This post has been updated for 2018, read the new post here
One of the many reasons why I love living here in Vejer so much is that we have some of Cadiz’s best beaches on the doorstep. You can spend the day surfing or swimming in the crystal-clear Atlantic waves, or chilling out with a good book; have lunch at a chiringuito (beach bar), or take a picnic; and then come back to Vejer for dinner.
Here’s a personal pick of a few of the very best beaches in Cadiz Province…
Bolonia
Famous for its 30-metre-high sand dune, retinto cattle, and Roman ruins, this secluded beach is stunningly beautiful, with its wide sweep of golden sand. Popular with wind and kite-surfers – and nudists.
Zahara de los Atunes
One of the Costa de la Luz’s prettiest fishing villages is home to family-friendly Playa del Carmen. Pitch your parasol near Antonio’s hotel, which offers the best lunch; look out for local speciality atun de almadraba (fresh bluefin tuna) on the menu from April to June.
Playa de los Alemanes
A sheltered, unspoiled cove near Zahara, the “Beach of the Germans” (so-called for land donated by Franco to his allies) is backed by a grassy slope and bookended by Cabo de la Plata and Cabo de Gracia.
Tarifa
This laid-back surf town is Europe’s wind and kite-surfing capital, as well as being the southernmost point in Spain. Its 10km of beaches – the (breezy) windsurfers’ top spots Las Lances and Valdevaqueros – are dotted with colourful sails and kites and hip beach bars.
El Palmar
This is my favourite of all the Costa de la Luz beaches – an endless stretch of white sand. Perfect for long strolls along the shore. Great watersports facilities.
Conil de la Frontera
This delightful town boasts a 2km-long beach called La Fontanilla, and some beautiful little caletas (coves) to the west, called the Calas de Roche.
Caños de Meca
One of the very best beaches in Cadiz for surfing and bodyboarding, Caños de Meca is next to Cape Trafalgar, and has some lively restaurants.
Chipiona
A pleasant family beach resort, this town’s Playa La Regla is popular with Spanish in the summer, especially Sevillanos escaping the stifling heat.
Playa de la Caleta, Cadiz
This beach in Europe’s oldest city is where James Bond movie Die Another Day was filmed – remember Halle Berry emerging from the waves? It looks across to Castillo San Sebastian, connected by a walkway, which became an island in the film.
Sanlucar de Barrameda
Lying at the mouth of the Guadalquivir river, where it meets the Atlantic, this Costa de la Luz beach is opposite the natural paradise of Coto Doñana; you can take trips from here to see its native lynx, wild boar and imperial eagles. Celebrated for its manzanilla Sherry wine and prawns.
