Playa de Los Cristales, Beach with sea glass in Gozón, Spain
Playa de Los Cristales is a beach in Gozón on Spain's northern coast characterized by a mix of sand, pebbles, and smooth glass fragments scattered across the shore. The cove has a rugged character framed by rocks that give it a dramatic and wild appearance.
The beach took its name from a former glass factory that discarded waste materials which transformed over decades into smooth, polished fragments. This industrial past continues to shape the unusual character of the shore today.
Local fishermen maintain traditional fishing practices at this beach, contributing to the preservation of maritime heritage in northern Spain.
The beach lacks basic facilities such as restrooms and lifeguards, with parking limited to a small unsupervised area. Access is via a narrow path, so arriving early helps secure a good spot.
The smooth glass fragments came not from nature but from decades of industrial waste tumbled and polished by waves and time. Visitors often collect the glossy pieces as souvenirs, giving the shore its distinctive glittering quality.
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