One of the many pleasures of Vejer is its accessibility to local beaches (10km. away & no more than 10mins. by car) while not being a 'beach' town. You can choose between an immense 12km long beach of fine sand or a series of sandy coves where fresh water trickles on to the beach through the sandstone cliffs above. Cape Trafalgar (scene of the famous battle) is just 15km. from Vejer and its white sand beaches are quite unblemished by any type of development. In fact this area is famous in Spain for the 'virgin' quality of the beaches, although development is increasing. Beaches are almost empty all year except July & August where at weekends the popular beaches get saturated although not anywhere to the level of the big toursist resorts.. If you are adventurous there are plenty of remoter beaches to discover.
From 15.07-15.09 the beaches at Conil, El Palmar, Barbate and Zahara have facilities (life guards, showers etc.) - all other beaches are devoid of any services. Note: as yet there is no direct bus service to the local beach but there are services to other beaches, 20min by bus.
Popular BeachesEl Palmar
10km. from Vejer. Vejers closest family beach is a 12km. stretch of golden sand. The centre area has a few restaurants & some unintrusive houses however to the south & northen extremes unaccessible by car the cows graze overlooking the dunes. Empty most of the year a perfect place for lazing, walking or surfing. An exposed beach it is affected by strong winds. All services at high season & a few restaurants open most of the year (see Where to eat).
Trafalgar Bay
14kms. from Vejer the beaches here are overlooked by the imposing Trafalgar lighthouse. This is of course the scene of the famous battle & the 'Playa de la Almas' (the beach of Souls) gained its name after the fight was over & the bodies washed up on the coast. Two beaches flank the promontry. The 'Almas' beach is very exposed to dangerous currents while the 'Playa Trafalgar' is protected. No services all year & no residential development around.
Los Caños
15kms. from Vejer the beaches here are narrower than most in the area. Passing the unsightly apartments a line of stout palms overlooks the beach below. Well protected from waves & currents and set in a natural cliff backed bay this is a perfect family beach. The beach is flanked by the Breñas Nature Park & some residential development. No services most of the year. Nudist section to the far end under the cliffs.
Zahara de los Atunes
18kms. from Vejer. The longest beach in the area this massive stretch of white sand is accessible along half its length. The other half is property of the Ministry of Defence although the nearby barracks turn a blind eye in the summer to sunday beach goers. Services along the Zahara town section. Exposed to winds however some protection can be found at the Atlanterra end.
Mangueta beach
11km. from Vejer. Well done if you find the access via the 'Bar Saboy' between El Palmar & Zahora. Little parking but a small bit of undisturbed paradise most of the year.
Zahora beach
12km. from Vejer. Another beach with complicated access. Follow the signs to 'Zajorami'. An extension of 'Playa de las Almas' go here if you have kids as in low tide the reef locks out the sea turning the beachfront into a huge natural swimming pool.
Playa de los Alemanes
22km. from Vejer. Beyond Zahara beach & before the Camarinal lighthouse. Set below the exclusive millionaires retreat of Atlanterra this bay is subject to powerful currents. Beautiful location. No services, bars or restaurants.
Remote beaches
Find them for yourself!