playa de los muertos

DISCOVER PLAYA DE LOS MUERTOS SPAIN: YOUR TOP TRAVEL GUIDE!

DISCOVER PLAYA DE LOS MUERTOS SPAIN: YOUR TOP TRAVEL GUIDE!

Discover Playa de los Muertos Spain: Beach with crystal clear waters, Costa Almeria, The Mediterranean
Discover Playa de los Muertos Spain: Beach with crystal clear waters, Costa Almeria, The Mediterranean

INTRODUCTION: DISCOVER PLAYA DE LOS MUERTOS SPAIN

Welcome to Playa de los Muertos Spain, the Costa Almeria’s hidden paradise known for its breathtaking beauty and captivating charm! Located in Cabo de Gata Nature Park near Carboneras, this stunning beach is a treasure trove for those seeking an idyllic escape. From its crystal-clear waters to its dramatic cliffs, Playa de los Muertos is an excellent coastal experience. Did you know it’s often ranked among the top beaches in Spain? After visiting this beach myself, I wholeheartedly agree. As someone who has lived in the area for over a decade, I’m happy to share my inside tips and knowledge of this beautiful destination. Let’s dive in and find out what makes this beach on the Mediterranean so special!

(To find out more about this region see our post on the Costa Almeria, our Guide to the Mediterranean Coast of Spain, and our Guide to The Mediterranean Coast Lifestyle and Travel )

Discover Playa de los Muertos Spain: Pebbly Golden Sand, Costa Almeria, The Mediterranean
Discover Playa de los Muertos Spain: Pebbly Golden Sand, Costa Almeria, The Mediterranean

WHAT IS THERE TO DISCOVER IN PLAYA DE LOS MUERTOS?

With its golden white sands, turquoise waters and rocky cliffs, this beach is often ranked as one of the best beaches in Spain and Europe in various reviews in newspapers, magazines and online sites. In 2017, the Spanish newspaper ’20 Minutos’ rated this beach as the most beautiful in Spain. In 2019, The Guardian ranked it among Europe’s top 40 remarkable beaches. Our visit confirmed its beauty, though reaching it can be a bit challenging (see note below). The breathtaking scenery and crystal-clear waters make it truly stunning.

Discover Playa de los Muertos Spain: Lookout over the beach (upper left) with Carboneras in the distance.
Discover Playa de los Muertos Spain: Lookout over the beach (upper left) with Carboneras in the distance.

How to Find the Beach (Getting there is part of the experience)

Head south from Carboneras (see our related post) on highway AL-5106 about 3.5km until you reach the parking area which is located directly beside the road, at the top of the cliff overlooking the beach. Parking is EURO 6/day. Here you’ll find a small kiosk where you can stock up on snacks and drinks. There are no facilities at the beach so remember to pack food, plenty of water and drinks, sunscreen, and a camera for your visit. 

From the parking lot you have to hike down a “goat trail” that is an adventure in its own right. It’s about 700m total distance with a drop in elevation of about 80m. This makes it a real challenge when you consider that you have to carry your parasol, blanket, and cooler (in fact everything you think you’ll need at the beach) down this rocky trail. Let’s just say that by the time you reach the bottom, you’ll be ready for a swim. Try not to forget anything because it’s a long way back up! From the top of the hill, you can see the entire path to the beach and when we made the hike down, there was a trail of people the whole length of this trail. It was like watching an army of ants heading to the coast.

Discover Playa de los Muertos Spain: People hiking down to the beach which you can see far in the distance
Discover Playa de los Muertos Spain: People hiking down to the beach which you can see far in the distance

Note: The beach is only accessible on foot and it is a challenging walk. This route is not suitable for wheelchairs and is not advisable for elderly individuals. During the high season, there is a boat ferry service that will take people from the marina to the beach which might be an option to consider for those who can’t make the trek down the trail. 

Things to Do at Playa de los Muertos

Once you reach the beach you can just lay down and relax, enjoy the scenery, and get a little bit of swimming in. This is truly a beautiful place with steep cliffs all around, an excellent beach, and the Mediterranean as far as the eye can see. 

