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Baywatch Guide to the best beaches from Tarifa to Cadiz.
Spain has over 5000 miles of coastline with the Costa de la Luz having the most underdeveloped and unspoiled sandy beaches. Many of the Costa de la Luz beaches have the prestigious Blue Flag award; this award has strict awarding criteria for beach quality regarding environmental information and management, water quality, safety and services. Look out for the Blue Flag beaches below with this symbol (see pictuure, right).
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TARIFA AREA
Tarifa has 8 beaches and is the meeting point between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean, made popular as a wind surfing location. Playa Los lances is the longest beach in Andalusia set on the Atlantic, in the heart of Tarifa town with long golden sands ideal for families, sunbathing and water sports; it also has excellent facilities. Playa Valdevaqueros is 8 km from Tarifa town and is an idea chill out location, and popular among water sport enthusiasts.
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Playa Los Lances, Tarifa
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Playa Bolonia is 20 km from Tarifa voted one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain due to its location in a small cove, with golden sands that have been blown up into the peninsula to form large sand dunes overlooked by Baelo Claudia, the ruins of a first century Roman town.
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Playa Bolonia, Tarifa
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BARBATE AREA
Barbate which is synonymous with tuna fishing in the region, also has some of the less frequented beaches, thus making them ideal destinations in the summer months. Los Caños de Meca, 10 km from Barbate town is one of such beaches favoured by Spanish holiday makers for its rocky coves and long golden sands. This beach has one of the most laid back atmospheres and the more secluded cove areas are used for naturist bathing. Playa Cañillos situated between Barbate and Zahara de los Atunes is an unspoiled virgin beach with minimal facilities. However, if you’re looking for tranquility away from the crowds this is an ideal location.
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Playa Cañillos, Barbate
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Playa Zahara de los Atunes is located in the small village of Zahara de los Atunes, which is known for being a hospitable and friendly spot with good tapas. The 1.6 km long beach has great facilities and is one of the more popular beaches in the area. The beach bars are open in the evening and is a great location to watch the sunset.
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Playa Zahara de los Atunes, Barbate
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VEJER DE LA FRONTERA AREA
El Palmar beach is 9km from the historic Moorish white town of Vejer de la Frontera. El Palmar has long fine golden sands and transparent waters surrounded by a natural environment, ideal for sunbathing, swimming, walking and relaxing. It is also a popular surf spot when the weather permits. Located close to the beach are restaurants and bars and in the summer months, small market stalls. At the end of the beach is the Torre Nueva used in the 17th and 18th century to protect the coast from pirates and invaders.
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 El Parmar, Vejer de la Frontera |
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CONIL DE LA FRONTERA AREA
Conil de la Frontera is a wide bay of brilliant golden sand stretching for 14 km, backed by large cliffs to the north and small isolated coves. The main beach in town is Playa de Los Bateles , a long sandy beach, ideal for family days out, swimming and relaxing with good facilities and bars and restaurants nearby, it can be busy in summer months. Playa La Fontanilla and Fuente de Gallo are a continuation of Playa de los Bateles backed by large cliffs. In summer months these are less crowded and have adequate facilities. Further up the coast heading towards Roches there is a beach called Cala del Aceite, a secluded coved beach just off the road to the harbour, with a wide sandy beach. It has very little facilities and some people may find access difficult; however it is a beautiful spot even if just viewed from the cliffs above.
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Playa La Fontanilla, Conil de la Frontera
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| The Calas de Roche is a series of small coves backed by steep cliffs with clear turquoise waters. Access is primarily steps down the cliff side, however if it is seclusion what you are looking for, then these small coves are for you.
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Calas de Roche, Conil de la Frontera
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CHICLANA DE LA FRONTERA AREA
Chiclana’s beaches are located 10-15 minutes drive form the city centre. The main beach is Playa la Barrosa which is a 8 km long sandy beach with very good facilities, bars and restaurants that run along the main promenade. This is a very popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Further along the beach is an unspoiled stretch of sandy beach backed by sand dunes, perfect in the summer months if the main beach is too busy.
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La Barrosa, Chiclana de la Frontera |
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West of La Barrosa, towards the Island of Sancti Petri is Playa Sancti Petri an unspoiled beach with rock pools and sand dunes sheltering the beach. However there are limited facilities.
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Playa Sancti Petri, Chiclanan de la Frontera
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CADIZ AREA
On the approach to Cadiz, running parallel to the main road is Playa de la Cortadura a long unspoiled sandy beach, popular with those who want to get away from the more populated beaches or to surf in Cadiz. There are no bars or restaurants close to this beach so is an ideal picnic spot. If you are looking for a more urban atmosphere, just along the coast in Cadiz new town we can find Playa La Victoria , a 2km long excellent sandy beach with many facilities, bars and restaurants, ideal for family days out. It is also the main spot for the famous “Barbacoa del Carranza” which takes place in August. Playa de la Caleta is located in a small bay between the most impressive sea fortifications in the old town of Cadiz making this place, one of the most popular beaches. It can be very busy in summer months but it has excellent facilities and great scenery, as portrayed in the Bond movie Die Another Day.
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Playa de la Caleta, Cadiz
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Written for Baywatch by Veronica Penman
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