Playa de La Rijana, Coastal beach in Gualchos, Spain.

Playa de La Rijana is a beach on the coast of Gualchos, tucked between tall rock cliffs that rise on both sides of the shoreline. The strip of sand is narrow and sits directly at the base of these cliffs, giving the spot a sheltered and secluded feel.

The cove served for centuries as a small landing point for fishermen from the nearby coastal villages. When mass tourism developed along the Costa Tropical, this beach was largely passed over, leaving it without the infrastructure built at other spots.

The name Arrayhana, used in the Nasrid period, came from the many wild arrayanes (myrtles) growing in the nearby ravines. The cove also served as a watering stop: ships from the 5th century took on fresh water from cisterns fed by the Zacatín stream. Remains of the cistern stand beside the Torre de la Rijana.

A stepped path leads down from a parking area near the N-340 road, and the descent is straightforward on foot. A lifeguard is present in summer, but outside that season the beach has few facilities, so it helps to bring what you need.

The western cliff of La Rijana is covered with shallow-water species that can be seen in less than a metre of water, including starfish and several kinds of spirorbid worms. The cove lies where Mediterranean and Atlantic waters mix, producing habitats that support orange coral and moray eels. It was the first non-urban beach in Granada province to receive the 'green flag' award.