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Latest update: 27 July 2023
It’s really not more than a street with a few houses on top of a cliff. Los Caños de Meca is a hamlet but a mecca for windsurfers and wave surfers. And for people who just want to chill out. Because in Los Caños de Meca, you can let go of everything and do a lot of nothing. Love it!
Los Cańos de Meca: from hamlet to mecca
Los Caños de Meca is one of the coastal spots on the Spanish Costa de la Luz. In the sixties, many hippies came to Los Caños de Meca, and you can still notice that: the atmosphere is über relaxed, and there are plenty of nudist beaches. In the summer, the hippie hamlet is popular with Spanish celebrities. During that period, you can regularly listen to live music at Camping Cameleón (here).
The name Los Caños de Meca means as much as ‘the pipes (or conduits) of Mecca’. A bit strange, right? The name comes from the natural water pipes in the cliffs that run down to the naturist beach Pequeña Lulu.
To the beach in Los Caños de Meca
The most popular beaches of Los Caños de Meca are Playa de los Caños de Meca (Google Maps location) and Playa del Faro (Google Maps location). At the latter, you’ll also find the lighthouse of Trafalgar. The Battle of Trafalgar was fought here on the beach and in the sea. The British defeated the Spanish-French troops with Napoleon in 1805 but at the cost of 5,000 lives and 4,000 wounded. The British war hero Lord Nelson was also killed in the fights: he was shipped back to England in a barrel of rum – an interesting preservation technique.
Keep in mind that it can be windy all year round on the Costa de la Luz and also in Los Caños de Meca. A cooling breeze is lovely in the summer, but getting sandblasted is less fun.
Things to do in Los Canos de Meca
Sights? There are actually none in Los Caños de Meca. There are Roman ruins, but that’s just one remaining wall. Not that impressive (Google Maps location). There are rocks, dunes, beaches, sea, and pine forests. That’s it. In winter Los Caños de Meca is a ghost town. Only when the temperatures rise, Los Caños de Meca comes to life.
Discover the cliffs and the La Breña park
But what you can do in the winter (or at a cool moment in the summer) is to take a nice walk on the cliffs. The La Breña Natural Park connects Los Caños de Meca with Barbate. Expect forests, beautiful views, and high cliffs. The Sendero de Acandilado route is about 7 kilometers long and takes you to Barbate – the trail starts here. Of course, you can also turn around halfway through. 😉
The first part from Los Caños de Meca is tough because you walk through loose sand and go up and down. The second part is a mostly paved path. Halfway you will come across the watchtower Torre de Tajo. It has been there since the 16th century and is an excellent place for a short break. Would you rather go with a guide so that you also get some information about the region? You can. Try this walking tour.
This is also a good area for mountain biking. See if this tour is for you.
Hotels in Los Caños de Meca
Los Caños de Meca is tiny. You will only find small-scale accommodation. Many people choose a campsite in Los Caños de Meca. Try Camping Cameleón or Kampaoh Los Caños, for example. You can stay in beautiful pre-set tents at both. If that’s not for you, take a look at:
- Mandala Bungalows: simple, clean bungalows.
- Las Casas de las Flores: nice apartments with a private garden.
- Fortuna: beautiful, freshly decorated rooms right by the sea.
- El escondite de Noah Y La Sirena: studios and apartments, swimming pool by the ocean.
- Hotel – Restaurante La Breña: nicely decorated rooms, and the restaurant is good according to the reviews!
More Spain inspiration?
Helpful links for your Spain trip
- Accommodation. All-time favorites: Booking.com and Campspace. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. You book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide and Viator. Another good option is WithLocals. And Freetour.com and GuruWalk both offer ‘free’ walking tours, while Baja Bikes has bike tours.
- Attractions and museums. Get a 5% discount at Tiqets on museums and attractions with the discount code: KIMOPREIS22
- Boat. You can catch a boat to Mallorca from Barcelona, for example. Book your ticket at Balearia. You can also get to the other Balearic Islands with Balearia. Compare ferry prices at Direct Ferries.
- Bus and train. Travel to Spain with NS International or Flixbus. Other useful companies are Busbud, 12go, and Omio, also for buses and trains within Spain.
- Car rental. My go-to car rental companies are EasyTerra and Sunny Cars as they have all-inclusive / worry-free offers. Want to compare more prices? Check out Discover Cars.
- Flights. Have a look at Transavia and Vueling, but do compare prices! Definitely check out Momondo, Skyscanner, and Kiwi.
- Money. Your debit and credit cards may not get accepted everywhere. You could opt for a Revolut card as an additional card when you travel.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? From The Netherlands, there is plenty of choice. ANWB vakanties, Tui, Shoestring or Sawadee, of rather D-reizen, Sunweb, Corendon or Vakantie Discounter?
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high calling and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Travel gear. Buy your gear at Bever or Decathlon, or simply at Bol.com.
- Travel guides. Let’s get you ready for your trip! Order a travel guide to browse through. For example, at Bol.com or Amazon.
- Yoga retreat. Or why not treat yourself to a yoga retreat in Spain!
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