La Herradura - Beautiful Village in a Protected Natural Area

Leaving Almuñecar behind, 8 km towards Málaga, we find La Herradura, shaped like a horseshoe. This fishing village, with its steep white streets, retains its Castilian name, which refers to the shape of its coast.


La Herradura is a very small town, more like a district that depends on Almuñécar. Its beautiful bay, in a horseshoe shape, is framed by the eastern headland of Punta de la Mona on one side and the cliffs of Maro Cerro Gordo on the other.

Cerro Gordo is a protected natural area located on the far western end of La Herradura, bordering Málaga.


There is a lot to see in La Herradura. The beaches of La Herradura are among the best on the Costa Tropical. In its surroundings, there are numerous facilities dedicated to tourism, including hotels and restaurants.

Its amazing seabed is teeming with corals, anemones, sponges, and some of the best meadows of Posidonia oceanica in the Mediterranean Sea.


Its exceptional seabed is considered a Special Protection Zone, reaching depths of up to 50 meters in some parts.

All along the village shore there is La Herradura beach and right on the border with the province of Málaga, you can find the Cantarriján, a nudist beach.

What to See in La Herradura

Up to 250 different species live in this wonderful marine reserve, making it a must-see in La Herradura. However, if the underwater world isn't your preference, it's also an ideal place for windsurfing, hiking, and bird watching.

The Castle of La Herradura and the "Fury of the Sea"

The castle of La Herradura is an 17th-century fortress that can be visited today as an interpretation center of the shipwreck that the Spanish Navy suffered on this beach on October 19, 1562.

In the exhibition, you will discover how on that fateful day, the waters of La Herradura became the tomb of the 5000 men who were on the 5 frigates that sank.

Only 3 frigates from that expedition survived of Philip III's Navy.

The castle itself was built much later, in 1764 by order of Charles III to protect the area from pirates.

This was done with the help of the watchtowers of Cerro Gordo and Punta de la Mona, which issued alarm signals if they spotted any suspicious ships.

The castle or fort of La Herradura was used by the Spanish army until 1839. Then, it passed to the Carabineros Corps and finally to the Civil Guard, which utilized it until 2003.

Cerro Gordo Watch Tower

Walking up to the Cerro Gordo Watchtower and crossing the pine forest and Mediterranean scrub will reward us with fantastic views.

At the top of Cerro Gordo there is an ancient watchtower that offers fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea: to the east, the beaches of La Herradura, and to the west, the abrupt cliffs and the coast of Malaga.

The Cerro Gordo Tower was built at the end of the 16th century with the sole mission of warning in case of sighting pirate ships. In the 18th century, it was equipped with a small cannon.

Today, this tower stands as one of the most spectacular viewpoints of the Costa del Sol, offering beautiful sunsets and featuring a lovely restaurant with stunning views.

It's definitely a highly recommended place to visit in La Herradura.

Punta de la Mona Lighthouse

A pleasant excursion to enjoy in the area is to climb the Punta de la Mona Lighthouse.

This watchtower of Nasrid origin was reconstructed at the end of the 18th century and employed, alongside Cerro Gordo's, to alert of potential pirate invasions or to monitor smuggling activities.

In 1990, it underwent renovation, and a modern lighthouse was installed, which remains in use today.

In its vicinity lies a beautiful pine forest and a viewpoint from which you can admire, on one side, La Herradura, and on the other Almuñécar.

It is surrounded by highly exclusive urban developments, and if you wish to continue walking, you can ascend further and eventually reach Hermitage of San José and Santa Rita.

The Chapel of San José and Santa Rita

Near the Punta de la Mona Lighthouse, in the Marina del Este neighborhood, is the Chapel of San José and Santa Rita. It is a tranquil and picturesque spot, surrounded by pine trees and offering views of the tropical coast extending to Motril and the bays of Almuñécar and La Herradura.

This chapel is more than a place of worship; it is a sanctuary for reflection and serenity. Surrounded by nature and offering breathtaking sea views, it provides a welcoming retreat for all visitors.

The chapel is well-maintained and hosts masses during the summer and Easter seasons.

Additionally, a morning walk from Cotobro beach to Punta de la Mona, including a visit to the Punta de la Mona Lighthouse is an excellent way to experience the beautiful natural environment.

