Santa Maria Del Mar(La Playita de las Mujeres, Playa Los Corrales)

Located in the port city of Cadiz, Playa de Santa Maria del Mar is a small, narrow, and beige-colored sand beach that is situated in front of the Bay of Cadiz.  Playa de Santa Maria del Mar has been awarded Blue Flag by the European Union for its cleanliness and is nestled between Playa de la Victoria and Puerta Tierra’s Old Town.  Also known as Playa Los Corrales, La Playita de las Mujeres, and Playa de Santa Maria del Mar Beach, Playa de Santa Maria del Mar has two stone piers on its both ends that give it a shell-like shape and protects it from eastern winds.  The beach is also backed by a promenade that features palm trees, souvenir shops, restaurants, bars, and other shops.  

Playa de Santa Maria del Mar offers many amenities including lifeguards, restrooms, showers, handicap accessible features, and beach bars. 

There are many fun activities at Playa de Santa Maria del Mar including swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and beach walking.  

Getting to Playa de Santa Maria del Mar is very easy – there is a paid parking lot at Av. Andalucía, 59, 11008 Cádiz and after parking, you will need to walk four minutes west to get to the beach.  The beach can be accessed via stairs or ramps. 

If you are looking for attractions near Playa de Santa Maria del Mar, you can drive six minutes to Arco Del Populo, a historical landmark that is a popular archway in Cadiz - its interior walls are styled to match with the building techniques of Islamic walls of the 10th and 11th Century.  Santa Catalina Castle is a 17^th Century Italian-styled castle with a star-shaped floor that was built on a large rock and served as a military prison from 1769 to shortly before 1991.  Gran Teatro Falla is a performing arts theater that is located at Pl. Fragela, s/n, 11003 Cádiz and hosts many plays and concerts throughout the year – it also hosts the Carnival of Cadiz, one of the best carnivals in Spain that occurs every February.  Another great attraction near Playa de Santa Maria del Mar is Cadiz Museum that is located in an old Franciscan convent and modern building and houses a very popular 17^th-century Spanish collection including paintings, traditional puppets, and archeological artifacts. 

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants within a two-minute drive of Playa de Santa Maria del Mar.  Restaurante Charlotte Santa Maria features seafood rice, shrimp scampi, nachos with beans, provolone with mushrooms, and desserts.  Restaurante Charlotte Santa Maria also has a beautiful terrace with sunset views and serves international cocktails at very reasonable prices.  Mare’s is an authentic Spanish restaurant with modern countryside interior, a spacious terrace, and a menu that focuses on contemporary Mediterranean specialties including prawns, fried calamari, coca bread with vine tomato, and grilled razor clams.  Tirabuzon serves sardine, salads, pasta, pork, tuna, steaks, and cakes in a patio setting overlooking the sea.  Another good restaurant near Playa de Santa Maria del Mar is La Oveja Negra that offers oysters, sashimi, meatballs, tapas, and drinks - it has a small bar and prepares food using modern recipes and techniques. 

If you are looking for a hotel near Playa de Santa Maria del Mar, you can drive 12 minutes to the 4-Star Parador de Cadizthat overlooks the North Atlantic Ocean and offers many amenities including a pool, poolside bar, lounge, restaurant, spa, sauna, and gym.  Occidental Cadiz is a 4-Star hotel featuring a bar and restaurant that is located conveniently close to the nearby restaurants and local shops.  If you are looking for budget-friendly hotels near Playa de Santa Maria del Mar, the 4-Star Hotel Spa Cadiz Plazais a family established hotel with oceanfront rooms and suites, a café, a spa, and a sauna – and Hotel Regio Cadiz is a 3-Star hotel that is situated in the main street of Cadiz that offers awesome views of the nearby areas and has a nice lobby lounge.