Nuestra Seņora del Carmen/ Playa Del Carmen - Barbate
Carmen Beach is a very accessible and safe popular family beach, extending from the fishing port of Barbate, passing River Barbate, the marshes until it finally merges with Playa Caņillos. This beach has all the services you would expect from a tourist town - lifeguards (summer only), toilets, showers, wooden pathways and disabled accessibility. The promenade (Paseo Maritime) runs parallel with the beach and has many beachfront restaurants, bars and cafes to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of this traditional Spanish town.
Hierbabuena Beach - Barbate
Just past the port of Barbate towards Caņos de Meca you will find Hierbabuena, a beach that offers a little of everything. Situated under the Breņa cliffs, which serve as protection from the west winds (poniente), sand dunes lead you into the pine forest of the natural park La Breņa. During the summer there is a beach bar and it also has a designated naturist area, for those who desire an all over tan. There is plenty of parking but ensure any valuables are hidden as the parking area is set in the dunes.
Playa Caņitos - Barbate
This 9KM sandy beach stretches from the marshes of River Barbate until it merges with the beach near Zahara Pajares, making it one of the longest in the area. It is a completely unspoilt natural beach, whose backdrop is the Sierra del Retin, with flatlands rich in pasture running parallel to the beach - on occasions you may see the famous retinta cattle grazing alongside you on the beach! Access is partially restricted due to the fact that it is next to the military zone.
Playa de Pajares - Barbate
Continuing on from Playa Caņitos, this also has the stunning backdrop of the Sierra del Retin, where it reaches to about 300 feet high. With its white sand and clean waters it is an ideal place for swimmers and windsurfers. To the far south the beach is interrupted by the river mouth of Zarzuela, which can be crossed by foot leading you into Playa de Zahara.
Playa de Zahara - Barbate
This 6 KM beach stretches from Zahara de Los Atunes to Cape Grace. To the southern end there is a hugh dune system and the foothills of the Sierra de la Plata. Here set in the mountains you will find the picturesque and spectacular Atlanterra, where the rich and famous have their holiday houses!! This beach has all the services you would expect, with ample parking and a wide variety of restaurants and bars to relax in.
Mangueta Beach - Barbate
To the left of El Palmar, you will find this unspoilt natural beach, set amongst the dunes. It is usually deserted except during the weekends and high season, making it an ideal spot for riding on the beach with one of the many local stables. Naturism is practised here. There are no services and access is difficult.
Zahora - Barbate
Zahora is a beautiful sandy beach north east of Cape Trafalgar. Although the sea can be dangerous here with strong undercurrents, situated in the heart of Cabo de Trafalgar, is Sajaromi Beach; at low tide lagoons are formed, creating an environment that is perfectly safe for children to swim or explore the rock pools - an ideal family beach. In summer watch the magnificent sunsets whilst relaxing in one of the many beachfront bars or chiringuitos. Access in the height of summer can be stressful due to it popularity!
La Zona Del Faro de Trafalgar
The beaches of Del Faro are possibly the most beautiful and wildest beaches in this area. However, you pay for their beauty with their hidden dangers. The sea is extremely deceiving with strong undercurrents and claims the lives of divers and swimmers every year. So extreme caution must be used if you wish to swim or take part in activities in these waters. There are no life guards or services and this season in some areas the council has actually issued 'no swimming' signs - highlighting how treacherous this coastline can be, for those who are not familiar with it.
Las Calitas
To the other side of Playa del Faro, you will find a rocky reef surrounding the lighthouse, creating small hidden beaches, which in summer are used as nudist beaches. In winter the area comes alive when the rain water and sea create lakes, in which you will find an abundance of wildlife and shorebirds.
Cala Del Varadero / Marisucia
Marisucia beach is also known as La Curva and is found beside the road to the lighthouse of Trafalgar. From here you have good views of Africa, Caņos and Zahara. However, the sand here is not as fine as the other beaches and in places rocky. This beach is ideal on the days when the wind comes from the west (poniente) as the sea is calm and transparent. However, when the Levante is blowing, the sea will throw onto the beach everything from seaweed, plastic bottles and fishing equipment. For this reason the beach has been given its name Marisucia, which translates to dirty sea. When Levante is blowing it is ideal for Kite Surfing
Playa Del Pirata
Pirata is a beautiful beach, situated in the heart of Los Caņos, taking its name from the Restaurant at its entrance. Probably one of the most family-orientated with its sandy beach, rock pools and fresh water springs that fall from the cliffs. All services are available here.
Los Castillejos
These are the small coves formed between Pirata Beach and the nudist beach. Quiet sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, the cliffs provide shelter and many are used by naturists foe sunbathing. They say that the mud from the walls of the cliffs is medicinal, with many people smearing it over their bodies. There have been problems here due to sewage being pumped directly into the sea but now this is under-control.
Nudista and Acantilados
Caņos is world renowned for hippies and naturists and this beach has been the main hub since the 60īs. It is a small sandy beach with clear water and rocky sections. The beach runs under cliffs and as you go into the cliffs you can enjoy the fantastic views of the caves and the waterfall. If you climb the cliffs you will find spectacular views especially at sunset.
