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Little laid-back Los Caños de Meca, 16km southwest of Vejer, straggles along a series of spectacular open white-sand beaches that will leave you wondering why Marbella even exists. Once a hippie haven, Caños still attracts beach-lovers of all kinds and nations – especially in summer – with its alternative, hedonistic scene and nudist beaches, as well as kitesurfing, windsurfing and board-surfing opportunities. Immediately northwest is the beach resort of Zahora and, northwest again, the salt-white sands of surfer beach El Palmar.
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Los Caños de Meca.
Nature Reserve
This 50-sq-km coastal park protects important marshes, cliffs and pine forest from Costa del Sol–type development. Its main entry point is a 7.2km (two-hour) walking trail, the Sendero del Acantilado, between Los Caños de Meca and Barbate, along cliff tops that rival Cabo de Gata in their beauty.
Tower
Poised above the Atlantic, with a peaceful lookout point, this 16th-century tower is the highlight of the spectacular, 7.2km Sendero del Acantilado, which tracks along the cliffs between Barbate and Los Caños de Meca through the Parque Natural de la Breña y Marismas del Barbate.
Lighthouse
At the western end of Los Caños de Meca, a side road (often half-covered in sand) leads out to an 1860 lighthouse on a low spit of land. This is the famous Cabo de Trafalgar, off which Spanish naval power was swiftly terminated by a British fleet under Admiral Nelson in 1805.
Beach
About 7km northwest of Los Caños, lovely, long El Palmar beach has Andalucía's best board-surfing waves from about October to May. In summer it's busy with surf schools, beach bars, horse riding, yoga and plenty more.
Beach
Los Caños' main beach, ideal for watching skilled kitesurfers at work, is straight in front of Avenida de Trafalgar’s junction with the A2233 to/from Barbate. Nudist beach-goers head to its eastern end.
Beach
Nudist beach-goers seek out secluded coves like this one at the eastern end of Los Caños' main beach.
Beach
Popular with nudists, this bleach-blonde beach sits immediately east of the Cabo de Trafalgar.
Beach
Zahora's broad, blonde beauty of a silky beach spreads northwest from Los Caños de Meca.