Why look for secret coves in Spain
Twelve hidden beaches spread across the Balearic Islands, the peninsular Mediterranean, the Costa Brava and the Cantabrian Sea. They are pristine or semi-wild coves, many within natural parks or Natural Areas of Special Interest.
Each one comes with everything you need to plan: how to get there (path, track or boat), the best time to avoid crowds, recommended activities and access level. You will also find the regulations for each space regarding access, parking, drones and fires.
Depending on the stretch of coastline and your fitness level, you can link several coves together in one day or dedicate a long day to just one.
The calm sea invites you to swim without rushing, to go snorkelling over Mediterranean tapeweed meadows and to take photographs at sunrise. To sleep nearby, there are campsites, agrotourism stays and small rural houses.
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Where they are and how to choose: map and quick summary
Before deciding, locate them on an interactive map of Spain and the Balearic Islands, with layers by region and accessibility and markers with seasonal notes. This way, you can choose according to your route, the state of the sea and the time available.
In Menorca, Cala Pregonda (north) has medium access: track plus 30-40 min on foot, best in May-June and Sep-Oct, with golden sand, reddish rocks and good for snorkelling. Cala Pilar (northwest) requires medium access, track plus 35-45 min on foot, between dunes and wild landscapes.
Cala Saona (west) is also easy by car or motorbike plus a walk: it is 9 km from La Savina (about 18 min by car) and has a line 5 bus from La Savina or Sant Francesc, a wooden walkway for people with reduced mobility and tranquil sunsets. Cala Es Caló (east) is easily reached from the village, with pools and bottoms for snorkelling; it is advisable to arrive early because the most well-known beaches fill up by mid-morning.
In Níjar (Almería), Cala de San Pedro has medium access, 4-5 km on foot or by boat, and is a hippie cove with clear waters. Cala de Enmedio adds golden sand and white cliffs.
To choose, think about your plan:
- If you are travelling as a family, S'Alguer, Saona and Es Caló are accessible and have nearby services.
- If you are looking for solitary beaches, Trebalúger, Pilar and Enmedio reward the effort.
- If you prioritise snorkelling, Pregonda, Plomo and Moraig offer clean bottoms and a variety of habitats.
- If you want photography, Gulpiyuri for its karst phenomenon and Saona for its sunsets.
View the map, choose two or three nearby options and adjust according to wind and swell. Arrive early to have soft light and fewer people.
Essential information for planning: location, seasons, access and accommodation
To reach these coves, the first thing is to be clear about where they are. Use coordinates in decimal format (for example, 39.970°N, 4.060°E indicates north latitude and east longitude in Menorca): enter them into your maps app and download the offline map.
Practical tip
Download offline maps and route tracks in GPX format. A mobile phone without coverage still shows your position with GPS active.
On the coast, expect a detour of 200-400 metres via winding paths or property lines. If you go via coastal paths, the ground is irregular, with short slopes and sections of loose stone: wear light trekking footwear and an optional pole. On dirt tracks, it is practised with tourism if it is dry; after rain, puddles form, so reduce your speed and do not drive if there is a sign indicating closure.
By boat or kayak, set off with low swell and light wind, carry a life jacket and a rope for mooring, and anchor only in sand to respect the Mediterranean tapeweed. The smell of pine resin and salt accompanies the last few metres before the water.
Spring (April-June) brings fresh water, sharp colours and fewer people. The end of summer-autumn (September-October) leaves warm sea and good visibility for snorkelling. Avoid easterly storms in Almería/Alicante and tramuntana in Menorca, and check AEMET for wind and swell the day before.
In Costa Brava, look for family apartments and hotels in Palamós and La Fosca.
In Las Negras, Hotel Bitácora is open from 09:00 to 21:30 and Apartamentos Las Negras from 09:00 to 21:00. In Agua Amarga, Hotel miKasa Agua Amarga is 150 metres from the beach; Agua Amarga Camper Park is open from 10:00 to 22:00 and its showers cost 1€ for 5 minutes. In Cabo de Gata, Cabo de Gata Camper Park is open from 09:00 to 22:00.
Have a nearby plan B if the wind changes: choose coves leeward, 15-30 minutes away by car or walking. Prepare a light backpack with water (2 L per person), salty food, sun protection and a bag for all waste.
The 12 coves that deserve your getaway
1. Cala Pregonda (Menorca): lunar landscape and turquoise waters
Cala Pregonda has reddish rocks, islets that enclose it and golden medium-grained sand with reddish tones. It is on the north coast of Menorca and brings together three beaches: Playa de Pregonda to the west, Playa de Salieró to the east and Escullar de Pregonda on the islet that closes the cove.
The orientation and the islets dampen the swell on days without tramuntana, so the cove works as a natural swimming pool for snorkelling.
