Surf and good vibes on the wildest beach in Andalusia
There are a thousand adjectives that could be used to describe the wonders of a beach like this. But why tell it when it's better live it. Therefore, we have approached El Palmar to know the characteristics that make this piece of the Cadiz coast one of the places favorites of those who travel south.
Almost five kilometers of tasty sand where to lay in the sun, ** learn to surf ** or have a good cocktail while the sun goes down underwater are some of its strengths.
So put on your best clothes for any of these plans, because this is one of the epicenters of the Cadiz posture. You want to look good in the photo, right? Well don't forget the table or rent one: its geography and location makes it have some of the best waves of rights for many miles around.
The best right hello are here
Not long ago, this beach was a little paradise barely trodden by surfers . But its conditions, its environment and its waves attracted more and more people : those who practiced this sport and those who only they looked.
Nearly die of success and before the mass tourism put an end to the exceptional nature that surrounds it, the City Council of ** Vejer de la Frontera ** -municipality to which it belongs- decided to put the place in order, eliminate elements from the arena and try to bet on sustainable tourism.
Therefore, today you can enjoy one of the most striking aspects: the absence of buildings along the coast. And even about her, because until recently there was beach bars on the sand itself.
This urban absence is what gives it an even more wild . And, also, it helps to create this sensation the fact that next to the beach there are real field: cows grazing, donkeys braying and chameleons balancing on small branches of junipers and sea junipers. This little reptile is one of the symbols of the local wildlife and who must be respected to the fullest.
Active or relaxed: you choose the plan
Park the car, go through the wooden walkways and let yourself be carried away by the philosophy of a beach where life Its enjoyable in every moment. How you do it is up to you. There are thousand plans to taste El Palmar!
WHAT TO DO IN EL PALMAR?
One of the best plans, without a doubt, is lie in the sun with a good umbrella and let the hours pass. But there are other options too. active. Like learning to surf, since surely El Palmar is one of the best places to give the first steps in this sport.
"Its waves of rights, hollow, are known all over the world ", says José Reimundo, from the school of El Palmar Surfing , opened in 2002.
He gives classes to anyone interested in learning this sport, for which it is required elasticity and a lot of desire. "One of our goals is that whoever tries, get hooked ", adds Reimundo, through whose academy they have already passed more than 5,000 people.
Welcome to Paradise
An average course is about five days, but there are also other options and even surf camps , which also includes accommodation.
Although his school is open during all year, El Palmar also has other diverse alternatives to learn to ride the waves, among which are ** 9 feet , A Frame , La Luz , Homies , South Coast , On the spot , On the sea , El Palmar Surf Academy , Beltxa Surf .** It will be for options.
Another great idea is to visit the nearby towns to this piece of coast. ** Vejer de la Frontera is the most spectacular.** Alleys of white houses where you can get lost, views of the region of Janda and numerous restaurants to enjoy the best gastronomy of Cadiz and even let yourself be surprised by a dramatized visit .
The corners of Vejer are unforgettable
Conil , of course, is another success, with numerous gastronomic options and corners in which you still decide to stay and live. It's also a good idea to go through Zahara of the Tuna and, if you fancy a road trip for any reason, the white villages route it is a wonder. Do not hesitate either to walk around the surroundings of the trafalgar lighthouse when evening falls.
WHERE TO EAT (AND DRINK) ?
The gastronomic options next to the beach of El Palmar are more than varied . There is something for everyone, pockets and stomachs. A wonderful option is to stop by the restaurant The Ensign , launched by the Alférez family just 30 years Their specialty is the ** almadraba tuna from Barbate.**
One of the most exquisite dishes is the baked parpatana in asparagus cream , but you also have to try the Parpatana carpaccio with fig and mango sorbet or the assortment of salted fish. From there: carpaccio of white loin with a scratch of cocoa, tuna cutlet baked in yakiniku or the tartare. And beyond, rice with shrimp , shrimp tortillas, octopus or black rice.
El Alférez, pure delicacy
"We try to give some modern touch , but the basis of our cuisine is tradition ", says Beatriz Alférez, one of the sisters who today manages the business. For dessert you have to try the cheesecake. And, if you feel like staying, they have ten rooms.
To keep track of the local cuisine, the restaurant is located very close Francis House, the usual , a safe bet a step away from the sand. Founded in 1961 , Is one of the most ancient from El Palmar. It has two terraces and four interior rooms so you can choose the place you like best.
His letter is fusion of tradition and avant-garde, with tuna, retinto veal and seasonal fish as protagonists. One dish stands out: the Almadraba red tuna slice on a base of fried ratatouille with soy sauce and oysters.
