Águilas beaches: Playa Canalicas

An attractive cove in the town of Calabardina 

This is one of those areas where the beach was probably one of the reasons for properties being built here in the first place, but where those properties do nothing to ruin the attractiveness of the setting. Apartments on the headlands to either side seem if anything to enhance the view out to the south over the Mediterranean, and while development is far from unobtrusive, neither is it excessive.

As befits its urban location there are some services and facilities at Playa Canalicas, including daily cleaning and bin emptying in summer, but in essence this remains an attractive small cove where bathers can enjoy the clear water of this part of the Mediterranean. Those searching for more facilities can head a couple of hundred metres further east to the main beach of Calabardina, while to the west is the long stretch of sandy and rocky coastline known as Playa de la Cola.

Calabardina is a collection of permanent and holiday homes, with local facilities and is hugely popular with holidaymakers due to its coastal location and its "out of town" air, tending to attract those who prefer the more rural and wild coastal beaches, yet enjoy a few home comforts at the same time.

Playa Canalicas is reached by turning south off the RM-D15 road at the western end of Calabardina onto Calle de la Dorada, and then taking the second right (Calle Cotopaxi). A small parking area is available after around 100 metres – this gets crowded in summer - and from here there is a path down to the beach.This is negotiable with a pushchair, but both the slope and the lack of slatted walkways on the beach make it an inappropriate venue for anyone of limited mobility hoping to spend a day at the beach.

There is no beach bar at Playa Canalicas, but in the streets nearby there are a few small shops and eating establishments. Most of the restaurants and bars of Calabardina are located along the main beach, on the other side of the headland which stands to the east of Canalicas. 

How to get there and parking

Calabardina is located on the RM-D15 road in the south-western corner of the municipality of Águilas, and can be reached from Águilas itself by heading eastwards out of town on the RM-D14 from the junction on the ring road just north of the Águilas Plaza shopping centre. 

Those approaching from other directions should also head for the RM-D14 road. From Lorca take the RM-11 motorway south towards Águilas and head east on the ring road, and from Cartagena and Mazarrón take the exit at kilometre 866 on the AP-7 toll motorway and follow the signs towards Calabardina and Cabo Cope. 

The bus service which runs between Calabardina and Águilas provides an alternative means of access, and for those cycling along the Águilas coastline this is a popular stopping off point. 

Parking is off-road alongside the RM-D15, with room for around 100 cars, and even in summer it is normally not hard to find a space, although logically the area nearest to the beach bar can become rather crowded. 

This is the twenty third beach in the series of 36 Águilas beaches which run along the 28 kilometres of Águilas coast, working from the Almería coastline in the west down to the Lorca municipality and offer both urban and wild beaches.

Click for full list of Águilas beaches

The map below shows Playa de la Cola. Canalicas is at the eastern end of the beach in the midst of the urban lump interrupting the coastline.

More information about Águilas including beaches, what to see, what's on and tourist information can be found on ÁGUILAS TODAY