Cabo de las Huertas on the coast of Alicante is nothing short of the perfect mixture of tranquil natural beauty, pleasant private beaches and a great destination for practicing sports: such as windsurfing, surfing, scuba diving and snorkeling.
Located just south of the famous Playa de San Juan, the calas (coves) are relatively simple to get to. We rode the tram from Alicante city to the Tridente stop and then walked from there. It took about 15 minutes from the stop to reach the area, and we had to walk down a steep desert valley before reaching the first cala.
We walked the entire length of the horn along the water’s edge, which gave us the opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of the rock formations, such as the various “overhangs” that were formed by the erosion of the rocks over time.
I noticed that most of the people also brought a softer mat, such as a yoga mat, to put under their beach towels because there is very little sand and the only other option is the lay on the hard (and hot) rock. When present, however, the sand was golden and soft, providing the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sun. Plus, the water was super clean and clear.
What you will notice very quickly about a visit to the calas is that they are a popular destination for nude sunbathers, either by themselves, with a friend or partner and even in groups. This could be due to the privacy provided by the rock formations, or perhaps because the calas are not as simple to get to as the regular beach, so they were much less crowded.
Even though we were just walking through, I could get the sense of absolute natural serenity and relaxation that the calas provide for the sunbathers and I actually was a little jealous we weren’t joining! One older (and naked) gentleman even offered my brother a cold mojito as we passed through. In hindsight, I think we should have stayed; they looked like they were having a great time!
The three most well-known calas are La Cala de la Palmera, La Cala Cantalar and La Cala de los Judíos.
La Cala de la Palmera is located in the quiet residential zone. It is characterized by fine sand with a vibrant combination of rock types as well as clear waters that provide a great place to snorkel and see the various habitats.
La Cala Cantalar is located between the beaches and calas closest to Alicante. There are many trails and paths to go through this area, which even has a naturally protected section with native plants.
La Cala de los Judíos is a small bay located in a relaxed, residential zone, with fine small sand. It is one of the most popular sections because it is only accessible by walking or by mountain bike and therefore offers a private section.
Sources: Alicante City and Experience , Wikipedia , Cabo de las Huertas
