Agua Amarga holidays

Agua Amarga holidays have more greenery than your typical Spanish beach break – this place is nestled in a natural park.

A different side to Spain

Agua Amarga’s a tiny town on the south-east coast of Spain, and it couldn’t be more different than some of the built-up resorts elsewhere in the country. Holidays here have more olive trees and wildflowers than high-rise hotels, as this hidden gem’s located in the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park. Fun fact – this UNESCO-listed site is the largest protected area on the Mediterranean coast, and it’s home to lots of sheltered swimming coves you can only get to on a hilly hike.

All about the beaches

When you’re not trekking along off-the-beaten-path trails, you’ve got your pick of sandy shores to wiggle your toes in, from rocky ‘calas’ to cliff-lined beaches ideal for snorkelling. There’s a great little beach just a stone’s throw from the centre of town, where fishing boats pull up onto the shore with the catch of the day. Speaking of which, fresh seafood is all over restaurant menus in this place, along with traditional tapas dishes. Plus, even though Agua Amarga’s usually pretty quiet, things liven up at the beach bars come sunset.

Be a tourist for a day

There’s no need for FOMO when you holiday here. Even though this place might seem miles away from popular sightseeing spots, it’s less than an hour’s drive away from Almeria, one of Andalucia’s standout cities. Highlights here include a big cathedral, a museum and some of the best-preserved war shelters in Europe. The Mesa Roldan Tower, meanwhile, is even closer. It might not sound familiar, but you’ll recognise it if you’ve seen Game of Thrones – this 18th century landmark was one of the filming locations in season six of the hit TV series, and it’s just a 10-minute drive away.