La Herradura Holidays: Beaches, Coves and Cliffs Guide
Provincia de Granada · Andalusia · Spain · 4,248 residents · on the coast
Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo.jpg/500px-033._Playa_de_Cantarrij%C3%A1n_(12932242634).jpg)
Playa de Cantarriján
La Herradura beach
Los Berengueles beach, Almuñécar
Cala del CañueloLa Herradura is a small coastal town of around 4,248 people on the Granada stretch of the Andalusian coast, sitting just 39 metres above sea level. Its own beach lies less than half a mile from the centre, and within three miles you will find a string of coves, two clifftop viewpoints, the Punta de la Mona Lighthouse and the protected cliffs of Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo. Three airports with direct flights from the United Kingdom sit within two hours' drive, Granada being the closest at about 45 minutes. Summers peak at 33°C in July and August, while April, May, June, September and November offer the most comfortable balance of warmth and dry days.
Why go
- La Herradura beach is under half a mile from the centre, with several more coves within three miles.
- The protected Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo cliffs lie about 2.5 miles away for coastal walks.
- Granada airport has direct UK flights and is roughly a 45-minute drive from town.
Top sights in La Herradura
Cliffs, Coves and a Lighthouse
The headline sight is the Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo, a protected natural area about 2.5 miles from town, where the coastline turns to cliff. Closer still, the Mirador del Peñón del Lobo viewpoint is around 0.7 miles away and the Mirador del Cerro Gordo about 1.7 miles out, both good for taking in the bay. The Punta de la Mona Lighthouse, roughly 0.8 miles from the centre, makes an easy short outing, particularly for couples.
Beaches are the main event. La Herradura beach is about 0.4 miles from the centre, and Playa de Cantarriján, a clothing-optional beach, sits around 2.1 miles away. Towards Almuñécar you have Playa El Muerto and Los Berengueles beach, each about a mile off, with Cotobro at 1.2 miles and Calaiza at 1.4 miles. Further along, Cala del Cañuelo is around 2.9 miles away and Cala Torre del Pino, near Nerja, about 3.5 miles.
There are 41 tours and activities in the area that can be booked directly through this page, with tickets and availability shown on the booking cards below.
1protected area- 2beach
- 3beach
La Herradura beach
In the centre · Photo
- 4beach
Los Berengueles beach, Almuñécar
1 mile from the centre · Photo
- 5beach
Cala del Cañuelo
3 miles from the centre · Photo
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6beach.jpeg/500px-Playa_Cotobro_Beach_(89654345).jpeg)
7beachCotobro
1 mile from the centre · Photo
8lighthouse
10beach
Q24023433
beach · 3 miles from the centre
Calaiza
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Mirador del cerro gordo
viewpoint · 2 miles from the centre
Tours & tickets in La Herradura
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around La Herradura can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in La Herradura
Choosing Your Base in La Herradura
La Herradura is a small town, so most places to stay are within easy reach of the beach, which lies under half a mile from the centre. Staying close to the seafront suits families who want to walk to the sand, while the edges of town put you nearer the lighthouse and the clifftop viewpoints.
If you prefer more going on in the evenings, neighbouring Almuñécar, about 2.5 miles away and with a population of nearly 28,000, is the larger and livelier option, leaving La Herradura as the quieter choice. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare what is available for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach La Herradura and the villages around it is a hire car from Málaga (AGP), about 1 h away.
Best time to visit La Herradura
When to Visit La Herradura
- 18°CJan24 mm
- 18°CFeb34 mm
- 21°CMar132 mm
- 23°CApr15 mm
- 25°CMay30 mm
- 28°CJun41 mm
- 33°CJul2 mm
- 33°CAug5 mm
- 28°CSept39 mm
- 25°COct74 mm
- 22°CNov19 mm
- 18°CDec16 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
April, May, June, September and November are the most pleasant months. Spring brings highs of 23°C in April and 25°C in May with only three or four rainy days, while September still reaches 28°C and November a mild 22°C with just two rainy days on average.
