Playa de Cantarrijan

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Tags: Europe and Spain
Yes
Yes
Yes. However the shuttle is €3 if parking on the beach is full
Nudity not required

The Good

  • The scenery: It is jaw-droppingly beautiful. The beach is nestled between the azure Mediterranean Sea and a stunning mountainous backdrop
  • The food: High quality and decently priced restaurants on the beach, you're not missing out on Spanish cuisine by coming to the beach
  • Peaceful and very nude friendly: Most people are here for the nude beach and the vibe is extremely relaxed. Great for first timers
  • The facilities: Beach loungers and umbrellas available for rent

The Bad

  • Chilly water: The water here can be really cold at the start of the season
  • Parking issues: The beach is at the bottom of a cliff and parking is limited. During peak times you may need to pay for a shuttle down the busy road
  • Lack of shade: There is limited natural shade, so pack accordingly or rent an umbrella

The Naked Truth

One of the best nude beaches in Europe. This place attracts a diverse mix of people from all over the world and still maintains an authentic Spanish vibe. The scenery is stunning and the restaurants here serve up quality cuisine. Playa de Cantarrijan will have whatever you are looking for - from a quiet spot in the sun away from people or a sun lounger right next to the bar. Just beware the water can be very chilly here at the start of the season and beyond.
Highly recommended and not to be missed.

Insider Tip

Head past the rocks to the left if you want a guaranteed 100% nude beach experience. All the locals in the know are in this section and will bring all the supplies they need for a lengthy beach stay.

Who's Here

Everyone. This is one of Spain's busiest nudist beaches and it attracts visitors from all over Europe.

Beach Surface

Small soft pebbles

Access Difficulty

Easy if you catch the shuttle. Otherwise a moderately challenging 30min down a steep hill.
Booking.com
Booking.com

Photos

Our Visit

Matt & Megan
Nude Beach Map. Visited 2023

We LOVED everything about Playa de Cantarrijan. We’ll try and be factual to give you the pros and cons – but wow. This place is absolutely stunning and we knew within 5 minutes of arriving that we’d be back the next day for a second beach day. It is our favourite nude beach in Spain so far.

Normally we don’t like the idea of renting beach loungers or umbrellas (we have a beach blanket and we’d much rather spend the money on drinks instead), but it just made sense here because of the brutal heat and large pebbles. If you’re going to spend all day here then 15 Euros isn’t too bad I guess. The two restaurants run different setups with loungers. Both are relatively close to facilities, and you can also get some more privacy on the fringes.. Away from the main beach to the left is an almost totally nude beach which is more spread out – it seemed more Spanish families were in this area. The days we were here I’d guess roughly 70-80% of people were naked at the main beach and obviously everyone else was totally accepting.

Click to show more

Playa de Cantarrijan has two restaurants serving up traditional Spanish cuisine and you’ll be spoilt for choice if you choose to eat here.  There is Bola Marina Bar & Grill and the slightly more upscale Restaurante La Barraca. We tried both and were not disappointed. You could also choose to bring your own snacks and drinks like the locals – either way the view is epic and the water crystal clear. We were surprised the water was so cold! After visiting other European nude beaches you’ll definitely notice how close to the cold Atlantic Ocean this place is.. makes Greek or French beaches feel like bath water but it is refreshing.

Late afternoon is when this place really comes alive and we mean that in sleepy-relaxing vibe kinda way, definitely not a party vibe. The sunset at the beach is perfect, and the sky glows in colours that seem to change each minute.. Playa de Cantarrijan is one of those places where you can take a dozen pictures and it doesn’t do it any justice. You’ll just have to come here and see how beautiful it is for yourself!

We stayed in sleepy La Herradura which is about a 10 minute drive away from the beach. Unfortunately there are no clothing optional hotels nearby but we can recommend Hotel Pena Parda – it has a chill vibe and is the closest hotel to the beach. However you’ll still need to drive here unfortunately. There are also plenty of Airbnb options nearby on the hillside but we found them pricey if you are only staying a few days. We found La Herradura very friendly with a wide range of accommodation and food options – highly recommended! Locals told us the shoulder seasons here in May/June and Sept/Oct were the best times to visit the beach – it’s still hot but you don’t have crazy crowds plus you can still park your car at the beach, without waiting to take the shuttle up and down the steep hill.

Put Playa de Cantarrijan on your list of beaches to visit! The pebbly beach, the surprisingly chilly water, the top-notch grub, and that next-level sunset make it a place you won’t forget in a hurry. Come with an open mind, an adventurous spirit, and a readiness to bask in Spanish beach culture – and you’ll have an experience that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

Questions? Comments? Add your thoughts or photos below!

Map

Nearby Accommodation

Nearby La Herradura is your best option if you want to stay close to the beach. The small town has everything you could need but is very laidback and lacks a huge amount of nightlife. There are no clothing optional accommodation options nearby.

Non-Nude:

Hotel Pena Parda-⭐⭐⭐⭐
The closest hotel to the beach. This place has all the facilities you need and laidback vibe, it is also right on the beach (not the nude beach.. but you won't find any hotels there). Lots of parking, beach views and clean spacious rooms. Walkable to many restaurants and bars in La Herradura. Highly recommended.

Peña Parda Hotel

Getting There

Getting to Playa de Cantarriján can be a bit tricky because of its remote location. The beach is located at the bottom of a cliff and is a short drive 10 minute drive from La Herradura (the nearest town). The road off the N-340 down to the beach is only a short distance but is very steep and winding, its also one-way in some parts - so take caution.
You could walk to the beach from La Herradura via a dirt trail, but is extremely steep, hot and dangerous. Most locals don't even attempt this option.

By Car:
From Malaga or Almuñécar:

  1. Follow the N-340 coastal road (or the A-7 motorway which runs parallel).
  2. Turn off at Km marker 303, which is signposted "Cantarriján".
  3. Follow the steep and winding road down to the beach.

Be aware that in July and August, due to the high volume of visitors, the road to the beach from the N-340 is closed. In these months, a shuttle bus service operates from a pullout on the N-340 down to the beach. Cost is €3 per person and is only payable on the way down. If the road to the beach is open then parking is free at a dirt lot in front of the restaurants. Signs say it is for restaurant patrons only but you shouldn't have any issues.

By Public Transportation:
Public transport to Playa de Cantarriján is limited due to its remote location. There's no direct public transportation. However, you could:

  1. Take a bus to La Herradura, the nearest town.
  2. From La Herradura, you could take a taxi to the beach. Note that it's about 7 km (roughly 4.3 miles) from La Herradura to Playa de Cantarriján, so you might want to arrange a pick-up time with the taxi driver for your return trip.

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