Cala Almadraba

Cala de l’Almadrava: A Quiet Edge of Benidorm A short distance from the spirited thrum of Benidorm, Cala de l’Almadrava lies folded into the rocky base of the Serra Gelada. Small, secluded in character and reached by a steep path, it offers a striking contrast to the long, highly serviced beaches of the city below. ### The Vibe: Here, the energy of Levante fades into the murmur of water moving between rocks. The air carries Mediterranean salt and the dry fragrance of scrub growing across the hillside above. There are no ranks of sun loungers or lively beachfront terraces—only pockets of sand, warm stone and a narrow strip of clear water. The cove generally attracts fewer visitors than Benidorm’s main beaches, although its limited space can make it feel busier during summer. Swimmers, snorkellers and sunbathers share the shore, and naturism is sometimes practised informally alongside conventional bathing. It is therefore better understood as tolerant and mixed rather than as an officially designated naturist beach. Its atmosphere is quiet and unpretentious. The city remains close, occasionally visible through gaps in the rocky coast, yet the curve of the land creates a temporary sense of removal—a place to listen to the sea and experience a less polished side of Benidorm. ### The Local Anchor: The name Almadrava recalls an important chapter in Benidorm’s maritime history. An almadraba was an elaborate system of nets, anchors and boats used to intercept migrating bluefin tuna as they entered the Mediterranean. Benidorm once maintained its own tuna fishery, which remained active until 1955. The town’s almadravers became especially renowned. Captains and crews from Benidorm were employed to manage tuna fisheries elsewhere along the Spanish coast and in North Africa, carrying their specialised knowledge far beyond their home port. The precise relationship between the historic fishing installation and this individual cove is not clearly established, but the name preserves the memory of a skill that once shaped the town’s identity. That maritime inheritance continues at the table through fish, tuna and rice dishes. An arroz a banda, cooked in deeply flavoured fish stock, or one of Benidorm’s traditional seafood rice recipes offers a more enduring connection to the coast than any romantic legend: the practical transformation of the Mediterranean’s catch into nourishing, communal food. ### The Landscape: Cala de l’Almadrava extends for approximately 100 metres beneath the rocky slopes of the Serra Gelada Natural Park. It is not a continuous sweep of golden sand, but a narrow mixture of fine sand, stones and exposed rock, enclosed by rugged coastal outcrops. The seabed is similarly varied, with sand giving way to rocks and areas of marine vegetation. In settled conditions, the water can be exceptionally transparent, making the cove popular for swimming, snorkelling and light diving. Its enclosed position often reduces the waves, although moderate swell can still reach the shore when wind and sea conditions change. Access is on foot by a steep and uneven path descending from the road near Punta de l’Escaleta. The route adds to the cove’s sense of separation but also means that suitable footwear and care are advisable. Facilities are limited, and there are no restaurants, parasol concessions or beach bars beside the sand. Almadrava is not entirely beyond the presence of Benidorm—the towers of the resort are never truly far away. Its beauty lies instead in the sudden transition between two worlds: dense city and protected hillside, broad urban beach and intimate rocky cove, familiar resort and unexpectedly natural Mediterranean shore.