The 6 Best Mojacar Beaches

First up is the most-frequented of Mojacar’s beaches. Playa de Mojacar is actually a string of smaller sandy beaches, with bright blue sea that’s calm and shallow for the most part. A road with ample parking runs right along the back of the beach, so you can pop down to any spot that takes your fancy. There’s a modern promenade to stroll along too, dotted with ice-cream stands and children’s playparks. From Mojacar village – an almost painfully photogenic collection of white buildings adorned with tumbling flowers and colourful doors and windows – your access point is the Parque Comercial, where you can buy everything from top-up sun cream to snacks, inflatables and a spare swimsuit. Some of the most popular activities here – besides swimming, sunbathing and sampling the fresh-from-the-ocean fish – are sea kayaking, boat tours, paddleboarding and taking scuba diving trips to the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. There are multiple dive sites and courses for all levels, from beginners to those looking to get their next qualification. Divers frequently spot coral, colourful fish, eels, crabs and even octopus.

Overlooked by the Mojacar lighthouse and the Marina Golf Club, this Mojacar beach is a mixture of sand, shingles and small stones, with great waves for splashing around in if the wind is blowing in the right direction. Playa Marina de la Torre is a Blue Flag beach, rated for swimming, sunbathing and water sports such as kayaking, sailing, banana boating and wakeboarding. At one end of the beach is a nature reserve where the fresh water from the river delta flows down to meet the sea, and all along the back of the stretch you’ll find the traditional blue-and-white-striped chiringuitos (snack bars and restaurants) for refreshments. It’s the epitome of the traditional Spanish seaside.

With its soft, golden sand and sheltered sea, Playa Piedra Villazar is undoubtedly one of the top Mojacar beaches and coves. Easily accessible from the major accommodation spots, it offers ample parking, a bus stop and good access for those with disabilities. Take a stroll along the gorgeous promenade lined with bougainvillea and palms and wander down the boardwalk to the Blue Flag beach. In the centre, with a phenomenal view of the idyllic surrounds, Samoa Surf is a beach bar and equipment rental shop. Tuck into hearty paella or fresh fish, or get active with their canoes, kayaks, pedalos and paddleboards. Just over the headland you’ll also find Playa Cueva del Lobo, or Lance Nuevo. You can easily stroll along the promenade between the two beaches and pick your favourite. The beach at Lance Nuevo is simple and peaceful, with just a foot shower and lounger rental for amenities. It’s sandy with some rocks, offering sheltered, shallow swimming. You’ll have your pick of eateries on the strip behind the promenade, just steps away, with everything from sports bars to tapas and pizzerias, plus the Ankara Beach Terrace just off the prom, which boasts the best view of the cove.

These playas are for the wild souls. While many of the other Mojacar beaches are perfect for families with young children, or those looking to easily stroll from their accommodation to the shoreline, these two remote spots require a bit more planning and an adventurous spirit. Sombrerico is the first of the two as you drive southwest out of town. It’s a very natural beach, formed from volcanic rock and red-and-black sand and bookended by beautiful cliffs. People come here in their campervans to windsurf or kite-surf, and it’s popular with naturists too. It’s also a fabulous spot if you fancy a walk amid some dramatic scenery. Be sure to pack everything you need for the day though, because facilities are minimal to non-existent. From here, you can also take a bracing and steep walk up to the Torre del Pirulico to get a phenomenal view out to sea and along the coast. Cala Bordenares is a nature reserve accessible down unmade roads by car or on foot. Its remote location makes it a peaceful spot, drawing both hikers and naturists. It’s a wide cove of sand, volcanic rock formations, and bluest-blue sea – not a beach restaurant in sight.

Set amid a dramatic, arid landscape that looks like the backdrop for a Wild West movie, Playa de los Muertos is a white, sandy stretch with crystalline waters and an unfussy, uncrowded atmosphere. It’s only accessible via an approximately ten-minute walk on a hilly path in Cabo de Gata, but don’t be put off – this is a great adventure for those seeking a more natural beach, even for families with adventurous kids. You can park on the road near the footpath, so the walk itself is fairly straightforward, but once on the beach there are no facilities. Be sure to pack all your own food and water, plenty of sun cream, and possibly some snorkelling gear or goggles to make the most of experiencing the pristine sea and its colourful inhabitants. Of course, the fact that it’s not a drive-up beach means you’ll find it peaceful, with plenty of space to stretch out and enjoy the ambience and views. Though it can be wild and windy at times, it’s often plenty calm enough to swim, making it popular for bodyboarding as well as just stretching out and enjoying the sun.

The nearest settlement to Playa de los Muertos is Agua Amarga, a gorgeous, whitewashed village that has the sleepy, unspoilt atmosphere of the Spain of yesteryear. There’s plenty of accommodation and small, unfussy restaurants here, either with a lovely sunset view of the beach, or tucked down quiet, pedestrianised alleys with a cosy ambience. Here, you can wander the plant-lined streets from your accommodation until your quaint footpath leads you right to the grey-sand beach. Agua Amarga brings together what people like about modern beach facilities with the old-fashioned simplicity of beach life. This means great accessibility for those with disabilities and some top-rated beach restaurants serving fresh fish, but also people launching their own kayaks instead of renting, and lazing around on towels and beach mats rather than hiring sun loungers. It has the kind of calm and peaceful atmosphere that’s instantly relaxing, making it perfect for families, couples and solo travellers alike.