Location
Spain
Status
Unofficial / Tolerated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Mixed
Best season
June to September; May and October are quieter
About Playa de Cantarrijan
Cantarriján lies inside the Maro–Cerro Gordo Cliffs natural area, right on the border between the provinces of Granada and Málaga, a few minutes west of La Herradura (Almuñécar) along the old N-340 and about 6 km east of Maro. The cove is roughly 380 m of dark sand and small pebbles set under steep, scrub-covered cliffs, and the water is unusually clear and normally calm, which makes it a favourite for snorkelling. People have bathed nude here for more than 50 years, though today nude and clothed visitors share the beach. The first bay, with sunbed rental, showers and two beach restaurants, is the most mixed; the naturist core is the southern end and the second, wilder and stonier cove beyond it. One of the restaurants, La Barraca, has its own terrace where you can eat nude. A local group, the Asociación de Amigos de la Playa Nudista de Cantarriján (AAPNC, a FEN member), looks after the beach, pushes back against the growing number of textile visitors, and stages a national nudist gathering here every August. There is no lifeguard.
Getting there
Leave the N-340 between La Herradura and Maro and follow the narrow road that winds down through the protected area. In high summer private cars are banned on that road: sources give the restricted period as July–August or mid-June to mid-September. During that time you park by the old N-340 and either walk down the steep road or ride the seasonal shuttle minibus, which costs about 1–2 euros. Outside the restricted period you can drive down to a small car park near the sand. The climb back up is hot and steep. There is no step-free route onto the beach.
What visitors say
Guides and visitors describe Cantarriján as one of Andalusia's best-known nude beaches, with striking cliffs and very clear water. Most say the first bay is mixed and busier, and anyone who wants a fully nude atmosphere should head to the southern end or the second, more rugged cove. The summer shuttle and the steep road are the most common complaints. The beach restaurants, especially La Barraca, get good reviews for fish and paella. Some naturists report gawking or photography from clothed day-trippers on busy weekends.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Spain has no national law against nudity in public, and Cantarriján's nudist status rests on decades of custom rather than an ordinance. The beach is in a protected Paraje Natural, so access and vehicle rules apply in summer. The friction here is social, between nude and clothed users, and that is why the AAPNC was founded to defend nudist use.
Naturism at Playa de Cantarrijan sits under Spain's rules for de facto tolerance — usually left alone if you keep it non-sexual and low-drama.
Full country law: Spain public nudity guide.
Naturist status confirmed against an official source on 24 October 2026.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 36.7379, -3.7768
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Spain
Frequently asked questions
Is nudity allowed at Cantarriján?
Yes. It has been a nude beach by custom for over 50 years and is listed by the Spanish Naturist Federation. Clothed visitors also use it, especially in the first bay.
Can I drive to the beach in summer?
Not in high summer. Private cars are banned on the access road then, so you park by the old N-340 and walk down or take the paid shuttle minibus.
Where is the most nudist part?
The southern end and the second, stonier cove beyond the main bay, where the atmosphere is more consistently nude.
Are there facilities?
Yes: two beach restaurants (one with a nude-friendly terrace), sunbed rental and showers. There is no lifeguard.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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