In Retamar, the beach, promenade and green spaces are central to planning a trip. The urban beach Playa de Retamar offers a different stretch of coast from El Toyo beach; Parque de El Toyo-Retamar adds cycling routes, walking paths and play areas. These differences can help you plan your free time around the landscape and activities.
Retamar between the Rambla and the Mediterranean
Retamar extends as a narrow, elongated strip for about three kilometres in a north-south direction, and is only a few hundred metres wide from east to west. The town’s layout runs parallel to the Rambla del Agua and ends at a roughly 600-metre-long seafront promenade that slopes down towards the Mediterranean. These measurements and directions give an overview of the town’s shape.
Playa de Retamar is an urban beach beside the residential area of the same name, next to the promenade. Its 600-metre stretch of coast consists of pebbles and coarse sand. From there, you can enjoy views of Cabo de Gata. The promenade at El Toyo beach, by contrast, is lined with palm trees and native plants. The two coastal areas therefore differ not only in name, but also in their respective beach and promenade landscapes.
Beaches, play areas and local cuisine
Playa de Retamar has designated play areas and a designated nautical area. This information identifies the areas available without specifying individual water sports. If you plan to use one of these areas, it is worth checking the current facilities beforehand.
El Toyo beach was regenerated in 2005 on the occasion of the Mediterranean Games. It is considered suitable for water sports, and strong surf is cited as one of its characteristic features. Sea conditions can vary from day to day and by season. This makes it a different coastal experience from Playa de Retamar, which is described as a mix of pebbles and coarse sand.
Plaza del Mar, with its restaurants and entertainment, is near El Toyo beach. At Playa de Retamar, bars serve typical dishes made with local fish. No specific establishments or individual dishes are named; for planning purposes, the main points of interest are the two different places to stop: Plaza del Mar near El Toyo and the beach bars at Playa de Retamar.
Green spaces and cycling routes
Parque de El Toyo-Retamar forms a three-kilometre-long green belt, varying in width from 60 to 600 metres. It has trees, shrubs, lawns, paved paths and shaded pergola areas. The park thus brings together different landscape features in an area that contrasts markedly with the open stretch of coast.
Parque de El Toyo-Retamar also has 2,300 metres of cycle path, children’s play areas and spaces for roller skating. Elevated pedestrian bridges offer wide panoramic views of the coast. These are distinct points to consider when planning a cycling or walking trip: the cycle path is part of the park, while the views from the bridges are associated with its pedestrian areas. If you plan to visit one of the bridges, check current access, as maintenance work may affect it.
The AlmerĂa-El Toyo Anthercas route links urban and coastal sections for cycling. It passes through planted areas, along promenades and on coastal paths. One planted section includes wooden walkways and viewpoints; the route also runs alongside the artificial lake at the Auditorio and passes bars in Plaza del Mar. This distinguishes the park landscape from a cycling route that takes in several types of coastal and urban spaces.
There are several details to help you choose a focus for the day: the pebbly and sandy coast at Playa de Retamar, the surf as a feature of El Toyo beach, or the paths and green spaces in Parque de El Toyo-Retamar. If you would also like to include cycling routes alongside time by the coast, you can plan separately using the information about the park and the AlmerĂa-El Toyo Anthercas route.
Discover more destinations: El Alquián, Cabo De Gata.
Return to the main travel overview: AlmerĂa.
