This Surreal Beach in Spain Has 'Popcorn Sand'—How to Visit

Travel + Leisure

6 days ago

You've heard of white-sand beaches, black-sand beaches, and even beaches covered in pebbles or rocks—but did you know there's a beach in Spain covered in popcorn-like 'sand'? If you venture to Playa del Bajo de la Burra (which loosely translates to 'beach of the donkey's underbelly') on the northern coast of Fuerteventura, the second largest of the Canary Islands, you'll get to experience this natural phenomenon in person. Notably, there are also other beaches nearby, like Playa del Hierro, that have similar 'popcorn' features.
Commonly referred to as 'Popcorn Beach,' Playa del Bajo de la Burra has repeatedly gone viral for its photo-worthy sand, which, at first glance, looks just like the iconic movie theater snack, albeit without a hefty dose of butter. Unlike the edible version, however, this popcorn should not be eaten. And as tempted as you may be to bring a bit of it home as a souvenir, it's best to leave it where (and how) you found it. A close-up of popcorn-like sand.
Playa del Bajo de la Burra's popcorn sand isn't your typical sand. According to Canary Islands Tourism, it's made of a combination of 'calcareous algae and white sand over a period of at least 50 years.' These formations are also known as rhodoliths, which, thanks to weathering and the sun, are porous and relatively hard. The site also notes that rhodoliths grow underwater at a rate of one millimeter per year, and some are over 4,000 years old.
A 2022 scientific study that appeared in Frontiers in Marine Science explained their appearance in the following way: 'Rhodoliths occur extensively around the shores of Fuerteventura Island in the Canary Archipelago, with Lithothamnion cf. corallioides being the most prominent species. A large number of rhodoliths end up washed onshore, the debris from which contributes to the formation of sediments constituting modern beaches.' The authors also added that 'the growth, geographic distribution, and sustainability of rhodoliths are controlled by several factors, of which light, temperature, sedimentation, hydrodynamic regime, existence of marine barriers, and abundance of corals are vital.' Waves crashing on Playa del Bajo de la Burra, also known as Popcorn Beach.And remember, there's a very important reason why you shouldn't remove any of the sand from the beach. 'Rhodoliths are crucial for the establishment and maintenance of biodiversity and, thus, contribute to major ecosystem functions,' the study states, and the authors request 'a conscientious effort in the protection and maintenance of these valuable biological resources.' The study also cites the 'substantial amount of rhodoliths' that are 'removed from the beaches,' causing a 'threat to these ecosystems, as the debris of dead rhodoliths contributes greatly to the sediments that form the contemporary beaches.'
So feel free to take plenty of photos, but not the rhodoliths themselves. The landscape of Popcorn beach on Fuerteventura, Spain.
Alessandro Persiani/Adobe Stock
Playa del Bajo de la Burra isn't the type of beach where you go to sunbathe and swim. There are no loungers or umbrellas, and the water isn't known to be particularly great for a dip; past travelers share that the waves can be rough and 'too dangerous' for swimming. Instead, you're limited to walks, scenic picnics, and, of course, capturing all the content. Once you've checked seeing the popcorn sand off your list, spend your time exploring the rest of Fuerteventura—or retreat to the tiny adults-only Casa Montelongo (a 30-minute drive from the northern coast).
There's technically no bad time to visit Playa del Bajo de la Burra, but it's recommended to make the trek to the beach in the early morning if you want to avoid other tourists. The months of April to June and September to November are also when you'll typically experience good weather in the area.
Corralejo, located in the municipality of La Oliva, is the closest town to Popcorn Beach. You can reach the beach on foot, and the journey will take you at least an hour, if not more. There's also the option to drive to Popcorn Beach, although many travelers who have completed the drive share that it's 'just a dirt road, so [it] might be a little bumpy ride until you reach the beach,' and 'access is tedious.'