If you're looking for a charming spot on the AlmerÃa coast, Algarrobico beach is a must-see. It's located about 4 kilometers north of Carboneras, in the heart of the province of AlmerÃa, and the most common way to get there is by taking the AL-5107 road towards Mojácar. Its most remarkable feature is that it's nestled within the unspoiled natural beauty of the Cabo de Gata-NÃjar Natural Park , giving it a stunning landscape.
Despite its beauty, this place is more than just sand and sea; it's the setting for one of Spain's longest and most talked-about legal battles. Everyone knows the famous concrete monstrosity that looms on the horizon, a hotel that never opened its doors and which has served to highlight the mismanagement of the Spanish coast and the violation of the Coastal Law.
Features and natural environment
Stretching approximately 1350 meters in length and averaging 37 meters in width, this beach is a true treasure of golden sand and small pebbles . Swimming here is a delight, as the waters are usually very calm, although it's worth noting that it's a nudist beach and can get quite crowded during peak season.
Access is easy, whether on foot, by car, or even by sea. Being protected as part of a natural area, you won't find the typical amenities of urban beaches with sunbeds and beach bars; here, the preservation of the landscape is paramount , although there is an unpaved track along the coast and an unsupervised parking area for visitors.
The El Algarrobico Hotel conflict
The story takes a turn in 1999 when the construction company Azata del Sol purchased over 16 hectares in the area for approximately 2 million euros. In 2003, the Carboneras town council approved the construction of a 21-story hotel with more than 400 apartments. However, the project was flawed from the outset, encroaching on the protected easement , a 100-meter strip where construction is prohibited by law.
This sparked outrage from groups like Salvemos Mojácar and Levante Almeriense, who took the case to court. They were joined by Greenpeace, which turned the building's facade into a canvas for protest, painting slogans like "Illegal Hotel" and even covering the structure with giant green banners to demand its immediate demolition.
A never-ending legal labyrinth
The road to demolition has been a true legal ordeal. There were moments of hope, such as when construction was halted in 2006, and others of utter frustration. Over the years, there have been contradictory rulings: some chambers of the High Court of Justice of Andalusia even declared the land suitable for development, while the Supreme Court ultimately ratified that it is an environmentally protected area.
- In 2007 an expropriation was attempted but was later halted to avoid paying millions in compensation to the construction company.
- Various politicians, including Manuel Chaves, promised its demolition two decades ago, but it never happened.
- The Prosecutor's Office has even charged former councilors of Carboneras for crimes of malfeasance when changing the soil rating.
In early 2025, the issue resurfaced with renewed government promises to put an end to this "environmental outrage" within five months. The government intends to expropriate approximately 16.423 square meters, arguing that the land is classified as non-developable rural land , ignoring the existence of the building, which it claims should not legally exist.
Social context in Carboneras
It's important to understand that not everyone in Carboneras viewed the hotel negatively. Due to the area's underdevelopment and an economy heavily reliant on fishing and seasonal tourism, some sectors saw the resort as an opportunity for economic growth and employment . This social divide between the highly skilled and unskilled workers added a layer of human complexity to the legal conflict.
Beyond the concrete, the area is rich in history. Near the beach is Punta del Rayo, where the Torre de la Carbonera once stood, built in the 16th century by order of Philip II. This tower, destroyed by lightning in the 18th century, is the origin of the current name of the Torre del Rayo , which continues to watch over the AlmerÃa coastline.
Algarrobico beach remains a wonderful destination for those seeking tranquility and nature, even though its skyline is still marred by that architectural ruin. The final resolution of this conflict, which ranges from expropriation without compensation to forced demolition, will determine whether the area finally recovers its original natural state and is rid of one of the most controversial urban planning scars in Spain.