Tired of the beach in Spain? Escape to these stunning naturals pools in inland Malaga

WANT to cool off without grainy sand and salty skin? Say hello to Malaga’s inland swimming spots.

Although Spain is known for its sandy beaches and chilled chiringuitos, those who flock to the coast to cool off may be missing a trick. 

Inland Andalucia, Valencia, Mallorca and Murcia are also home to many stunning spots often missed by tourists. 

Fresh water pools make for a refreshing dip, without clinging sand and saltwater stinging your eyes. 

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Although finding an inland swimming spot can sometimes be a challenge, as they are frequently nestled in mountain ranges, caves and canons, it’s well worth the effort.

The Serrania de Ronda in Andalucia is undoubtedly one of the best places in Spain to cool off, with many rivers and streams running through the hills. 

Just an hour away from the Costa del Sol is the Rio Genal, a popular bathing spot for locals of Algatocin and Jubrique. 

The river is a great option as you can walk through it to reach many different pools, or ‘charcos’, each quieter than the next. 

Plug ‘Venta de San Juan’ into your GPS and after an hour of snaking through mountain roads, you’ll arrive. 

Park along the road or in the small car park of ‘Camping El Genal’, before making your way down to the first pool, known as ‘El Puente’. 

Found under the El Puente de San Juan, the spot is aptly named, ‘the bridge’. 

Here, there is plenty of space to set up camp, with concrete slabs under the bridge and surrounding the river. 

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The water is also quite deep here, making it perfect for a refreshing dip. 

However, the first of many pools, it can often get crowded and doesn’t have the same natural charm that those who wade further upstream can enjoy. 

Walking away from the road up the river, you will find Charco Picao, another deep pool thanks to the artificial dams built to trap water. 

This is by far the largest body of water and feels almost like you could be at the beach. 

Carrying on further, you will reach El Estrecho or ‘the thin one’, named after the rocks squeezing the river at either side. 

Be careful as you walk along as excitable children launch themselves from the rocks above into the water. 

It is possible to walk throughout most of the trajectory, even for short people like myself (I measure 5ft 3″) but it is recommended to wear water shoes, alongside a backpack you can hoist up to safety. 

The last pool, La Toma, boasts a small ‘natural jacuzzi’ as water bubbles over rocks to go downstream. 

Surrounded by leafy trees, butterflies and flowers, the clear waters are a relief from built up Malaga and you’ll want to come back for more.

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