Want to discover Cabo de Gata Natural Park? Choose Playa de los Genoveses.
With its wide, crescent-shaped bay, rolling dunes, golden sand and total absence of buildings, it perfectly embodies the wild, unspoilt spirit of this volcanic region of southern Spain. It will appeal to families, hikers and leisure swimmers alike.
In this article, you’ll find our photos and tips for making the most of your visit to Playa de los Genovenes in Andalucia.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Is Playa de los Genovenes worth it?
Absolutely! Even in winter, we loved Playa de los Genoveses!
There’s no doubt that the panorama will charm you, with its small dunes, Mediterranean vegetation and the characteristic rounded hills of Cabo de Gata as a backdrop. Here, the natural beauty of the place is not disturbed by any infrastructure. It’s the perfect place for a relaxing day…
Beach type: sandy, supervised…
Sand or no sand?
The beach is mainly sandy
Swimming conditions and supervision
Playa de los Genovenes is unsupervised, and several signs on site warn of strong currents and rip currents (baïnes). Swimming is therefore possible, but must be approached with great caution, especially in windy or swelly conditions. If there’s a current, it’s advisable to swim parallel to the beach to get off. The lack of supervision and the wild nature of the site mean that you need to be independent and vigilant, especially with children or if you’re not an experienced swimmer.
Installations
Playa de los Genoveses has no infrastructure: no toilets, showers or restaurants. It’s a 100% natural beach. So it’s essential to bring water, food, sunscreen and an umbrella. Don’t forget to take your garbage with you, as there’s no cleaning service on site.
Note only the charming little water mill on the beach!
FUN in Andalucia: activities
- Cooking course in Sevilla
- Canyoning from the Costa del Sol
- Caminito del Rey guided hike
Access to Playa de los Genovenes in Cabo de Gata
Where to find Playa de los Genovenes
- 2km southwest of San José village,
- In the Cabo de Gata-Níjar natural park,
- 1 hour’s drive fromAlmería
Here’s a map of the best beaches in Andalucia:
Access by car and parking
Access is via a dirt track (but more rolling than the one leading to Mónsul). In high season, access is regulated: it’s best to arrive early in the morning (before 10am) to be able to park. Otherwise, a shuttle service from San José is available in summer to limit the influx of cars into the park.
RENT A CAR IN Andalucia
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a compact car, as some villages have very narrow streets!
- Think ofcomprehensive insurance for the same reason
- Book early for choice.
Access from the parking lot
From the parking lot, it’s about a 300m walk along a flat, well-marked dirt path to the beach.
Useful information
Dog
We didn’t see any signs regarding dog access to the beach.
Reduced mobility access
There are no special facilities for people with reduced mobility, and many parts of the beach are stony.
With children
There are no special facilities for children, but there’s no doubt they’ll love the wild setting and the nearby walks. On the other hand, in the absence of surveillance, you must not relax your vigilance.
Naturism
It is not possible to practice naturism on this beach.
Eating out
No on-site catering. Bring a picnic and plenty of water.
The village of San José, a 12-minute drive away, offers dining options once your day is done.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Andalusia
Inspiration
Practice
