La Genoveses beach in Cabo de Gata It usually appears in the lists of the best sandbanks in the province of Almería and even from the entire Andalusian region. Nothing more fair, since it is a beautiful beach with fine sand and intense blue waters.
But it also belongs to Cabo de Gata-Níjar Maritime-Terrestrial Natural Park. And it is a beach located in the area of Campillo of Genoves, where there are hardly any buildings or roads. It is, therefore, a virgin sandbank that has preserved all its beauty over time, something very difficult on the tourist Spanish coast. For you to visit, we are going to explain everything you need to know about the Genoveses beach in Cabo de Gata and we will also tell you about its surroundings.
Where to find the beach of the Genoveses
The cove of the Genoveses
We have already given you some information so that you can locate this beach. But we will specify more to explain to you that it is one step away from the Cabo de Gata, very close to the best known monsul beach. It is, therefore, one of the most visited places on the Almeria coast.
It is also very close to the town of San Jose and, already towards the interior, of the Well of the Friars. But more important is that we talk to you about the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Maritime-Terrestrial Natural Park, to which the Genoveses beach belongs, as we have already told you. This wonder of nature of almost fifty thousand hectares includes wonderful coastal landscapes along with other inland ones. As for its lands, they are of volcanic origin and make up one of the most arid places in all Europe. But its more than sixty kilometers of coastline are also home to cliffs of enormous beauty and seabeds of incalculable ecological value.
All this not to mention some of the wonderful landscapes that it offers you. For example, Cabo de Gata itself or the so-called sirens reef, a set of capricious rock formations. In addition, this natural space is home to more than a thousand terrestrial species and some two hundred and fifty marine species. Many of them are endemic to the area and have enormous value. For example, the posidonia oceanic between the second and the lesser dandelion among those of land, if we talk about flora.
How to get to the Genoveses beach in Cabo de Gata?
Panoramic view of the Genoveses beach
You can get to the sandbank by car, but we advise you not to do so. Because in summer road traffic is restricted to preserve the ecological value of the area. There's also a bus that brings you from San José, not only to this beach, but also to the nearby one of Monsul and the Crescent Cove.
But it is better that you leave your vehicle in the villa of San Jose, which is about forty kilometers from the city of Almería. Then you only have to walk about three along a dirt road that also shows you unique windmills. From there you will go to a path of sandy dunes and wild flora from which you will get wonderful views of the cove and the spectacular Morron of the Genoveses, a volcanic elevation about eighty-five meters high that dominates the landscape.
On the other hand, we have already told you that it is a almost virgin beach. Therefore, if you want to spend the whole day in it, you better bring your food, since there are no restaurants or beach bars nearby. The closest ones are in San José itself.
How is it and when to go to this beach?
The Morron of the Genoveses
The Genoveses beach is flat and has about one thousand two hundred meters long by fifty wide. Its waters are calm and clean, while its sands are fine. And, behind it, there is a set of dunes that have typical vegetation of the natural park where it is located. Specifically, there are many prickly pears, agave and pitas.
We have already told you that, on one side of the sandbank, there is the Morron of the Genoveses, which frames it. On the other hand, on the other hand, this function is exercised by the so-called Ave Maria Hill. Both one and the other can be reached by walking through trails and get wonderful views of the Almeria coast.
Although it is not a nudist beach, it is common to find people on it practicing naturism. They are usually at the north and south ends of the sandbank, while the central part is for those who wear a swimsuit.
On the other hand, any time is good for you to visit this beautiful beach in the province of Almería. The climate of the area is good all year round. Therefore, in spring and early autumn the weather is pleasant and allows you to take a bath in its waters.
However, the best season to enjoy the beach is, logically, summerwhen temperatures are higher. It is also true that this is the time when it receives more visitors, so you can find many people. For all these reasons, perhaps the best months to take advantage of the Genoveses beach are june and september.
The name and its role as a movie set
Ave Maria Hill
As a curiosity, we will tell you that this sandy area is called Playa de los Genoveses because two hundred ships from that Italian republic arrived there in the XNUMXth century. They came to help Alfonso VII of Leon in their fight against the Muslims. In fact, the flag of the city of Almería shares shape and color with that of Genoa.
Another anecdotal fact is that of the beach as a movie set. The role played by the province of Almeria in cinematography is well known, with the filming of western films, mainly in the tabernas desert. But it is less well known that places like the Genoveses beach were chosen for films with an Arab setting. Some films shot in it belong to this genre, such as the wind and the Lion, John Millius. But, without a doubt, the most famous was Lawrence of Arabia, masterpiece of David Lean in which we saw Peter O'Toole and Omar Sharif ride through its sands.
Likewise, as a curiosity, we will also tell you that, at the foot of this beach, you can see an old Spanish Civil War bunker. It is not in a very good state of conservation, but it will surely surprise you.
The surroundings of the Genoveses beach
San José, the closest town to Los Genoveses beach in Cabo de Gata
To finish our visit to this wonderful beach in Almería, we will tell you about what you can find in its surroundings. So, very close you have the Islet of the Moor, a small town of white houses and fishing boats stranded on the sand. Do not miss the views of the islet that gives it its name or those offered by the Amethyst Lookout.
On the other hand, you have the small town of San Jose, which we have already mentioned several times. Likewise, its small whitewashed houses and its tourist services stand out, with a good number of bars, restaurants and shops. There was a castle in the town that was built in the XNUMXth century, but after the War of independence, was left in ruins and, later, a Civil Guard barracks was built on the site.
Likewise, from San José depart several hiking trails that will allow you to enjoy both the wonderful Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Níjar and the coastal landscapes of Almería. A good example of them is the one that reaches The Stones, which is barely seven kilometers long.
More important than the previous ones is the locality of Níjar, which is part of the network of the most beautiful villages in Spain. It was founded by the Arabs in the XNUMXth century, which can be seen walking through the narrow and steep streets of its beautiful old town. Also noteworthy in this Portillo passageway, one of the gates of the old wall.
Historic center of Nijar
We advise you to visit in Níjar the beautiful Mudejar church of Our Lady of the Incarnation and the building of the Town hall, which is in the Plaza de la Glorieta. But also in the surroundings of this beautiful village you have a lot to see. Thus, in the beautiful district of Egg, with its whitewashed houses and its XNUMXth-century church, you have the remains of a castle listed as an asset of cultural interest.
Best preserved is the San Felipe Castle, in Los Escullos, which was also built in the XNUMXth century. They are not the only ones in the area. You can also see the San Pedro o San Ramón, Like coastal watchtowers such as Calahiguera, Los Lobos or Vela Blanca.
Finally, in The Barranquete you have a necropolis and in Rodalquilar a old mining operation of the XNUMXth century. This set includes several mines and mineral processing plants, as well as an entire town, that of San Diego. To this same period belongs the Isabel II reservoir, which was inaugurated in 1850.
In conclusion, we have explained everything you need to know about the Genoveses beach in Cabo de Gata. To finish, we will advise you that, in addition to enjoying it, you come to visit the beautiful and historic city of Almería, Founded by Abdullah III in the XNUMXth century. Isn't that an interesting plan?