Note: Due to a steep drop-off along the shoreline, it’s important for children to be supervised by an adult. During windy days, windy conditions can create strong waves, making swimming hazardous. 

Discover Playa de los Muertos Spain: Rocky Cliffs overlooking the Beach, Costa Almeria, The Mediterranean
Discover Playa de los Muertos Spain: Rocky Cliffs overlooking the Beach, Costa Almeria, The Mediterranean
Snorkeling 

Due to the access issue, lugging sporting equipment will be a challenge and is not recommended. Snorkeling gear however is a great “easy to transport” option. During calm conditions, this is an excellent place to snorkel. 

The underwater landscapes, with rock formations and coral pockets, provide an interesting place to explore. From the beach, you have easy access into the water from where you can reach the top snorkeling spots. The beach area is good for various skill levels, offering a chance for everyone to enjoy the underwater marine life. 

Hiking Trails With Scenic Views

From the beach, you have access to some great coastal trails. The trails provide access to some of the sister beaches to Playa de los Muertos: La Cala de Enmedio, Playa del Mónsul or Playazo de Rodalquilar . For a real challenge, you can take the trail that leads up to the old lookout tower, Torreon de Mesa Roldan, which is about 2km away and at about 200m elevation. From this point, you have an incredible view of the entire area, the town of Carboneras and the Mediterranean.

Discover Playa de los Muertos Spain:  Torreon de Mesa Roldan, Costa Almeria, The Mediterranean
Discover Playa de los Muertos Spain: Torreon de Mesa Roldan, Costa Almeria, The Mediterranean

Best Time to Visit and Travel Tips

If you are planning on swimming then the summer is the best time to visit with ideal swimming conditions. We were there at the end of September on a sunny day and the conditions were perfect.

Peak Tourist Season

The peak tourist season in Carboneras is during July and August when most regions of Northern Europe have their school breaks. With everybody heading to the Mediterranean coast at the same time, it does get busy so be prepared, plan ahead, and book accommodations, rental cars, plane tickets, and tours well in advance.

Tip: If you are looking for a less hectic experience, you might want to consider traveling in May/June or in Sept/October. The weather is still exceptionally nice and you can escape the large crowds.  

Transportation options

  • Flying: Almeria Airport is located just outside the city center of Almeria (about 50km away). The next nearest options are Murcia Airport (about 150km away), Malaga Airport ( about 270km away), and Alicante Airport (about 230km away)
  • Driving: You can reach this region by using the A-7 highway that runs east towards Murcia and west towards Malaga. Once you reach Carboneras you can reach the beach by taking the regional road AL-5106.
  • Train: The nearest train station is in Almeria. From Almeria, you can reach Madrid by train in about 6 hours.

Accommodations

The tourist infrastructure in Carboneras is well developed so there is no shortage of accommodations in the area. These range from luxurious beachfront resorts to budget-friendly youth hostels and guesthouses. However, as mentioned above, summer is the busiest time in the area so I recommend that you book well in advance. Your best bet is to check online for available places and book as soon as you can. Check out the link further below for places available right now.

Discover Playa de los Muertos Spain: Accomodations can be found in nearby Carboneras
Discover Playa de los Muertos Spain: Accomodations can be found in nearby Carboneras

FINAL THOUGHTS: DISCOVER PLAYA DE LOS MUERTOS SPAIN

In summary, Playa de los Muertos, Spain, is a must-see destination. During the summer, an ideal beach destination. The rest of the year, a scenic place to visit and explore. All in all, an excellent day trip destination!

“Don’t Just Dream It! Do it!”

How about experiencing the Costa Almeria and the Mediterranean firsthand? Use the map below to inspire you and plan your next Mediterranean vacation right now!

Me at Playa de los Muertos
Me at Playa de los Muertos
Reg Auge

Reg holds an MBA, is a former Captain in the Canadian military and has worked as a consultant in industry for over 20 years. From his home in Spain, he has spent the last 10 years traveling throughout the Mediterranean, exploring the various countries and regions. He also regularly runs, windsurfs, and kite surfs, maintaining a healthy and active way of life. Captivated by this Mediterranean lifestyle, he began a Blog last year to inspire like-minded souls to learn about and discover this unique region for themselves.

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