Playas del Negratín

About Playas del Negratín

Playas del Negratín are freshwater beaches on the shore of the Negratín reservoir, close to the dam, in Cuevas del Campo, a village of around 1,800 people at about 855 metres in the north-east of Granada province, some 115 km from Granada city. There are two zones: a beach for swimwear and a signposted naturist area, which is often described as Andalucía's only inland nudist beach.

The reservoir, nicknamed the 'Mar del Altiplano', is the third largest in Andalucía, about 20 km long and up to 1.5 km wide, and more than half of its water lies within Cuevas del Campo. Around it stretches the semi-desert landscape of the Granada Geopark. Kayaking and sailing are popular. On land, the Chimeneas del Negratín walking route leads to a watchtower carved into an eroded earth pillar, and the Mirador del Campillo looks over the water.

Access is free and the beaches are open all year. Services vary by season, so check locally what is running. The village itself is known for its cave houses, some rented to visitors.

The summer season, from July into early September, is the time to swim. Inland heat is fierce at midday, so come in the morning or late afternoon.

Playas del Negratín in pictures

What you’ll find

• Beach boatsBoat rentalRent
• Sandy beachRest on beachFree

Nearby places to visit

Across the reservoir, Playa de Freila (6 km) is a gently sloping bathing beach on the southern shore, easily combined with a drive round the water. Further afield, La Inmaculada Cave Museum (42 km) is in Purullena, a village known for its cave houses, and makes a natural stop on the road towards Guadix and Granada. North-west, in Jaén province, the St John of the Cross Museum (65 km) occupies part of a former Carmelite convent in the Renaissance town of Úbeda, on the spot where the mystic poet died. Distances in the Altiplano are long, so plan these as separate outings rather than a single loop.