la playa de Carnota (beach)

In addition to its horreo, Carnota also boasts Galicia's largest and arguably best beach. The stretch of sand found at Carnota extends over 7 kilometres (about 5 miles) in length and unlike most of the region's other beaches directly faces the open sea.

There are several paths and routes leading to this long beach, but one of the best is the one that you find in Carnota town. This narrow road leads you to a parking area that is attended by security personnel and has an ice cream cabin plus shower facilities by the parking area. A short distance before this parking area there is a fairly large cafe and restaurant.

Right, the main boardwalk that takes you over the dunes at la praia de Carnota.

Like many of Galicia's better beaches, you walk from the car park over an area of grassy dunes by way of a timber boardwalk. The beach is about 400 metres away.

Carnota beach is stunning. It really is massive and it arcs its way around a large open bay. The sand is fine and white and the sea is crystal clear with every reflected hue of blue and green. Carnota, unlike many of the ria beaches, has plenty of waves, but the seabed is level and there are no worrying undercurrents. Lifeguards are also on patrol and this is definitely a family friendly beach. To add to its appeal, the backdrop behind it includes mountains and little hillside villages and its distance from Carnota town ensures that there are no distractions to interrupt your sea or sun bathing.

The shear size of Carnota also makes finding an isolated spot away from everyone else easy and on a windy day there are plenty of sheltered areas in the dunes behind the beach. Although generally regarded (at least by those in la Coruna) as Galicia's best beach, Carnota never seams overly busy, probably because of its size. Another boon of Carnota is the sea temperature, which for some reason is always 2 or 3 degrees (centigrade) higher than that of the beaches near Fisterra or in the Noia Muros bay.

Right, another view of the long beach at Carnota.

We went to la praia de Carnota on a number of occasions and, although slightly off the beaten path, it is definitely one to try out if you are in the general vicinity. We would give it top marks for facilities, sand, ocean temperature (by Galican standards) and especially its overall stunning aspect. Nude bathing is allowed.

In 2007 Carnota was voted the second best beach in the world by a panel of travel experts, writers and presenters. Although I have always found this to be a great beach, I was slightly surprised at such a high rating. However, in 2012 some friends showed us a series of photos that they initially led us to believe were of some beaches in the Caribbean that they had visited during a cruise. After we had expressed our admiration, they told us that the photos were in fact of Carnota, and in particular of a small area to the north end of the beach. Unfortunately I rarely take a camera to the beach, so I have no photos. Needless to say this part of the beach, with amazing stone formations and little sea filled lagoons, explained why the beach was regarded so highly.