Las Alberquillas Beach

You park up top, on the dirt areas beside the N-340, and walk down a dirt-and-gravel path of about 300 metres, fairly steep and slippery in places. It takes 5-10 minutes down and 10-15 back up, which is hard work in the heat with a load. Wear closed shoes, not flip-flops, and travel light. It is not suitable for pushchairs or people with reduced mobility.

Facilities: none

There is no lifeguard, beach bar, showers, toilets or bins on the beach. Bring plenty of water, food, a parasol and water shoes, and take your rubbish back up. There is hardly any shade, except under a few trees in one part of the beach. At one end a small freshwater spring trickles out, which some people use to rinse off. For food, try the bars in Maro, 10 minutes by car, or, in summer, the beach bars at El Cañuelo.

What it is like

The shore is pebbles and gravel with some sand, and getting into the water there are large stones: water shoes are essential. The water is very clear and the rocks at either end are full of fish, so it is very good for snorkelling; the protected zone where diving is not allowed starts just to the west, in front of Molino de Papel. When the wind blows, the waves pick up. It is wide and hardly ever fills up; in winter, on sunny days, it is quite lively too. Nudism is common and tends to be at the right-hand end as you come down.

Bear in mind: there have been many car break-ins at the parking area in recent years, so leave nothing on show. Wild boar come down looking for food: keep it packed away and do not feed them. Camping is not allowed. To the west is Molino de Papel and to the east, Torre del Pino cove; all the coves in the area are in our guide to Maro beaches.