Life can be a beach

 

The Almanzora valley sweeps down to meet the sea at El Playazo; a 7Km sandy beach, at one end of which is Villaricos and the dry Almanzora river itself.

Stretching away in each direction are a myriad of other beaches of white, gold and black sand, shelving rock and pebbles all washed by an exceptional clean, clear sea. Fish are plentiful here and there is some great snorkelling and diving, including sub aqua schools. The coast offers superb sailing and overnight anchorage off deserted beaches.

You can choose whatever you prefer; water sports, beach bars, lots of company or the remote tranquillity of small beaches reached only by boat or on foot. No high rise buildings obtrude. The coastal towns are much as they always have been and the villages are traditional fishing villages with small fishing fleets and friendly local bars and restaurants.

Beaches North of Villaricos

 

The choice is yours....

Stretching away in each direction are a myriad of other beaches of white, gold and black sand, shelving rock and pebbles, all washed by an exceptionally clean, clear sea. Fish are plentiful here and there is some great snorkelling and diving, including sub aqua schools. The coast offers superb sailing with overnight anchorage off deserted beaches.

The beaches at Villaricos

The village sits at the very top of El Playazo, the 7 km long great sandy beach of the Almanzora coast, to which it is connected by the Boca del Rio beach that stretches across the mouth of the Almanzora River.

 

Villaricos has several beaches along its seafront, all within a few minutes walk:

• La Fabrica del Duro - The closest part of El Playazo, named after the “money factory”, the mint that was situated here in the time of the silver mining boom.  Very tranquil and little frequented, with a series of small sandy bays.
• La Boca del Rio – This is the broad stretch of sand that cuts across the mouth of the summer dry Rio Almanzora, again very quiet with few tourists, but popular for beach fishing.
• Las Brisas Beach – This long curved sandy beach is more frequented being closer to the village and being served by the popular Las Brisas Beach Bar, which is great for paella, sardines and long relaxed beach lunches.  There is a children’s play area near the Castillo de Cristal at the village end.
• El Castillo de Cristal Beach – Just the other side of the Castillo and reached from the Maritime Paseo, is this small sand beach, bounded by rocks on one side and the tiny La Balsica harbour on the other, where there is a delightful “chiringuito”, serving excellent tapas. 
• Cala Verde – This is a black pebble beach, right in front of the village, with exceptionally clean bright water.  Somewhat uncomfortable under foot, it is nevertheless the beach of choice for the local villagers.  Excellent for snorkelling, the remains of the old iron “embarcadero” of the mining days are still visible on the sea bed beyond the mirador.

 

There are a myriad of other beaches small and large, popular and less frequented, with beach bars and without, stretching to the north and to the south of Villaricos, all within easy reach by car.