Tiga belas pantai, dari barat ke timur, dari Cantarriján ke Calahonda

The Granada coast has thirteen beaches in under forty kilometres, from small coves to long town beaches. This guide goes from west to east and says who each beach suits and which ones have a Blue Flag in 2026.

Starting at the western end

Cala del Cañuelo, just inside Málaga province in Nerja, is a small gravel cove with showers. The rocks at each end are good for snorkelling. Drive there on the N-340 and allow time to find parking.

Cantarriján is the first beach in Granada province. It is about 380 metres of dark sand and gravel, and it is a naturist beach. It is quiet and best for a planned day out if you are comfortable with naturism.

From La Herradura to Velilla

La Herradura

La Herradura has darker sand mixed with gravel and usually calm water, good for a first swim. It is one of five Almuñécar beaches with a Blue Flag this year.

Marina del Este and Los Berengueles

Marina del Este is a small beach next to the marina, with very calm water, toilets, showers, sunbed hire and water sports. It suits families and snorkellers. Next to it, Los Berengueles is a rocky inlet with small caves, popular with divers. Both have a Blue Flag in 2026.

San Cristóbal and Puerta del Mar

San Cristóbal and Puerta del Mar are Almuñécar's town beaches, with the promenade and its restaurants right behind. San Cristóbal is dark sand, and Puerta del Mar is sand and gravel. Both have a Blue Flag, and both are busy in summer.

Velilla

Velilla is the longest beach here, about 1.5 km, with gravel, dark sand and calm water. It has the most facilities: toilets, showers, a tourist office, a children's play area, surfing, and hire of sunbeds, boats and diving gear. It has a Blue Flag in 2026.

Calabajío

Calabajío is just east of Velilla. It does not have a Blue Flag this year.

Salobreña, Motril and Calahonda

La Guardia and La Charca

Salobreña's beaches are split by El Peñón, a large rock that sticks out into the sea. Playa de la Guardia, on the west side, is the town's only beach with a Blue Flag this year. Playa de la Charca, also called Solamar, is on the east side. For the town itself, read our Salobreña guide.

Playa Granada and Playa de Poniente

Motril has two beaches side by side: Playa Granada to the west and Playa de Poniente to the east. Both are gravel or shingle, and both have a Blue Flag this year, as do Carchuna and Calahonda further east.

Calahonda

Calahonda is the easternmost beach in this guide, about 1.4 km of dark sand. It is busy and well equipped, with sunbeds, toilets, showers, a children's area and a diving area, and it has a Blue Flag. It is one of the best-known beaches in the area and a good choice for families.

Blue Flags and the warm months

Blue Flags are given for one season at a time, so check the current year. The 2026 list names fourteen Granada beaches: five in Almuñécar, four in Motril, one in Salobreña, two in Gualchos and two in Torrenueva Costa.

The sea at Almuñécar is coldest in February, at about 15 °C, and warmest in August, at about 24.6 °C. From June to October it is usually above 20 °C, which most people find comfortable.

Map of the thirteen beaches

Where to base yourself

Almuñécar and La Herradura are the easiest places to stay, with Salobreña and Motril a short drive east. Read our Almuñécar guide for the town, and diving and snorkelling for the underwater side.