The area is free from traffic, making it very peaceful and immersed in nature. The viewpoint next to the hermitage offers spectacular views, especially at sunrise.

What to do in La Herradura

Cerro Gordo Protected Natural Area

At the western end of La Herradura, when the Sierra de la Almijara descends to the sea, we encounter the impressive Cliffs of Maro Cerro Gordo.

This part of the coast was declared Paraje Natural in 1989 occupying approximately 400 hectares that are distributed between the provinces of Granada and Málaga.

The cliffs form numerous caves and grottos, some of which are underwater. Additionally, there are small coves for quiet bathing and a rich marine fauna, including several species of dolphins.

That's why diving enthusiasts come here every year to admire its unique corals, with more than a century of life, and its variety of marine invertebrates such as anemones, sponges, and starfish.

Up to 250 different species inhabit this wonderful marine reserve, undoubtedly something worth seeing in La Herradura. However, if the underwater world is not your thing, it is also an ideal place for windsurfing and bird watching.

Cerro Gordo Hiking Route

It is a walk that strikes a balance between urban and natural environments. It begins at La Herradura Beach on Baranquillo Street, in front of the kayak rental point, and meanders through the Marina del Este developments.

• Before entering the path, you descend a narrow set of stairs that lead to Punta de la Mona, a popular meeting point for fishing enthusiasts.

• From there, the path leads towards the Punta de la Mona Lighthouse, which was built on the site of an old watchtower. Descending from the lighthouse, you can access the coastal path known as Los Pescadores.

• Throughout this route, you can enjoy impressive views of Marina del Este and its port, the cliffs that separate La Herradura de Almuñécar, and the picturesque descent to the naturist beach of El Muerto.

• For the return trip, a recommended option is to take the city bus if you prefer to avoid retracing the same path.

Marina del Este

The Marina del Este marina is located in a very beautiful area of La Herradura, near the Punta de la Mona Lighthouse.

Here, services such as the rental and sale of berths, slipway service, boat maintenance, and other nautical services are offered.

There are also several companies that offer fun nautical activities.

This luxurious tourist complex is an attractive destination in La Herradura, perfect for taking a stroll, visiting its shops, or enjoying a coffee or a meal in one of its restaurants and cafes.

If you're looking to swim, head to Marina del Este beach, located on the other side of the port in the cove of Berengueles at the foot of Punta de la Mona.

It's a small beach, approximately 250 meters wide, ideal for snorkeling and diving.

There's parking available, a small beach bar, and sun lounger service with umbrellas.

Kayak and Paddle Surf Routes and Rental

La Herradura Beach stands out for its impressive natural environment on the Costa Tropical. Surrounded by cliffs and crystal-clear waters, it offers a peaceful refuge with gentle waves, making it ideal for families with children and perfect for activities such as kayaking and paddle surfing.

Nimo Aventura offers kayak and paddleboard rentals for all ages, allowing visitors to explore this unique marine environment.

They also offer guided tours of approximately 2 hours, during which you can explore fascinating caves and snorkel to observe the local marine ecosystem.

To enjoy La Herradura in a fun and exciting way, whether by kayak or paddleboard, you can book one of these tours around the cliffs of La Herradura:

Las Palomas Pool in La Herradura

La Piscina Las Palomas is a place with a pool and gardens, children's play areas, and friendly staff who speak several languages.

It is a great option for people who prefer the pool over the beach, offering a quiet environment to relax and enjoy cocktails.

The facilities are well-maintained, with new decorations for the hammocks.

Prices: admission is 10 euros for adults and 8 euros for children under 10 years old.

Address: Las Palomas, Urb, 18697 La Herradura, Granada. 10 minutes from Camping Cerro Gordo.

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Small beautiful village surrounded by mountains

La Herradura (horseshoe shape) is a small village but there are plenty of activities that you can do there.

Many good restaurants right on the beach, some just next to the sea called chirrignuitos. La Herradura is famous for scuba diving, you can have introduction lesson in English for 60-80 euros, you can rent kayak, surf or kitesurf board, go fishing, etc.

It’s also great place for hiking, there are several routes just next to the sea, there is also a lighthouse and old watch tower on each side of the village.

It also offers stunning scenery from the mountains,