Cabo de Gata: the most beautiful beaches and coves in Almería

In short: The Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park is the driest and emptiest coast in Andalusia: volcanic rocks, desert hills and beaches with no buildings at all. The best known coves, Mónsul and Genoveses, are best reached in summer by bus from San José. There is hardly any shade or kiosks anywhere, so you bring everything yourself.

Which beaches are most worthwhile?

The coast roughly divides into two parts: the natural beaches southwest of San José and the coves in the north around Las Negras and Agua Amarga. You need at least one day for each.

• Playa de los Genoveses: a wide, flat bay with dunes. The water gets deep gently, so it is good with children.
• Playa de Mónsul: dark sand, a large dune and the lava rock in the middle of the beach that appears in several films.
• Playa de los Muertos: near Carboneras, light pebbles and very clear water. The descent is steep and stony, and the water gets deep quickly.
• Cala de San Pedro: only reachable on foot from Las Negras or by boat. No facilities, so pack water and food.
• Playa del Arco and El Playazo: quieter alternatives near Los Escullos and Rodalquilar, directly accessible by car.

How do you get to Mónsul and Genoveses in summer?

A gravel track leads from San José to both beaches. In the summer months, access is controlled because the car parks in the protected area are small. According to media reports, access by car then costs 6 € per vehicle (as of October 2026). This is not a beach fee but a charge for traffic management. If you walk, cycle or take the shuttle bus from San José, you do not pay it.

The exact dates of the scheme, the number of vehicles and the bus fare change from year to year. They are published before the season on the websites of the Junta de Andalucía and the municipality of Níjar. When the car parks are full, the track is closed.

When is the best time?

Almería is the driest corner of Spain. At the Almería Aeropuerto station, only around 200 mm of rain falls per year on average, with almost 3,000 hours of sunshine (AEMET, normal values 1981 to 2010). In August the average daily maximum is 31 degrees, in January just under 17 degrees.

For swimming, June and September are ideal: warm water, but far fewer people than in August. For hiking along the coast, spring and autumn are better. More on this in the article on the best time to visit Andalusia.

What else is there to see apart from beaches?

The park is small enough to combine the beach and an excursion in one day. Worth a visit:

• Faro de Cabo de Gata and Arrecife de las Sirenas: the lighthouse on the cape with the rock pinnacles in the water, best at sunset.
• Salinas de Cabo de Gata: salt lakes where flamingos are often found. Bring binoculars.
• Rodalquilar: disused gold mines in a volcanic valley.
• Mojácar: a white village on a hill, just north of the park.

If you have more time, combine the coast with the city and the Tabernas desert, see Almería sights.

Practical tips for the park

Without a car, you are very limited in Cabo de Gata, as buses run rarely. Most visitors come by rental car. Check beforehand whether your insurance covers gravel tracks.

• Sunshade and a hat: there is no shade on the natural beaches.
• At least 1.5 litres of water per person and food.
• Sturdy shoes for descents such as at Playa de los Muertos.
• Rubbish bags: you take your waste back with you.

If you like the area so much that you want to stay longer: the comparison Where in Spain? shows how Almería differs from the other coasts.

Frequently asked questions

As of October 2026. Opening hours, prices and entry rules change. Check them on the official websites before your visit.

Cover image: Jebulon · Wikimedia Commons · CC0