Tired of Tourists In Your Favourite Coastal Spots? Here Are The Best Hidden Beaches And Coves In Andalusia

The southern Spanish region of Andalusia is a beautiful coastal region that attracts tourists thanks to its year-round good weather, stunning beaches, and well organised infrastructure.

During the summer months Andalusia can be incredibly hot. In recent years temperatures have reached highs of over 40C during the hottest months of July and August. As these are also the months of the summer holidays, this also tends to be the period where tourism numbers are at their highest and the region is at its busiest.

The capital of Andalusia is Seville and this city attracts visitors all year-round, but during the summer months it is referred to as Spain’s frying pan thanks to its sizzling temperatures. The equally popular city of Cordoba is just as relentlessly hot.

For this reason many locals and visitors head straight to the beach during the summer months. And there’s no better place to want to head to the coast: Andalusia boasts a 1000km long coastline full of beautiful beaches and clear blue sea. But with locals and tourists looking for somewhere to relax and cool down, many of these beaches can become uncomfortably crowded.

Spanish beaches are famous for their crowds and for the hustle and bustle they bring. You’ll find sun loungers, bars and cafes and enjoy water sports in some of these hot spots. But what if you want a quieter beach without the crowds? Somewhere peaceful to relax and unwind where you can hear yourself think?

Andalusia’s quietest beaches don’t have the same amenities that you will find in its busiest spots. But these beaches have a more rugged feel and embrace their natural beauty. Here are some of our favourite spots to explore that are fairly unknown and much less crowded:

Playa de Doñana (Huelva)

This beach is notable because it is the longest beach in Spain. At 28km long there is space for everyone! This beach is located in Huelva's Doñana National Park. This means you won’t find any amenities here but you will be surrounded by natural beauty.

Cala de Cabo Roche, Conil (Cádiz)

There are several small yellow-sand coves in this area. This one is fairly difficult to access as it is surrounded by vegetation and steep cliffs. This means that it is considered off the beaten track for most tourists and is a quiet beach even during the height of the summer season.

Playa de Cantarriján, Almuñecar (Granada)

This beach is unique because it’s a nudist beach (although clothed beachgoers are also welcome). This beach is easier to access than some others on this list as it can be accessed by bus or car. It can get busy during the weekends but is much quieter during the week.

Playa de La Rijana, Gualchos (Granada)

Not a traditional white sand beach, instead this stretch boasts a mix of sand and pebbles. It can get busy at weekends during the summer but it is a perfect beach for families thanks to its dramatic wall of interesting rock formations which provide protection from the wind and currents.

 Playa de El Cañuelo, Tarifa (Cádiz)

This is a beautiful stretch of beach that is hidden behind a pinetree forest. But visitor numbers to this beach are kept low because it can only be accessed on foot. That means that you will have to walk through the forest to reach the beach, which is a deterrent to many tourists.

 Playa del Barronal, Cabo Gata-Níjar (Almería)

Unlike Playa de El Cañuelo this beach can be accessed by road, but the road can be very arduous and bumpy. This acts as a deterrent, particularly to tourists without access to their own vehicle. But the beach is worth traveling for thanks to its spectacular lava formations.

 Playa de Nueva Umbría, Lepe (Huelva)

This is the second beach on this list located in a protected natural park. This means that beach bars, amenities and other tourist attractions aren’t allowed. Helping to ensure the dunes and vegetation of this beach remain relatively undisturbed.

 Playa de la Alberquilla, Nerja (Málaga)

Malaga is a popular location with crowded beaches, but this nudist beach located in a natural park has few visitors despite its crystal clear waters. This is a rock beach, rather than the many sand beaches nearby.

Cala de Enmedio, Cabo de Gata-Níjar (Almería)

This is one of the busiest beaches on this list in the summer but it is quiet if you visit during the lower seasons. Otherwordly fossilised cliffs and rock formations surround this fantastic but small beach.

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