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With more than five kilometres of unspoilt sand in the heart of Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, this wild beach in Almería is a paradise for swimming, diving and flamingo spotting. A unique setting where turquoise waters, a distinctive white church and one of south-eastern Spain’s most important wetlands combine to create an unforgettable coastal experience.
Five kilometres of unspoilt sand
Its sheer scale is one of the first things visitors notice. Stretching for over five kilometres, from the Torreón de San Miguel to the area surrounding the lighthouse, the beach offers vast open spaces and a remarkable sense of freedom.
Along the shoreline, medium-grain sand alternates with sections of gravel and varying seabeds. Thanks to its size, it is usually possible to find a peaceful spot, even at the height of summer.
The beach has very few facilities, but this is precisely what helps preserve its unspoilt character and natural beauty.
Las Salinas, the wetland that gives the beach its name
On the other side of the road lies one of the most valuable wetlands in the province of Almería: the Cabo de Gata salt flats, the only salt pans in the south-east of the Iberian Peninsula still operating on an industrial scale. Although they produce around 40,000 tonnes of salt each year, their ecological importance far exceeds their economic value.
More than 100 bird species have been recorded in this protected area. Around 70% are migratory species, while the remainder live here year-round, taking advantage of the region’s mild winters.
The undisputed stars of the salt flats are the pink flamingos, although visitors may also spot herons, avocets, ducks and sandpipers. For a closer look, there are three signposted viewpoints along the road:
- Salinas 1: Next to the church.
- Salinas 2: Near the interpretation centre.
- Salinas 3: With panoramic views towards Cabo de Gata.
The best times to enjoy the views are at sunrise and sunset, when the light and the movement of the birds make the visit unforgettable.
Las Salinas church – the park's visual icon
Halfway along the coastal route stands one of the most recognisable landmarks in Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park: Las Salinas church, built in 1907 on an elevated platform to protect it from encroaching sand and seasonal flooding.
Constructed beside the old saltworks, whose origins date back to Roman times, the church is best known for its striking portico and bell tower, making it one of the most photographed sights in the area.
Following a restoration completed in 2012, the building has been used each summer as a tourist information centre.
This is the treasure hidden in the Las Salinas sea.
Beneath the surface, extensive Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows give the water the striking turquoise colour that characterises this stretch of coastline.
When the sea is calm, the waters of Las Salinas provide excellent conditions for activities such as diving, snorkelling, kayaking and paddleboarding.
For those who prefer wind-powered sports, the more exposed sections of the beach are ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
How to get to Las Salinas beach?
There are several ways to reach this almost untouched beach:
By car along the AL-3115 road, which runs parallel to the beach. The shoulders serve as informal parking, although in high season it's best to arrive early.
By bicycle or on foot along the Cliff Trail, which connects Las Salinas with other beaches in the park such as Los Genoveses or Monsul.
Take a bus from Níjar or Almería to San José, from where the journey on foot is perfectly feasible.
If Cabo de Gata no longer seems like just a holiday destination to you, perhaps it's time to explore the options for buying a home in Las Salinas and waking up every day in one of the most spectacular natural parks in Spain.
A landscape that has captivated cinema for decades
It is no coincidence that cameras have been drawn here since the 1970s. Las Salinas brings together, in a single landscape, the elements filmmakers are always searching for but rarely find: a seemingly endless road, water on one side, salt flats on the other, and, in the distance, a white church standing between sky and earth. It is a setting that requires no elaborate set design or artificial lighting.
- Patton (1970) was one of the first major productions to make use of the area, transforming the salt flats into a minefield and using the church as a dramatic backdrop.
- Later came David Trueba’s Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed (2013), Assassin’s Creed (2016) and Money Heist, which featured the road leading to Monteleva during its third season.
The same road has appeared in car commercials and music videos, including Cosmic Girl by Jamiroquai and dozens of advertising pieces.
