Playa de Calaiza

About Playa de Calaiza

Playa de Calaiza, also written Cala Aiza, is a tiny cove on the western edge of Almuñécar, below the Cerro Gordo headland between the bay of La Herradura and the naturist beach of Cantarriján. It is one of the smallest beaches on the Costa Tropical, about 55 metres long and just 12 metres wide.

The cove lies within the protected Maro–Cerro Gordo cliffs, a natural area that extends offshore over a seabed of caves and varied marine life. The sand is dark and the water usually calm. Nothing is built around it, and visitors are few.

There are no facilities at all: no bar, toilets, showers, sunbeds or lifeguards, so bring water, food and shade, and take everything away with you. Access is on foot only and the route is not well documented, so ask locally before setting out and wear proper shoes. Kayakers from La Herradura often stop here briefly.

Late May, June and September are the best months, with warm water and quieter roads around Cerro Gordo. Go early in the morning, before the heat builds, as there is no shade on the sand.

Playa de Calaiza in pictures

What you’ll find

• Sandy beachRest on beachFree
• Sea shoreSnorkellingRentSwimmingFree

Nearby places to visit

Round the Cerro Gordo headland, Playa La Herradura (2 km) is a wide bay of just over 2 km with a Blue Flag award, Posidonia meadows on the seabed and diving and water-sports companies, and Playa Marina del Este (3 km), at the eastern end of the bay beside the marina, is busy with snorkellers and divers. Beyond the Punta de la Mona, Playa El Muerto (4 km) is a naturist beach without facilities, reached on foot from Cotobro. Over the provincial boundary in Nerja, Playa del Molino de Papel (5 km) is another beach on this cliff coast, and Playa Puerta del Mar (7 km) is on Almuñécar's central seafront.