You arrive on foot from the Binimel·là car park via the GR-223: 30-40 minutes. The difficulty is medium, because the path is not technical but the sun is intense and there is no shade; wear closed footwear, water and a hat.
Go from May to June or in September to avoid the summer peaks. Early in the morning, the light draws textures on the red rock. If you like photography, try at sunrise and sunset, and explore the adjacent small coves towards the east.
Cala Pregonda is a nudist beach and records high occupancy in summer. It is a high ecological value area (ANEI): do not climb over the dunes, do not leave cigarette butts and respect the Mediterranean tapeweed in the water. To sleep, Es Mercadal is 37 minutes away by car, with small hotels and agrotourism.
2. Cala Trebalúger (Menorca): difficult access, guaranteed solitude
Cala Trebalúger is a solitary beach in the south of Menorca, with transparent waters and a wooded environment of pines. The effort required to get there is what guarantees the calm.
You arrive walking from Sant Tomàs in 1 h 39 min (about 99 min). Another option is to come from Cala Mitjana via the path that leaves to the left of the beach, through pine forests and with steep climbs and descents. If the sea is calm, you can also arrive by boat or kayak.
By car, park on the Me-22 road (Ferreries-Cala Galdana), before reaching the urbanisation, and walk 20 minutes to the cove.
A small freshwater river flows into the beach after running through a pine valley. Contaminating substances of industrial origin have been detected in this river.
The sandy bottom allows you to swim and snorkel without difficulty, and visibility is good next to the rocky sides. The silence is only broken by cicadas when the sun beats down directly on the pine grove.
The difficulty is high due to the distance and the heat, and there are no services. Bring 2 litres of water per person, mineral sunscreen, something salty to replenish, and a bag for all waste. It is better to go in May-June or September, avoiding the middle hours of the day. Return with all your rubbish and do not improvise shortcuts that erode the slope.
3. Cala Pilar (Menorca): dunes, wind and wild nature
It is worth the trip for its wild landscape, which changes from a golden tone to a reddish one depending on the light.
Access starts from a marked car park and follows a 35-45 minute path with gentle climbs over sand and clay. The detour is located at km 34 of the general road, between Ferreries and Ciutadella, and it is not possible to arrive by bus. You can also arrive via stage 7 of the Camí de Cavalls.
The difficulty is medium and there is sun exposure: bring flip-flops for swimming, but walk with trainers on the path. On Tramuntana wind days, the swell can be notable, so it is advisable to choose days without strong wind.
The cove is in the Menorca North Coast Marine Reserve, where fishing is prohibited, and the osprey nests in the cliffs. Avoid stepping on the embryonic dune and use the designated paths. For a responsible picnic, bring a tablecloth and cold food: there are no bins, so you must take your waste with you.
4. Cala en Baster (Formentera): small rocky cove and local atmosphere
There are no large sandy areas, but the water is crystal clear and the atmosphere remains quiet outside of August.
Arrive by car or motorbike and then take a short walk. If you come by boat, anchor only on sand so as not to damage the Mediterranean tapeweed.
The difficulty is low and there are no formal services: bring water sandals to enter through the rock. Go during the early morning period, with low light and a calm sea. For snorkelling, look for the north wall, where cracks and meadows alternate.
Respect the boat sheds and the fishermen's gear. To sleep, there is accommodation in Sant Ferran or Es Pujols, 5-10 minutes away.
5. Cala Saona (Formentera): white sand and tranquil sunsets
Cala Saona is on the west coast of Formentera and, out of season, leaves corners of calm between low cliffs. It is a well-known beach, so choose your date carefully if you are looking for silence.
You arrive by car or motorbike and walk a few minutes to the shore. The difficulty is low, you have services at hand and short walks to neighbouring little coves.
In June and September, sunsets can be enjoyed without the August crowds. As evening falls, the sky turns burnt orange and the sea looks like a sheet of glass. If you are going to take photographs, arrive 60-90 minutes before sunset and look for perspectives next to the fishermen's huts.
You can stay in the same area or in Sant Francesc. In the water, avoid stepping on Mediterranean tapeweed and do not use sunscreens with oxybenzone.
6. Cala Es Caló (Formentera): pool and crystal clear water for snorkelling
The area is good for snorkelling among rocks and patches of Mediterranean tapeweed, with schools of saddled seabream and salema porgy. The difficulty is low, but it is advisable to use water sandals to enter and watch out for purple sea urchins. The entire surrounding coastline serves as a bathing area.
The scent of salt and rock samphire accompanies the murmur of the capes hitting the wood of the huts. On days without an east wind, the sea wakes up flat as a mirror, ideal for underwater photography.
Go early in the morning in summer and at midday in spring and autumn, with the sun high. Although it is one of the most accessible coves in the Balearic Islands, it maintains a tranquil atmosphere if you move a few metres away from the centre.