Meanwhile, at ** La Torre ** you can try a scrambled egg cuttlefish and black pudding from Vejer , a shrimp and corvina wok with garlic in American sauce or different fish of the day and numerous rice dishes and ways to serve tuna.
To celebrate the closeness with Morocco, they serve a delicious couscous, and to honor the old Vigia tower which gives its name to the establishment, they offer a dish tower-shaped based on aubergines, tomato and zucchini.
At Casa Francisco, the usual one, there is always sun
from your terrace almost touched the sand and its interior dining room even has swings so you can have lunch or dinner in a more fun way. Every evening, in addition, they accompany the sunset with live music and tasty cocktails. "It's a great point of fun and meeting ", underlines Rafael Guerrero, its manager.
For its part, in ** El Pico de la Ola ** there are delicious salads, burgers (with vegetarian and vegan options) and a dozen pizza.
While, in the brewery you can always enjoy numerous Caps and portions of cuttlefish, marinade, tuna with onions or salmorejo, without forgetting its rich montadito of pork rinds.
for whoever wants travel with the palate without leaving El Palmar, masala it's your place. just opened a few months , in May, fruit of the traveling life of the italian couple formed by Andrea Ridolfi and Silvia del Monte. "When traveling, the first thing you face is the food each place. And that we passionate Andrea says.
His gastronomic proposals focus above all on Asian food, especially Indian and Thai . Although there are also inspirations from middle East (hummus, taboulé) and nods to local cuisine, such as smoked tuna In addition, on Thursdays in August they celebrate themed dinners dedicated to countries like Mexico, Ethiopia or Sri Lanka.
This couple comes with the experience of a restaurant with this same philosophy in his country , in the city of Pesaro, but after seven years they decided to exchange their land for Cadiz.
"El Palmar is a place special . We have traveled a lot and it reminds us of sites from Mexico or Thailand . And its sunsets we haven't seen them anywhere", underlines the Italian. In fact, in Masala you can savor them together with delicious cocktails such as Foginho, based on caipirinha, ginger and chilli.
Another option is to go through the beach bar Cortijo The Postman , where in addition to delicious dishes there are many fun, live music and good atmosphere to lengthen the day and get lost in the night. It's also all you have on Source , one of the places Fashion from El Palmar and where you can spend the day (and part of the night) enjoying yourself.
WHERE TO SLEEP?
There are also many options to rest after an exhausting day at the beach. Nexo Surfhouse It's a great place. His philosophy is very surfer, so if you want to practice this sport you will surely find many others hobby people like you.
In the garden of Nexo Surfhouse
There you can also spend time yoga , to read or walk in bike . 250 days of waves, 300 days of sunshine and 400 meters of garden are some of the figures that can convince you to stay there. Another option is Miramar , an accommodation made up of five houses looking out to the Atlantic.
A little further from the beach, but only a few minutes away, the recently opened Hotel Ritual El Palmar , first accommodation focused on the public LGBTI of the province of Cádiz although "openly friendly". It has rooms and, also, independent villas, In addition to two swimming pools, hot springs, sauna and spa , gym and an area nudist.
In addition, the area is plagued by rural houses , many of them with swimming pool, if what you are looking for is even more privacy and feel for a few days that you live in paradise . And of course there is also the alternative of sleeping bag, backpack and tent at the ** Camping El Palmar ,** where you can also rent a bungalow .
HOW TO GET?
The ideal is to arrive in private vehicle. There are buses, but it is not always easy to use. For the car, there are two options, depending on where you arrive from. If it is done from the area of Seville (where to go when starting from Madrid or the north ) you have to take the road to Border Conil and, from there, enter the road CA-2144 in the direction of Vejer de la Frontera. Along the way you will see the indications that will take you to The Palmar.
Destination: El Palmar
If you arrive from the east, the reference point will be Vejer de la Frontera and, once past the town, just where the road CA-2142 turns into the highway A-48, take the detour towards Vejer and the indications until The Palmar.
WHEN TO GO?
July and August are the months of high season of this beach, days when the sand is filled with e towels and umbrellas , surfboards ride the waves almost anywhere and there are good atmosphere almost anywhere you go. For those looking for something more than tranquility, May, June and September These are their months: most establishments are open, reservations are not always necessary and the beach is quite quiet.
But the area deserves a getaway even in the cold months that, here in the south, are not so cold. first because walk along the beach when it is deserted and a little rain falls has some special that it is difficult to explain; second, because here is always a good time to Learn to surf . And, third, because of the rurality: in winter is beautiful and the surrounding towns have much to offer you to complete the trip. El Palmar awaits you at any time!
El Palmar, also in winter