For some people, vacations can be almost as stressful as the daily routine. Above all, in times of vacation rentals at affordable prices per fortnight and the need to amortize the investment. Both money and time invested in planning them many months in advance. Many times almost fighting to find a place. However, summer can still be easy. And we are going to prove it to you.
Only 169 inhabitants, a past linked to an ancient fishing technique (the almadraba) and a present between low houses, boats and long dips. You don't come here to show off or to be seen. You come to this small town on the coast of Murcia to slow down and forget about the rest of the world.
Andy Roberts
What to see in Calabardina
Calabardina is not a town of essentials or monuments, and that is part of its charm. Everything revolves around its promenade, the beach and the old pier that still stands as a witness to when fishing catches were unloaded. There are no museums or churches that require you to open Google Maps, but there are scenes from real life that look like little postcards: stranded boats, cats in the sun, neighbors who know each other by name.
Calabardina beach is the real center of everything. With fine sand, calm and shallow waters, it is one of those places where the sea comes gently to the shore, without surprises, almost as if it did not want to attract attention. However, beneath the surface the Posidonia meadows turn bathing into something more interesting than it seems: there is life, movement, small fish that appear without you realizing it.
And then there is the constant presence of Cape Cope, which acts as a natural guardian of the landscape. It is not only a beautiful backdrop but it defines the character of the place, protects it from the wind and gives it that air of refuge.
Linda Hartley
Where to eat delicious and cheap in Calabardina
Eating well in this town in the Murcian municipality of Águilas is not complicated. The menu is based on simple products, generous portions and prices that don't hurt.
On the seafront, El Bar de Miguel is one of those mythical places that are already part of the natural landscape. With traditional dishes and that traditional bar atmosphere where a cold beer always tastes better. Ideal for rice or tapas after the beach.
Another highly rated option is the Miramar Calabardina Restaurant, where fresh fish is religion and the location (literally in front of the sea) does the rest. Luxury is not in the menu, but in eating while looking at the Mediterranean.
Ruben Laguna
And if what you want is something more informal, Chiringuito Calabardina meets everything expected of this type of establishment: portions served quickly, a relaxed atmosphere and that improvised touch that summer calls for.
What to do around Calabardina
If you get tired of the main beach, the surrounding area has plenty to offer. Very close is the Cabo Cope and Puntas de Calnegre Natural Park, a space where the coast becomes wilder and less family friendly. There the plan changes from the beach, eating and siesta to hiking by the sea, more hidden coves and spectacular views.
The routes that border the coast are simple but very grateful, with that type of landscape that mixes scrubland, rock and open Mediterranean. It is not high mountain, but it does not lack adventure either.
Linda Hartley
And if being in the water is more your thing, this is also a good place to snorkel or dive. The clarity of the water and marine life mean you don't need to go far to see something interesting.
Of course, just a few minutes away by car, the city of Águilas is the perfect getaway to add the cultural touch to your vacation. Here you will find a livelier promenade and historical corners such as the Castillo de San Juan de las Águilas or its fishing port, where terraces, ice cream parlors and the classic Mediterranean summer atmosphere abound. It is the perfect contrast to get out of the silence of Calabardina for a while and have a more urban afternoon plan without going too far and without having to give up the sea.
Calabardina will not have design hotels or restaurants with a waiting list, but it has something better that is almost a luxury right now: the feeling that time is going slower.
Cover photo | Gregory
