Playa de Zahara de los Atunes

About Playa de Zahara de los Atunes

Playa de Zahara runs along the southern edge of the village of Zahara de los Atunes in Barbate municipality. From here the sand runs south-east past the Atlanterra development to the headland of Cabo de Plata, about 4 km away and just inside Tarifa municipality.

Playa de Zahara is wide and golden, backed by dunes and low-rise housing, and stays relatively uncrowded away from the village. It holds the Blue Flag, and near the village there are lifeguards and a first-aid post in high season, toilets, showers and summer beach bars. About 50 metres off the old fort, the wreck known locally as El Vapor shows at low tide; it is said to be either the SS Gladiator, sunk in 1893, or the Gibralfaro, which ran aground in 1902.

Cabo de Plata is a small headland with the ruins of Second World War bunkers and clear water that suits snorkelling. Beyond it, the cove of Los Alemanes is sheltered from the levante, the strong, hot easterly that can sandblast the open beach.

June and September are the best months. Check the wind forecast first, and time a walk for low tide to see the wreck.

Playa de Zahara de los Atunes in pictures

What you’ll find

• Beach lifeguardSupervised swimmingFree
• Public showersWash bodyFree
• Public toiletsPersonal SanitattionFree
• Sandy beachRest on beachFree
• Sea shoreSnorkellingRentSwimmingFree

Nearby places to visit

North-west along the coast, Playa del Carmen (9 km) lies in front of the promenade of the tuna-fishing town of Barbate. Inland, Dehesa Montenmedio Golf & Country Club (14 km) has an 18-hole course laid out through wild olive, cork oak and pine woodland, and outside Benalup-Casas Viejas, Benalup Golf & Country Club (23 km) is a par 73 with views over the La Janda valley. Further west, beyond the cliffs of La Breña, Los Caños de Meca (16 km) and Playa del Cabo de Trafalgar (18 km), just north of the cape, are both wide, windswept Atlantic shores.