Cala Mundina is the most popular cove in the Serra d'Irta and one of the most photographed spots in Alcossebre. It sits right where the Malentivet ravine reaches the sea, marking the southern boundary of the Serra d'Irta Natural Park and its marine nature reserve. Behind it, pine woods and the hills; in front, very clear water and a coastline without buildings.
What Cala Mundina is like
It's a small inlet of fine sand and pebbles tucked between rocks. It isn't a beach for big towels and parasols: it's a natural cove, with no facilities, for swimming and looking at the seabed. Alcossebre's official tourism office rates its access as difficult, with a scramble down over rock.
How to get to Cala Mundina
- Head to the Alcossebre lighthouse, at the northern end of town. It's kilometre zero of the hills; we cover it in the guide to the lighthouse and Cala Blanca.
- Look for the cove below the lighthouse. Cala Mundina is right underneath, at the mouth of the Malentivet ravine. From here the coastal path continues north, following route 2 and the red route.
- Climb down to the cove carefully. Wear shoes suitable for rock and keep your hands free: a backpack is better than a bag.
Walking has an advantage: you don't depend on the park's regulated parking, which in summer requires a booking in the GVA Parcs Naturals app. You'll find all the details in access, booking and parking.
Cala Ribamar, next door
Very close to Cala Mundina is Cala Ribamar, also fine sand and pebbles and also hard to reach. It gives its name to the Ribamar track, the dirt track that enters the park from Alcossebre and runs through it to Peñíscola. You can combine both coves in one morning.
Tips for visiting Cala Mundina
- Go early. In July and August there's more room in the cove first thing and less heat on the path.
- Take everything you need: water, shade, food and a bag for your rubbish. There are no facilities at all.
- Water shoes for the pebbles and rocks.
- Snorkelling yes, fishing no. You're on the edge of the marine reserve, where spearfishing, shore fishing and shellfish gathering are banned. See what you can do in snorkelling and kayaking in the Serra d'Irta.
- No lifeguards. If you're with young children, Alcossebre's town beaches with lifeguards are a better choice.
- Outside the summer you'll have the cove almost to yourself: in spring and autumn it goes very well with a walk along the coast.
Photos of Cala Mundina
The best light is first thing in the morning: the coast faces east and the sun rises over the sea. From the top of the rocks you can see the whole inlet with the hills behind, and by mid-morning the water takes on the turquoise colour that appears in almost every photo of the cove.
There are more pictures of the Alcossebre coast and the rest of the park in the Serra d'Irta photos.
Staying near Cala Mundina
The Marcomar apartments, on the Marcolina estate, are less than 1 km as the crow flies from the lighthouse and Cala Mundina, at the foot of the hills. From there you can walk or cycle to the cove without taking the car.
Check availability at Marcomar
To discover the rest of the coast, carry on with all the Serra d'Irta coves or the park map.