On Saturday, we took a drive to the Cabo de Gata to have lunch at our favouite beach, Agua Amarga. It is under an hour’s drive and a little further afield than one would normally go perhaps, but we love it here so much it is always worth it. Somehow, it doesn’t seem very Spanish at all – it is a small curved bay, rather than the usual beaches in Spain that stretch for miles and miles – it is a little jewel in this region and one of Spain’s blue flag beaches. It was once a tiny fishing village, but it seems now that people from all over europe have holiday homes here to get away from it all. Remote and sleepy it is and the only month when it is packed is August, but then it is full of life and all the beach restaurants are busy with people in the holiday mood. The film Sexy Beast was filmed here – you can spot the villa on the left hand side as you drive into the village. I am always tempted to knock on the door and ask if I can have a look around!
If you do plan a day out at Agua Amarga, it is a good idea to get up and go early, as on the way is the beautiful pottery town of Nijar and so it makes sense to do the two trips in one. Go shopping for fabulous (and cheap) pots, cups, bowls, jugs galore. Wander the length of the main street for an hour or so and shop, have a coffee and then pile back into the car for the short drive from there to Agua Amarga. Head up the motorway on the way there, but make sure you come back via the scenic route for some spectacular scenery.
Yummy Almeria 