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The summer is almost upon us and as the weather heats up, many of us will be wanting to head to a beach to cool down, but which one to choose?
With almost 8,000 kilometres of coastline, Spain has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to picturesque beaches to watch the sun set or rise, white sands and crystal clear waters, virgin coves, protected havens for wildlife and perfect waves for surfing.
The pride and joy of Region of Murcia, according to National Geographic, is Playa La Carolina in Águilas, which is in an area known as ‘Cuatro Calas’ (four coves) by the border with Almería province.
Along with Calarreona, Higuerica and Cala Cerrada (aka Playa de los Cocedores), this area’s landscape is protected as part of the EU Natural 2000 network, due to the importance of its biodiversity. With abundant fine sand, Playa Carolina is the most accessible of these four beaches.
Not too far south in Almería, the list also urges beach lovers to visit Playa los Genoveses in Níjar, which lies within the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. Its unique beauty has led many filmmakers to use it as a location, and you will feel like a movie star as you bathe in the waters and bask on the fine, golden sand surrounded by the distinctive prickly pear and agave plants, the magazine assures.
To the north, in Alicante province, they have selected Cala Granadella in Jávea and Tabarca island.
The former has been picked as the best beach in Spain several times and they recommend an early morning walk there, surrounded by the mountains and listening to the lapping of the waves and the crunch of the shingle beneath your feet.
Meanwhile, Playa de Tabarca can be reached by ferry from Santa Pola, Alicante or Torrevieja. The beach may be naturally stony but the island is surrounded by an extensive meadow of Posidonia oceanica seagrass, which has been a marine reserve since 1986 and is like submerging yourself in spectacular other world.
Although the coastline of Murcia may be much shorter than its neighbours, these 250 kilometres have more than their fair share of beauty spots, as well as the warmest waters of the Spanish Mediterranean, hence why it is known as the Costa Cálida (warm coast).
Aside from Playa Carolina, other highlights include Calnegre in Lorca, one of the region’s most pristine beaches and part of the Sierra de la Almenara, las Moreras y Cabo Cope Natural Park.
Likewise, Cartagena’s Playa de Calblanque, inside the Regional Park of the same name, is similarly unspoiled, surrounded by epic, beautiful landscapes and clear blue water.
Bolnuevo in Mazarrón is unique for its picturesque rock formations, which have been eroded by wind and water to form magical figures which seem like they belong on an alien world. Known as ‘La Ciudad Encantada’ (the enchanted city) or ‘Las Gredas’ (sandy clay figures), and declared a Natural Monument of the region in 2019, they are encrusted with fossils from the Pliocene period 5.3 million years ago, when the Strait of Gibraltar was formed and the small salt lake that was the Mediterranean at the time reflooded and brought the coastline to areas that used to be far inland.
Also in Mazarrón, Playa de Percheles is very small but one of the region’s most beautiful beaches. With grey, fine sand and between two rock formations, it is pristine and was apparently named after a traditional fishing technique.
Back in Águilas, El Hornillo is urban and therefore easy to reach by car or train and open to the easterly waves but sheltered by the small islet of Fraile. It has an old concrete and rock platform which used to be a jetty for loading boats with minerals form the Sierra de los Filabres, and the beach has toilets, showers and other services, but not full disabled access.
More touristy and semi-urban but with salt lakes and sand dunes nearby, Playa Paraíso in La Manga del Mar Menor, Cartagena, has various services to help enjoy the simple pleasures of a day on the beach, so can get busy in the summer.
Another winner in Cartagena is Cala Cortina, which is one of the smallest in the area but one of the best in the region. Isolated from any built-up places and in a protected area, it still has a few services, including a picnic area, adapted toilets and litter bins, as well as golden sand and calm, clear water, so can also get busy in summer.
And finally, past the lighthouse in Cabo de Palos, also in Cartagena, is an area of cliffs and beaches, the last of which before Calblanque Natural Park is Cala Reona. Easy to reach and with good services, you can spend the whole day surrounded by slate mountains that tint the sand with black, are dotted with Mediterranean fan palms, and from which bathers jump into the crystal clear water.
Image: ITREM
