ANDALUCÍA - ALMERÍA - MOJÁCAR - CHIRINGUITO MANACA

Sep 2

3 min read

CHIRINGUITO MANACA

To get to Chiringuito Manaca from Mojácar, drive past the Hotel Indalo on the road from Mojácar to Carboneras. Continue straight inland and take a left at the third roundabout onto Playa Macenas. You will see the Castillo de Macenas just before the Macenas golf course extends inland.

Drive past Chiringuito Macenas, where you can stop for a drink or some tapas, and continue onto an unpaved dirt road that isn’t in great condition. This road initially runs along a narrow cliff edge overlooking the sea, then winds through canyons as it moves inland.

Drive past the Torre del Pirulico, winding around the large house on the mountaintop. You will see stunning scenery during the drive; it is completely passable by car with due caution.

Although the track is rough and bumpy, you will eventually see a beach below on your left; keep driving. This beach is lovely for swimming, but it has no facilities.

When you reach the end of the road, you will arrive at Playa del Sombrerico and Chiringuito Manaca. This beach is located approximately 4 km from Playa Macenas to Playa Sombrerico. Most visitors discover this beach by following the same route. It tends to be quite crowded with cars in July and August, but very quiet at other times of the year.

Chiringuito Manaca dates back to 1972 and is the remnant of a hut built for the filming of “Treasure Island,” directed by John Hough and starring Orson Welles. Situated in a hard-to-access area, it offers a serene contrast to the bustling atmosphere of neighbouring Mojácar, of which it is a part. The chiringuito occupies a corner of the beach, featuring a small, average-sized cove with rocky shores and dark sand.

Open from 10 am to 8 pm, the thing to eat here is seafood paella.

Fideuà, a dish similar to paella, but it is made with fideos, which are pasta noodles instead of rice.

Almejas a la marinera (clams fisherman’s style).

Mariscos fritos (deep-fried mixed seafood).

The locally caught fresh fish, like Dorada (gilthead bream) and Gallo San Pedro (John Dory)

The red galanes are a small Mediterranean fish that is particularly prized in the Almería region. Also known as raor or raó (especially in the Balearic Islands), these fish are very famous in Carboneras and along the Almería coast. Their flesh is white, delicate, and sweet, while the skin becomes especially crispy and flavorful when fried. They are typically served whole and fried, sometimes with a light dusting of flour. During their peak season, they are in high demand among locals and tend to sell out quickly.

The only item left from Treasure Island is salad Orson Welles (which includes lettuce, fruit, and pink cocktail sauce). During the summer, lunch, starting at 3 pm, becomes quite busy with a mainly Spanish clientele. It’s important to book paella and fideuà in advance.

Finish with a carajillo (a Spanish drink combining coffee with brandy).

Or café cortado (coffee solo with a dash of milk)

The Chiringuito is surrounded by cacti and native vegetation, which conceal the chirping crickets signalling the approaching heat. From its large windows, you can enjoy views of the sea and coastline. After lunch, it’s the perfect time to head to the beach for a quick stroll, take a nap, or enjoy a refreshing dip in the sparkling blue Mediterranean. Just a heads up, there can be quite a few nudists in the area.