Essential during an Andalucian summer is access to water! Somewhere to cool off, sit beside, paddle in or just to look at. If our beautiful plunge pool is not enough for you then here’s our Top 5 favourite beaches and places for wild swimming, all about an hour from Almohalla 51, with top tips on where to eat too.
Guadalteba Lakes (40 minutes)
Where to start? Crystal clear water stretching in front of you. Wooded picnic areas and sandy beaches. Water sports available including kyaking, paddle boarding and pedalos (don’t miss the ones with the big slide). These lakes are an absolute favourite and are a really easy and beautiful drive from Almohalla 51. They’re also close to the El Choro gorge – now famous for El Caminito del rey.
Best place to eat: Take a picnic and sit by the water’s edge or head up to El Mirador restaurant with its fabulous views
Playamar (45 minutes)
If we mention these beaches are part of Torremolinos you might dismiss them if you’ve pre-conceived ideas about that infamous destination, but don’t! A long, clean sandy Spanish beach awaits, with plenty of places to hire beds and shades for the day (about €14 for two) plus plenty of parking and people watching. The traditional chiringuitos (beach restaurants) are often full of Spaniards and offer great seafood.
Best place to eat: We really like Los Manueles for traditional plates of fried fish or paella, but there are also more modern places like Nuevo & Sur (above) too.
Iznajar Lakes (30 minutes)
More stark and strking than the lakes at Guadalteba, the approach to these lakes is stunning, with the ancient hilltop village perched high on the cliffside overlooking the lakes. There’s a small beach área with a beach bar and in the summer you can take a boat tour around the lakes including sunset drinks and tapas – https://www.andalucianlaketours.com.
And thanks to our friend Marcel from Sunset Country Properties for his fab photo of Iznajar.
Best place to eat: Other than the beach bar there’s also Venta Casa Juani which, whilst not right on the lake, has great views out over it and offers a great menu del dia.
Cantarriján close to Nerja (1 hour 20)
Slightly further but in our view completely worth the journey. Drive along the Oceanside motorway before turning off just past Nerja and decending to a quiet, spotless beach. In the high season there’s a shuttle bus down to the beach but you can walk it. The beach has some beds but not masses as this is more about natural beauty and is also part clothing optional. The water here is just stunning.
Best place to eat: There are two chiringuitos on the beach, including La Barca which serves great seafood. Best to book a table on a busy day.
Embalse de los Bermejales (1 hour)
Combine a vist to these lakes with a trip to Alhama de Granada, one of our favourite little towns and maybe taking in the little Dolmen close to the lake. It’s another spot with crystal clear water and not to many people. There’s a small campsite, which acts as a good landmark when planning your visit.
Best place to eat: There’s a beach bar next to the campsite in the summer.
But remember, these are just five great beaches and wild swimming suggestions for Andalucia. The coast is incredibly easy to reach from Almohalla 51 and we’ve years of visiting some beautiful, small and less crowded beaches near Malaga. Just ask!