7. Cala de San Pedro (Almería): hippie cove with access on foot or by boat
Cala de San Pedro has clear water, nearby caves and a hippie community that lives there all year round. It is in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, in Almería, and can be reached walking or by boat.
The most common access is on foot from Las Negras, via a 4-5 km path one way with moderate slopes. You can also take a water taxi when the sea is calm: about 15 minutes and about 6 euros per trip.
The difficulty is medium due to the elevation gain and the heat. Bring 2 L of water per person, a hat and a bag for all waste. Upon reaching the top of the last slope, the smell of hot thyme and salt announces the cove.
Spring and October are the best times to visit; in summer, get up early. Go snorkelling next to the rocky outcrops and the caves, and respect the small resident community and its environment.
There are no formal services, although rustic beach bars appear during the season: do not depend on them. To sleep, look for accommodation in Las Negras or Rodalquilar.
8. Cala de Enmedio (Níjar, Almería): golden sand and impressive cliffs
Cala de Enmedio is a beach in Níjar, in Almería, within the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. It is a pristine cove, without services, with clear sea on days without the levante wind. The echo of the choughs sounds like a whistle above the white wall.
Arriving on foot is the only way: you have 25 minutes from Agua Amarga or 20 from Cala del Plomo. The difficulty is high due to the heat and the irregular terrain, so choose May, June or October, and in summer go very early.
At both ends there are fossilised dunes that form natural pools. It is a nudist beach, and discreet snorkelling works on the sides, as does photographing rock textures.
You can combine the day with Cala del Plomo and alternate according to the wind. To sleep, look for accommodation in Agua Amarga or Fernán Pérez.
9. Cala del Plomo (Almería): snorkelling among volcanic walls
Cala del Plomo is a wide cove with dark cliffs, with good bottoms for snorkelling between volcanic slabs when the sea is calm. In the mid-morning, the smell of dried seaweed mixes with the warm breeze coming down from the ravine.
You arrive via track from Agua Amarga. It is passable with low-speed tourism and common sense, and the difficulty is low-medium depending on the heat. There is some shade at the rocky ends.
Choose days without the levante: visibility increases and fish swarm in the crevices. Bring water shoes to walk over pebbles and avoid entering against the swell.
If you want a full day, combine Cala del Plomo with Cala de Enmedio on foot. To sleep, look for accommodation in Agua Amarga, Las Negras or Rodalquilar.
10. S'alguer / Cala S'alguer (Costa Brava): fishermen's cove and traditional charm
Next to Palamós and La Fosca, Cala S'Alguer holds whitewashed and colourful fishermen's huts. It is also known as Cala del Polvorí and the complex has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest by the Generalitat since 1972.
You arrive via the Camí de Ronda with a short walk. The first section, a wooden walkway, is accessible for wheelchairs; the rest has stairs and uneven levels. The complete linear route measures 7.2 km and takes 2 h 40 min, with medium difficulty, and is suitable for children used to walking; in the cove's surroundings, the difficulty is low.
The smell of tar and old wood floats between the stranded boats. Respect the complex: do not invade the huts or use their porches for shade.
For a clear swim, choose mornings with flat sea and soft light. September or autumn are good for families and for tranquil photography.
11. Gulpiyuri (Asturias): the inland beach that feels like a secret
100 m from the Llanes coast, there is a beach with no sea in sight: Gulpiyuri. It is a doline about 50 m in diameter, near Naves, which fills with water through a karst tunnel.
It has been declared a natural monument since 2001 and is part of the Eastern Coast of Asturias Protected Landscape. It does not always have water: it depends on the tide and the swell, so check the Llanes tide tables and the sea report before going.
Swimming is not always possible and the space is very limited, although access is of low difficulty. To take photographs, go when the tide is halfway and there is some swell pushing water through the tunnel: when the sea breathes heavily, a cavernous whisper can be heard before the water bursts into the sandy basin.
You can only reach it on foot, from San Antolín beach or from Naves, with signposted parking and a short walk. Respect the meadows and enclosures: do not step on damp grasslands or leave litter. In Llanes and nearby towns, there is plenty of accommodation.
12. Cala del Moraig (Alicante): submarine cave and relaxed atmosphere
Cala del Moraig, in the Poble Nou of Benitatxell (Marina Alta), has sapphire-coloured waters and the Cova dels Arcs, a geological emblem. At the edge of the cave, the air smells of damp limestone and salt.
You arrive via a ramp and a short path from the car park. In summer, there may be entry control and a municipal shuttle. The difficulty is low-medium due to the slopes and the heat.
In May, June and September, the atmosphere is tranquil and the sea is great for snorkelling. Next to the cave, observe it without entering when there is a swell: there are siphons and currents.
