🌊 A different cove, far from the noise and the umbrellas
There are beaches for sunbathing… and then there is Cala del Plomo: a cove for disconnecting, exploring, and listening to the silence. Yes, true silence, with the sound of the sea and the wind caressing the rocks.
It is one of my favourite spots in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, a few kilometres from Agua Amarga. Little known, with no services and a bit difficult to get to… but that is precisely what makes it so special.
📍 Where is Cala del Plomo?
Cala del Plomo is located between Agua Amarga and Las Negras, in a completely unspoilt area of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park.
🔎 Google Maps tip: Access to Cala del Plomo is via a 7 km track, clearly marked on GPS.
🚗 Access and route: not for the impatient
I’ll be clear: access is not exactly convenient. From the main road AL-5106, you have to take a dirt track for 6 to 7 km, which is somewhat bumpy. It can be done in a normal car, but you have to drive slowly, dodging stones, and be patient if you come across another car.
💡 Advice from Nicolás: leave early in the morning to avoid crowds and find a place to park.
🅿️ Parking: small and tricky
The car park is very small, unpaved, and is shared with the neighbouring cove, Cala de Enmedio. In summer it can fill up quickly, especially with camper vans or motorhomes that come to spend the day.
🕙 Arrive before 10:00 a.m. in high season. Out of season, it is much quieter.
🏖️ A wild, unadorned beach
Cala del Plomo offers 260 metres of pure nature: no beach bars, no showers, no lifeguards. Just crystal clear water, stones, fine sand by the shore, and a landscape that looks like something out of an adventure film.
The beach is framed by eroded cliffs with impressive rock formations. On the left, there are small caves to explore; on the right, the promontory of Punta del Plomo, where there used to be a watchtower to detect Berber pirates.
🐠 What to do in Cala del Plomo?
1. Quiet snorkelling
The water is crystal clear and the sea bed is full of life. You don’t have to be a professional: even from the shore you can see fish, sea urchins and seaweed.
🩴 Bring water shoes: there are a lot of stones when you enter the water.
2. Explore and walk
A coastal path starts at Cala del Plomo and takes you to Cala de Enmedio. A 30-minute walk with spectacular views. Sometimes you’ll come across horse riders, because yes, some people come here on horseback!
🌄 Take water and sunscreen with you. There is no shade.
3. Rest and unwind
Even in summer, the cove is usually very quiet. You can lie on the sand, read a good book or simply gaze at the sea. The closer to the shore, the softer the sand.
4. Photography and contemplation
With the light, the rocks and the sea, this place is a paradise for photographers and nature lovers. Sunrise or sunset here are simply magical.
⚠️ What there is NOT (and you should know this)
🔹 There are no toilets
🔹 There is no beach bar or restaurant
🔹 There are no lifeguards
🔹 There are no bins (take your rubbish with you, please!)
🔹 Very weak or no mobile phone coverage
Be self-sufficient. This is what you absolutely have to take:
- 🥤 Water (lots of it)
- 🥪 Food or snacks
- 🧴 Sunscreen
- 🧢 Hat or cap
- 🩴 Booties
- 🗑️ Trash bags
👪 Who is Cala del Plomo for?
✔️ Quiet families (gentle entrance to the water, perfect for children under supervision)
✔️ Couples looking for tranquillity and nature
✔️ Hiking or snorkelling enthusiasts
✔️ Photographers or dreamers
❌ Not suitable for people with reduced mobility
❌ Not recommended with babies if you are not well prepared
📅 When is the best time to visit?
- 🟢 May, June, September, October: the ideal. Warm water, few people, total peace.
- 🔥 July-August: hotter, more cars, more waiting.
- ❄️ Winter: perfect for a walk or picnic alone.
🐾 Dogs, naturism and atmosphere
Officially, dogs are not allowed, but in practice some visitors do bring them, on a lead and not to cause a nuisance.
It is a mixed cove: people in swimsuits and naturists coexist without problem. There is respect and tranquillity.
📖 A bit of local history
The name comes from the old farmhouse of El Plomo, which can still be seen nearby. In the 16th century, at Punta del Plomo, there was a watchtower to defend the coast from pirates.
Access to the cove follows the Rambla del Plomo, a small oasis with palm trees, olive trees and ancient terraces. A place with history, soul… and no Wi-Fi.
✅ Practical summary
| 🏝️ Key Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Cala del Plomo |
| Location | Cabo de Gata Natural Park, near Agua Amarga |
| Access | 6.5 km dirt road |
| Parking | Free, limited |
| Services | None |
| Best time | May to October |
| Activities | Snorkeling, hiking, relaxing, photography |
| For children | Yes (with supervision) |
| Nudism | Allowed, respectful atmosphere |
| Dogs | Not officially allowed, but sometimes tolerated |
✉️ Nico’s word
La Cala del Plomo is a hidden gem. It is not your typical comfortable beach with lots of services. It is a place where you can reconnect with the essentials, where time slows down and the environment invites you to take a deep breath.
If you’re in the Carboneras or Agua Amarga area, I encourage you to discover it. And if you want to combine it with a walk to Cala de Enmedio, I’ll be happy to send you the GPS route!
You know: I’m here to make your experience in Andalusia authentic, fluid and without surprises.
📲 Ask me anything: tips, maps, best times, and even where to take the best photo.
See you soon, and please take care of this place. It’s rare, delicate, and deserves to remain a little piece of paradise.
Some of our photos
| Other beaches we recommend (click on the beach name) | Advantages of this beach |
|---|---|
| Playa del Algarrobico | A spectacular, vast, quiet, and little-visited beach |
| Playa de las Marinicas | The beach at the foot of both apartments, the favourite of local families and children |
| Playa Cala del Enmedio | A lost paradise, reserved for those who truly seek it… a short hike required! |
| Playa del sombrerico | A beach at the end of the path… yet close to everything |
| Playa de La Galera | A haven of peace near Carboneras |
| Cala San Pedro | Lose yourself in its unique turquoise waters in Cabo de Gata Natural Park |
| Cala del Plomo | A hidden treasure in Cabo de Gata Park |
| Playa Sopalmo | Our favourite landmark spot near Mojácar |
| Cala de los Toros | An oasis… and then the sea! |
