Playa de la Chullera

About Playa de la Chullera

Playa de la Chullera is a stretch of Manilva's coast at the western end of the Costa del Sol, just south-west of the fishing hamlet of El Castillo de la Duquesa. A rock-supported sea wall in the village marks the change: La Chullera lies to the west, El Castillo and La Duquesa to the east. Beyond it the shore runs on past Playa del Negro towards Punta Chullera, the last headland before the border with Cádiz province.

Compared with the beaches by the marina, this side is quieter and more natural. The sand is mixed with shingle, and much of the coast from here to the Punta is protected as an ecological reserve for its dune plants. Tuna was caught offshore with the almadraba, a fixed-net technique, until relatively recently, and two old watchtowers survive near Punta Chullera.

Facilities are basic: showers, public toilets and sunbeds in season, with bars and restaurants in El Castillo a few minutes' walk away. On clear days Gibraltar is visible to the south-west, and sometimes the coast of Africa beyond.

June and September are the best months, warm but less crowded than August. Mornings are best, before the afternoon breeze picks up and while parking in El Castillo's streets is still easy.

Playa de la Chullera in pictures

What you’ll find

• Beach sunbedsSunbed hireRent
• Pebble beachRest on beachFree
• Public showersWash bodyFree
• Public toiletsPersonal SanitattionFree
• Sandy beachRest on beachFree
• Sea shoreSnorkellingRentSwimmingFree

Nearby places to visit

Several neighbouring beaches are within easy walking distance. Playa del Negro (800 m) is the closest, a long, straight beach with low dunes and protected vegetation running south-west towards Cala de la Sardina. To the north-east, Playa de la Duquesa (1 km) runs past the old fishing hamlet of El Castillo and its 18th-century castle, with partially excavated Roman remains nearby, up to the marina and its bars and restaurants. Playa de Tubalita (1 km), below a steep headland, completes the set. Golfers can head up to La Duquesa Golf Country Club (2 km), a Robert Trent Jones Sr course above Puerto de la Duquesa.