalusia that have nothing to envy to other paradises promised by movies and travel magazines. By the way, and so that staying overnight in summer does not affect your savings, these are some of the best campsites in the south, seductive accommodations where you will not have to give up comfort.
1. San Pedro Cove (Cabo de Gata, Almeria)
Almeria can boast an amazing coastline, bathed by turquoise waters and an exciting seabed. The Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Níjar agglutinates a good part of these jewels. The Cala de San Pedro is one of them. It is made up of 250 meters long, a very fine sand with rocky areas, a clear sea ideal for diving.
The environment is quite a contrast: semi-desert landscapes to reach this paradisiacal redoubt and once conquered the sea, the subtropical orchard that characterizes these beaches. To reach it you have to take a path of about 4 kilometers from Las Negras or take the boat from the town.
2. Cañuelo Cove (Nerja)
The Natural Park of the Cliffs of Maro-Cerro Gordo is home to one of the most beautiful coves in Andalusia. It is located a few meters from the cove of La Doncella, another Mediterranean jewel although wider than this one. 400 meters of dark sand and gravel that the sea is responsible for bathing with vigor.
Among its advantages, compared to other more inhospitable coves, it has two picturesque beach bars where you can recharge your batteries.
A fact of interest to the reader: in summer the access by car is usually closed. So, you can access it walking about 1.5 kilometers, get off on the shuttle bus or, for the lucky ones, anchor the boat in the vicinity.
3. Barronal Cove (Níjar, Almería)
The Natural Park of Cabo de Gata is cinematographic, whether you go to its well-known beaches or embark to explore such sensational coves as this one. A landscape sprinkled by the native fauna, its Posidonia plains and rich marine nature.
The beaches of Mónsul and Genoveses surround this cove of 800 meters long. You can access it walking a path of one kilometer from the ‘Campillo del Genoveses’.
4. Roche Coves (Conil de la Frontera, Cádiz)
Cadiz reserves some of the best beaches in Andalusia and even, we venture to say, in the whole country. Despite its lively summer life, for some vacationers the Levante wind implies a counter that its coves can often counteract.
In this respect, the Calas de Roche are the ideal destination, a coastal paradise of reddish tones sheltered from the wind. This golden sandy beach bathed by translucent waters will be one of your favorite scenarios if you have not yet visited.
In addition, very close to this cove you will find two gastronomic meccas. El cuartel del mar, one of the most emblematic beach bars in Spain or Alevante, the Michelin star that houses the Gran Meliá Novo Sancti Petri, in Chiclana de la Frontera.
5. Enmedio Cove (Agua Amarga, Almeria)
The white rock walls in the Cala de Enmedio sentence an unparalleled spot. Cabo de Gata once again embraces a unique corner for those seeking pure nature. 130 meters long where fossilized dunes, rock formations and small pools of water meander.
To find this gift for the senses you have to take one of the irregular paths that surround it, either from Agua Amarga or taking the path from the Cala del Plomo.
6. Cala del Aceite (Conil de la Frontera, Cádiz)
This cove of calm waters, about 6 kilometers from Conil, looks like an aquatic refuge in contrast to the popular beaches of the neighboring towns. Although it is 250 meters long, it is tucked between cliffs. An environment of great scenic beauty dotted by some shy dunes that, beware, has a beach bar.
7. Pino Cove (Nerja, Malaga)
Sheltered by the cliffs, the cove of Pino (which, in practice are two separated by rocks) is an oasis just 6 kilometers from Nerja. The bather can park next to the N-340 and descend about 100 meters to find this beach with crystal clear waters where you will find a haven of peace.
8. Sombrerico Cove (Mojájar – Carboneras, Almería)
Mojácar dresses in white with its array of fiestas, beach bars and seaside restaurants. Beyond this tourist artifact are hidden some unspoiled treasures. We are talking about the Sombrerico cove. Next to the castle of Playa Macenas there is a parking lot and a path that leads to this little-traveled redoubt. On the way visitors will come across the Pirulico Tower and the beach of Bordenares.
Leaving behind these spaces and its dirt road between cliffs, one finally reaches one of the best coves in Andalusia, for its undeniable beauty and tranquility. It is named for the huge stone that governs the environment and reminiscent of this complement.
9. Peñón Cortado: one of the most secluded coves in Andalusia.
Between crevices and cavities emerges Peñón Cortado, an inhospitable cove that you can access by descending from the parking lot next to the APL-116 or swimming from a boat.
If you leave your car in the parking lot you will have to overcome about 500 meters to the coast.
This small cove is surrounded by steep cliffs and extraordinary vegetation. You will find it between Vilaricos and El Calón and it is a formidable destination for this summer.