This beach in Granada looks like the Caribbean and almost no one goes there during the week.

Anyone who has been there will say it's the most beautiful beach in the province of Granada, and they wouldn't be wrong. Because of the setting, the silence, the tranquility, and the clean water, Cantarriján , on Granada 's Costa Tropical, is simply extraordinary.

Until thirty years ago, this was practically a secret, but it's become widely known, and now everyone knows about it. This makes it a beach that's close to becoming crowded during the weekends in July and August. So, here's a tip: if you can visit from Monday to Thursday , even better.

The worst part about this secret getting out wasn't that so many people came, but that they did so by car. Cantarriján is literally under a cliff, like other nearby coves up to Maro , in the province of Málaga , almost a stone's throw from Nerja . To get there, you have to take a road almost a kilometer and a half long, and on the busiest days, the stretch closest to the sea was a veritable mess of cars parked haphazardly or struggling to get in or out.

Furthermore, this represents a danger for an area that has protection, since Cantarriján, within the municipality of Almuñécar-La Herradura , is in the middle of the Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs, a natural area and special protection zone for birds since 2002.

That situation, the sheer number of vehicles there, was incompatible with protecting the area, so since 2008, it's not possible to reach the beach by private vehicle, with very few exceptions between June and September. You have to take a shuttle bus that departs from an esplanade next to the old N-340. You have to park on that esplanade above.

The journey isn't very long and is rewarding. The first thing visitors see is a cove about 400 meters long, with no buildings around it and a very green setting. It has amenities: sun loungers and two restaurants serving reasonably good food, both fish and paella.

There's always a good atmosphere, and occasionally, especially in the evening, there's live music , both organized and improvised. The reference to the Caribbean isn't invented: after all, this is the Costa Tropical. Mangoes, avocados, and even coffee are grown nearby.

An important detail: nudism has always been practiced in this main cove. It was, in that sense, the first Andalusian beach to officially obtain the nudist designation. It's true that over time and with the gradual incorporation of more visitors—from the province of Granada and also from Malaga—swimming suits have begun to become more common, to the point that during the summer months, and especially on weekends, they are the majority. But naturists persist.

The Association of Friends of the Cantarriján Nude Beach is very active, in fact, and they organize all kinds of events—from wine tastings to weddings, including their unique "reefs," with nudists right on the beach to remind the textile workers that they were there first and that they're not leaving.

However, the coexistence between the two is not hostile. It is true that many naturists, seeing their space invaded, have gradually opted to move to a second, more secluded and also larger cove , separated from the main one by a rock, where almost 100% of the congregation practice nudism.

They don't have any beach bars, sun loungers, or showers—those are the disadvantages, as is the frequent presence of people in swimsuits who, using the excuse of strolling on the sand, take advantage of the opportunity to stare at naked bodies more than they should. Voyeurs are never welcome , and respect is paramount; everyone should be clear about that.

Respect includes respect for everyone's right to peace and quiet, both in one cove and another. Cantarriján is a perfect beach for relaxing and isolating yourself from the outside world, as there are no signs of it there. No rowdy noise, loud music, annoying games, or anything else is recommended. It is quite useful, however, to wear sunscreen and be well-equipped with an umbrella, because the sun is very hot. With all of the above in mind, the advice is easy: enjoy.