Almeria, in the south of Spain, is a port town bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Due to the warm climate, it’s very enjoyable to explore the many beaches found in and around the city.
They can be divided into urban beaches, just a short walk from the city center. As well as the beaches that lie within the vast nature park of Cabo de Gata, about 23 miles from the city. Read on for the best beaches in Almeria featuring fine sand and crystal clear water.
Urban Beaches: Best Beaches In Almeria
Playa El Zapillo
With a total coastline of nearly 20 miles that also includes de Cabo de Gata National Park, you can imagine that there are plenty of beaches in and near Almeria suitable for every taste and offers many activities.
If you don’t want to drive to enjoy a beach day during your stay in Almeria, the urban beaches are the most suitable.
Playa El Zapillo, located just a short walk from the center of town, is practically the ‘house beach’. It’s very popular with the locals and visitors, especially in the summer months. There’s no doubt this is one of the best beaches in Almeria!
The beach is narrow but approximately 2 miles long. It is bordered by Almeria’s lovely sea promenade, a favorite spot for the locals to take their usual morning and afternoon walks. The views over the Bay of Almeria and the port are incredible and even go as far as Cabo de Gata!
What is more, this is a blue flag beach with white sand and all facilities like loungers, showers, restrooms, and umbrellas. Numerous cafes and restaurants are located between the promenade and the beach.
A good one is Restaurante Heladeria Delfin Verde, directly on the promenade and best known for tapas and ice cream.
Great for: Families
Amenities: Loungers, showers, restrooms, promenade, plenty of cafes and restaurants
Parking: Cars are not necessary
Other Urban Beaches
El Zapillo is flanked on both sides by two other urban beaches: Playa San Miguel and Palmeral Beach. This is a 1640 ft long beach of fine, dark sand, ideal for swimming and bathing.
These two beaches plus the aforementioned tend to be rather crowded in the summer months because of their convenient location. Don’t forget that Almeria is a university city which adds a lively student population to the locals and tourists.
There are two other urban beaches a bit further away and therefore much less crowded.
One is Nueva Almeria, a new beach and district featuring individual houses rather than apartment blocks, new beach amenities, and nice views.
Some 5 miles away is Costacabana Beach, the least crowded of all the urban beaches. Contrary to the other urban beaches, Costacabana fronts a residential area built in the 70s, has coarse sand, but the promenade runs along so you can exercise, walk, or run.
Worth mentioning is also Playa de las Almadrabillas, not so much because of the quality of the beach, but because the famous railway and English Pier run straight through it.
Looking for more things to do in Almeria? Check out our list of the Best Things To Do In Almeria.
Beaches of Cabo de Gata: Best Beaches Near Almeria
Cabo de Gata Nijar is an exceptional and large nature park. It’s of volcanic origin and defined by a rocky coastline on one hand and spectacular coves and sandy beaches on the other. Added to that are wildlife and a protected area for birds and some villages, plus a lighthouse and watch tower.
Beyond a doubt, the area is one of the most beautiful nature spots in Andalusia and houses some of the best beaches in Spain!
You do need a car to get there if you are staying in Almeria. Why not spend a night or two in one of the best hotels in the Nature Park: Hotel Spa Calagrande Cabo de Gata? The chic hotel is conveniently located within reach of the beaches in Cabo de Gata, and has a great restaurant and pool.
If that’s not an option also consider a boat tour from Almeria, this allows you to see the area’s many beaches with the convenience of a guide. You can book a boat tour here: Cabo de Gata Beach Tour by Boat.
Monsul Beach (San Jose)
This beach is one of the most famous of the Cabo de Gata Nature Park and is very popular with families with kids. This is mostly due to the fact that it has fine, white sand and totally slope-free access to the water so kids can easily frolic.
However, the beach features no facilities, you have to bring your own and it’s not easy to reach from the city. You need your car but there is parking near the beach.
The most interesting feature is a lava rock formation right in the middle of the shoreline. If you are a fan of Indiana Jones movies, you will discover several scenes shot on this beach. It may be a little bit of a trip from the city but it’s definitely worth it, this is one of the best beaches in Almeria!
Great for: Families with kids
Amenities: None
Parking: Near the beach
Playa de Los Genoveses Beach (San Jose)
San Jose is a small town, about 1.2 miles distant from the fabulous, 4 ft long beach of fine, golden sand.
Again, it’s not easy to reach the beach, you have to walk along a footpath that leads through lavender bushes and you have to bring your own things because there are neither streets nor houses. Although you can pick up supplies in San Jose before heading out.
Along the way, you have a great view of the bay, sand dunes, and of the Moron, a volcanic rock formation. Thanks to the incredible landscape is should come as no surprise that several movies were shot here, for example, The Wind and the Lion.
Great for: Families, good swimmers, fit people (because of the walk down to the beach)
Amenities: None
Parking: Near the beach
Aguadulce Beach (Roquetas de Mar)
Roquetas de Mar is a popular tourist destination, especially in the summer months. There are several beaches in the vicinity, some with pebbles, some with white sand, and some with dark sand. As you can see, there is something for everybody.
Aguadulce beach has dark sand which comes from the lava when volcanic activity was frequent in this region.
In contrast to the previous beach, this one has all facilities, a promenade, and these little, typically Spanish food huts, called chiringuitos where you can get drinks, snacks, and ice cream. This beach also has easy access for those with mobility issues.
Great for: Families, access for disabled people
Amenities: All amenities and plenty of beach huts selling snacks and drinks
Parking: Near the beach
Another Roquetas de Mar beach nearby and with equal facilities is Playa de las Salinas, named for the salt flats that in the past sustained the salt industry here.
Playa de Los Muertos Beach (Carbonera)
This is a 5250 ft long, curved, gravelly virgin beach, flanked by nearly black rocks. It has no facilities whatsoever but is very popular with scuba divers and naturalists. Access is only down a very steep footpath.
Be prepared for strong winds that can blow and take that into consideration if you engage in scuba diving. The wind can make it difficult to get out of the water but nonetheless, this is one of the prettiest beaches in Almeria!
Don’t be put off by the name, it doesn’t mean that this beach is dangerous, it refers to the corpses of ship-wrecked seamen that were occasionally washed up on shore here.
Great for: Scuba divers, strong swimmers, naturalists
Amenities: None
Parking: Yes
Cabo de Gato nature park has so many incredible beaches, while the above are some of our favorites also consider Cala de Enmedio or Cala del Plomo!
I hope you liked our list of Almeria beaches and will try one or the other out on your next visit. The weather is always warm and it doesn’t rain very often, so you can visit any time of year.
Consider avoiding July and August which can be very hot and crowded. My personal favorite time of the year is fall.
No matter when you visit Almeria beaches are some of the best in Spain and something you’re sure to enjoy! Which will you visit first?