About six kilometres east of Mazagón on the road to Matalascañas, the Parador Cristóbal Colón sits on a low sandstone cliff overlooking what is widely regarded as one of the best stretches of beach in the area. Unusually for this coast, where the shoreline is open and unprotected, this beach is sheltered by the cliff and the pine forest behind.
The parador itself is a four-star state-run hotel with a pool and gardens; the beach below is public and free. A wooden staircase descends from the cliff edge to the sand. The setting feels almost private, particularly outside high summer, and the swimming is calm.