Location
Spain
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Pebble
Best season
May to October
About Playa de los Muertos
Playa de los Muertos lies below the cliffs south of Carboneras, on the north-eastern edge of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park in Almería, with no buildings anywhere along it. It is a straight beach a little over 1 km long and about 30 m wide, made of fine white gravel and small pebbles mixed with pale sand, and it is famous for some of the clearest water on Spain's Mediterranean coast; it regularly features in national best-beach rankings. The name is linked to drowned sailors once washed ashore, since currents meet off this stretch. Nudism is accepted on the beach, and the nude bathing area is on the left side as you face the sea; clothed and nude bathers share the rest. The clear water makes it popular for snorkelling and diving. There is no shade or service of any kind, and the descent keeps numbers moderate even in August.
Getting there
Drive south from Carboneras on the AL-5106 towards Agua Amarga; the car park is beside the road and is paid in summer (users report around 5 euros in high season) and fills early. Three paths lead down: a 700 m, fairly steep path from the tourist information point; a shorter, steeper path from the car park; and the easiest route, a recent stone staircase from the Los Muertos viewpoint. Wear sturdy shoes rather than flip-flops, carry little and expect a hot climb back. Not suitable for reduced mobility. Boat trips from Carboneras also call here.
What visitors say
Visitors praise the water clarity and the untouched setting above all, and many call it one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain. Guides note that nude and clothed bathers share the beach, with the nude area on the left side, and warn that those who dislike nudity may not enjoy it. The main complaints are practical: the steep walk down and especially back up in the heat, the summer car park fee and early fill-up, the lack of any shade or services, and the gravel, which makes water shoes and a thick mat useful. Levante days bring rough, sometimes dangerous waves.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Public nudity is not an offence in Spain, and travel guides state that nudism is permitted at Los Muertos; it is not a formally designated naturist beach, and some listings do not mark it as nudist. It lies within the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, whose rules on camping, fires and vehicles apply. Swimming is discouraged in strong levante wind.
Naturism at Playa de los Muertos sits under Spain's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: Spain public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 36.9536, -1.8988
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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is nudity allowed at Playa de los Muertos?
Yes. Guides say nudism is permitted, with the nude area on the left side as you face the sea. It is not an officially signed naturist beach.
How hard is the walk?
Moderate. Paths drop down a cliff; the easiest is the stone staircase from the viewpoint. The return climb in summer heat is the hardest part.
Is there parking?
Yes, a car park on the AL-5106 that charges in summer and fills early in the day.
Are there any facilities?
No. Bring shade, water, food and take your rubbish back up.
Is it sandy?
It is mostly fine white gravel and small pebbles with some sand, so water shoes help.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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