Playa de Quitapellejos

About Playa de Quitapellejos

Playa de Quitapellejos is the beach of Palomares, in the municipality of Cuevas del Almanzora on Almería's Levante coast. It runs for about 1,400 metres, with golden sand mixed with gravel. It lies away from the built-up area, backed by a dense wood of pine and eucalyptus.

The beach has an unusual place in history. In January 1966 a US B-52 bomber collided with a refuelling aircraft over Palomares and dropped four hydrogen bombs on and off the coast. That March, Spain's minister of information and tourism, Manuel Fraga, swam here with the US ambassador, Angier Biddle Duke, in front of the world's press to show that the water was safe.

It has held a Blue Flag for several seasons, and it is well equipped for such a quiet spot. There are lifeguards, toilets, showers, wooden pergolas for shade, food and drink, a sports area and adapted access with amphibious wheelchairs. A footpath and cycle lane link it to the road, and there is unguarded parking for more than 100 cars.

June and September are the best months for warm water and easy parking. Arrive in the morning to claim a pergola before the midday sun, or come in the early evening when the heat drops.

Playa de Quitapellejos 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

Immediately to the south, El Playazo (1 km) continues the sand across the municipal boundary. Further on, Playa de Puerto Rey (4 km) is a long, well-equipped urban beach near the mouth of the Río Antas, where a small lagoon attracts migrating birds. Golfers have plenty of choice. Desert Springs Golf Club (4 km) is the closest and is known for its desert-style landscaping. Valle del Este Golf (9 km), in the municipality of Vera, and Club Marina Golf Mojácar (9 km) are a little further away. With a car, it is easy to play a round in the morning and swim in the afternoon.