July and August are the hottest months, with highs of 33°C and nights that stay around 24°C, and they are also the driest, with barely any rain. March is the wettest month by volume, at around 132 mm, and October has the most rainy days, about ten. Winter is mild for the coast, with daytime highs of around 18°C from December to February and lows near 10°C.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18°C | 10°C | 24 mm | 9 h |
| Feb | 18°C | 10°C | 34 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 21°C | 13°C | 132 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 23°C | 14°C | 15 mm | 12 h |
| May | 25°C | 16°C | 30 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 28°C | 20°C | 41 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 33°C | 24°C | 2 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 33°C | 24°C | 5 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 28°C | 20°C | 39 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 25°C | 17°C | 74 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 22°C | 14°C | 19 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 18°C | 10°C | 16 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Getting to La Herradura from the UK
Three airports with direct flights from the United Kingdom serve La Herradura. Granada is the closest, about 32 miles away and roughly a 45-minute drive. Málaga, the largest of the three, is around 42 miles away and takes about an hour by car. Almería is further, about 76 miles, or roughly an hour and 50 minutes on the road. Car hire is the simplest way to cover the final stretch.
Driving the whole way from Calais takes around 24 hours at the wheel, so plan for overnight stops. The nearby ferry ports at Motril (about 12 miles), Málaga (about 38 miles) and Almería (about 71 miles) run routes to Morocco rather than to the UK, though they open up onward trips to destinations such as Melilla, Nador and Tangier Med.
By air
- Málaga (AGP)42 miles, about 1 h by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Granada (GRX)32 miles, about 45 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Almería (LEI)76 miles, about 1 h 48 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 23 h 43 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Motril (12 miles), Málaga (38 miles), Almería (71 miles).
La Herradura is good for
Around La Herradura
Day Trips Along the Coast
Almuñécar is the closest neighbour, only about 2.5 miles away, and the obvious choice for a larger town atmosphere. Nerja lies around 7.5 miles west, and the hill village of Frigiliana is about 9 miles away, while the small inland village of Otívar is roughly 6 miles from La Herradura.
Heading east, Salobreña is about 8 miles away and Motril, the largest town nearby with more than 60,000 residents, is around 12 miles. Torrox, also about 12 miles away, and Vélez de Benaudalla, roughly 14 miles inland, round out the options within easy driving distance.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips Before You Go
With just over 4,000 residents, La Herradura is a quiet place, so for a wider choice of shops and evenings out you may want to pop over to Almuñécar or Nerja. A hire car makes the coves, viewpoints and neighbouring towns far easier to reach.
In July and August the thermometer regularly reaches 33°C, so plan beach time and walks on the cliffs for the morning or late afternoon. If you are travelling in March or October, pack a light waterproof, as these are the wettest months of the year.
Questions people ask
Which airport is closest to La Herradura?
Granada airport is the closest, about 32 miles away and roughly a 45-minute drive, and it has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Málaga is about 42 miles away, around an hour by car, and also has direct UK flights.
What is the best month to visit La Herradura?
April, May, June, September and November offer the most pleasant conditions. May reaches around 25°C with few rainy days, and September stays warm at 28°C. November is milder at 22°C with only about two rainy days.
How hot does La Herradura get in summer?
July and August are the hottest months, with daytime highs of about 33°C and night-time lows around 24°C. They are also the driest months, with almost no rainfall, so expect strong sun and plan shade and plenty of water.
Is La Herradura good for a family beach holiday?
Yes. La Herradura beach is under half a mile from the centre, and further beaches such as Cotobro, Calaiza, Playa El Muerto and Los Berengueles are all within about a mile and a half, giving families plenty of choice.
Can you do a day trip to Nerja from La Herradura?
Yes, Nerja is about 7.5 miles away, and the hill village of Frigiliana is around 9 miles. Almuñécar, the nearest larger town, is only about 2.5 miles away, making all three easy outings with a car.
Can you drive to La Herradura from the UK?
You can. The drive from Calais takes around 24 hours of motoring, so most people break it into two or three days with overnight stops. Flying into Granada or Málaga and hiring a car is considerably quicker.