To sleep, look for accommodation in Benitatxell, Moraira or Jávea. Avoid creams with harmful filters and do not approach the base of the cliff during stormy weather.
Activities and logistics: swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, hiking, transport and what to bring
Enter the water via sandy areas or with wetsuit boots if there is rock. Before jumping, check the depth and the seabed. Rounding each headland, the smell changes subtly: rock samphire, sage, then raw salt.
For snorkelling, do not touch or chase the wildlife and maintain a gentle kick to avoid clouding the water or hitting the Mediterranean tapeweed. If there is boat traffic, carry a buoy.
A car or a motorbike is the most flexible option. In the Balearic Islands, car parks may close due to capacity, so arrive early and respect the signage.
In natural parks, use the designated parking areas and respect the daily quotas. Do not park on vegetation or block agricultural paths.
For photography, the first and last light reduces glare and saturates colours, and a polariser helps on wet rock. Bring a 20-30 L backpack with 2 L of water per person, light and salty food, mineral sun protection, a cap, a UV shirt and sunglasses. Add hiking footwear and wetsuit boots, a light towel and a change of dry clothes, a basic first aid kit (plasters, disinfectant), a whistle and a headlamp if you plan to return at sunset. Add a waterproof bag for electronics and another for litter.
To combine coves, choose a linear stretch with two access points: park at one end and return via the coast; if you are going alone, plan a shorter round trip. Alternate orientations: if the levante wind blows, look for sheltered coves and check the swell report the night before.
Safety, conservation and local regulations
Danger signs, currents and rockfalls are not decoration: read them and adapt your plan. Avoid walking along unstable ledges and do not position yourself below cliffs on days with swell or after rain. With a strong easterly wind, the sea smells different, and that is a good sign not to take risks.
Everything you carry comes back with you, including cigarette butts and organic remains. No campfires or barbecues: the breeze fans sparks and the vegetation burns easily. Do not pick plants, do not move stones to make pools and do not handle purple sea urchins or starfish.
In the Mediterranean, Mediterranean tapeweed is protected: do not anchor on it and avoid stepping on it at low tide. Fishing and collecting are prohibited without a licence and, in many cases, always in protected areas; do not collect shells or stones either.
In the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, if the designated parking areas on the beaches are full, access with motor vehicles is not permitted, except for buses. There, wild camping is prohibited and is only allowed in duly authorised tourist campsites. In the protected spaces of the Balearic Islands, authorisation is free of charge as long as it is not for commercial use, is valid for the requested dates or until 31 December of the current year, can be renewed annually and it is mandatory to carry it at all times during the activity.
In an emergency, share coordinates in decimal format (lat, lon) and describe the access: path, track or visible reference. Carry a whistle and a coloured garment to indicate your position if there is a helicopter or rescue boat.
Before going, check the restrictions on official websites of the park or the town hall. If you have doubts, ask at the local tourist office: they know about specific closures and alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to a cove without clear signage?
Download offline maps and the GPX track of the path before leaving: mobile coverage fails in many coastal stretches. With no network on your mobile, guide yourself by physical references such as ravines and capes.
Respect private estates and do not cross through enclosed land, even if it looks like a shortcut. If you have doubts, ask at the local tourist office: they usually indicate authorised access and designated parking areas.
Is it safe to swim in these coves?
Yes, if you choose the right time and entry. Swim only when the sea is calm and without visible currents, and avoid jumping into the water without knowing the depth.
Enter via the sand or with water shoes, which protect your feet from the rocks. If there is no lifeguard, always maintain an easy exit point and do not swim alone far from the shore.
Are there areas for camping or bivouacking?
In most pristine coves, you cannot camp or bivouac (sleeping without a tent): natural parks and town halls prohibit it. If your plan is to sleep by the sea, check the regulations of the municipality and the protected area you are going to visit beforehand.
The alternative is to stay in nearby campsites or rural houses and return to the cove at sunset. This way you sleep with permission and enjoy the beach when the crowds leave.
What do I do with my rubbish and greywater?
Everything you take to the cove comes back with you. Carry a waterproof bag for waste and close it well before returning to the car.
Do not pour soapy water onto the ground or into the sea. Soaps, even if they are biodegradable, alter fragile ecosystems in small coves.
Can I use drones for photography?
In natural parks and ANEI areas, you generally cannot fly a drone without a permit. Before flying, check the AESA regulations and those of the specific protected area.
Often, the best photo is captured from the path at sunrise.
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Conclusion
Searching for hidden coves is a way to reconnect with the sea, with the silence, and with the territory. With planning, respect, and common sense, those coves will continue to be shared treasures and not massified settings.
Choose your stretch of coastline, confirm the sea and wind report, and get up early to enjoy the best light. Upon your return, share your experience and help others to travel with care: the echo of a responsible visit lasts longer than any footprint in the sand.
