Cala Arenas, Gravel beach in Algeciras, Spain.
Cala Arenas is a gravel beach in Algeciras comprising three distinct coves that stretch approximately 400 meters along the coast. The shoreline offers views toward the Strait of Gibraltar and is framed by vegetation that lines the access path from the Getares district.
This location once contained ancient structures indicating a Phoenician harbor facility and a watchtower that monitored activity in the strait. These early settlement traces reveal the area's strategic importance since ancient times.
The location sits at the threshold between Europe and Africa, shaping how local people relate to the strait. Visitors use this spot to experience the proximity to the African continent and understand the area's unique geographic position.
Access is via a marked path lined with vegetation that begins from the Getares residential area. Public bus services connect this location to various parts of Algeciras, making it reachable without a car.
The seafloor and banks consist of marl, sandstone, and mica from the Eocene-Oligocene period, a formation known as Algeciras Flysch. This unusual composition makes the beach geologically significant and sets it apart from other nearby shorelines.
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