Playa de El Palmar

Setting itself up as the surf capital of Andalusia, Playa de el Palmar sees a succession of surfers visiting its seven kilometres of near-straight golden sands right throughout the year. During the summer months, its kite surfers you’re most likely to come across, while in the winter, it’s board surfers. A surf school and rental centre on the beach means even beginners can have a go.

Roughly five kilometres north of the town of Vejer, being a surf beach means Playa de el Palmar has a laid back atmosphere that continues to the series of restaurants and bars behind it which hum with activity from midday right through to the golden sunsets and beyond into nightfall.

However, el Palmar still manages to maintain a natural and unspoilt scene. Boardwalks lead through largely untouched dunes and woods to the beach, which is most commonly reached via a main road roughly midway along its length close to the “New Tower”, Torre Nueva.

Up to 80 metres wide, the beach’s waters are shallow, making them good for swimming with children, although on the windiest days there is very little protection from the oncoming wind.

If you’re looking for solitude, Playa de el Palmar is quietest at its northern end, furthest from the road.