Águilas beaches: Playa de Poniente

One of the most popular beaches in Águilas with a full range of services

The Playa de Poniente is one of the most popular of the beaches in Águilas, and year after year is awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for the facilities and services provided and the Q for Quality award. 

The beach lies at the western end of the built-up town centre of Águilas, between the Puerto Deportivo Juan Montiel and the Rambla del Charco, a flood channel which divides it from the Playa de la Colonia and the headland on which the Castillo de San Juan stands. It measures 1.1 kilometres in length and the average width is quoted at 40 metres, although in some parts this huge expanse of fine yellow sand is significantly wider, particularly behind the artificial reef which has been installed half way along it.

This is the eleventh beach in the series of 36 Águilas beaches which run along the 28 kilometres of Águilas coast, working from the Almería coastline in the west down to the Lorca municipality and marks the start of the urban beaches in the municipaliity, after a series of wild coves and undeveloped coastline.

Its urban location means that for ten months of the year parking is easy in the many residential streets which run down to the promenade from Calle de Iberia, but of course in July and August the situation changes significantly, and the issue of where to leave the car can be a difficult one. The best bet if no spaces can be found right next to the seafront is to head uphill from Calle de Iberia towards the Chimenea de La Loma and accept that a 5- or 10-minute walk will be needed.

Buses also run along Calle de Iberia and offer an alternative means of reaching Playa de Poniente.

The facilities at the beach are numerous, and include children’s play areas and foot showers all year round. During the summer there is also pedal boat hire, beach volleyball, daily cleaning of the sand, a lifeguard and first aid point which is manned from 11.00 to 19.00, special access points for those of limited mobility, public toilets and a tourist information point. There are also ramps installed to improve access down onto the sand and toilets adapted for disable use.These services are also offered on a reduced basis during the month of June, Easter Week, Carnival and at weekends and on public holidays in December and January.

Beach bars are open only in the summer, but due to the urban location of Playa de Poniente the off-beach facilities are also more numerous than at any of the beaches which lie further to the west in the municipality of Águilas, with various bars, restaurants and shops within easy walking distance of the sand. 

More information about Águilas including beaches, what to see, what's on and tourist information can be found on ÁGUILAS TODAY