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‘The Neverending Story’ (1984) is one of the films that marked the childhood years for many. It taught us to have courage and self-confidence, to avoid being dragged down by sadness when things got tough and to always try things even if you fail.

 

Based on the novel by German writer Michael Ende, it was first published in 1979. The story tells the journey of a hero, Atreyu, who has to save the ailing empress and her kingdom. At the same time, it introduces us to Bastian, a shy boy who is bullied and can’t tear himself away from reading this book. But what he doesn’t know is that he will be the one to save this enchanted place.

 

Although if we are talking about enchanted and magical places, there’s surely nowhere better than where it was filmed, in Almería. On the Playa de Mónsul beach, one of the most famous scenes from the movie was filmed, and you can visit this incredible beach for a trip down memory lane.

 

 

 

Barely 400 metres long and about 50 metres wide, this beach doesn’t have a very long strip of sand. But it does have one special feature that makes it unique from the rest: its volcanic past. On the beach you will discover the ‘peineta de Mónsul’, a large volcanic formation that divides the dark sandy area in two, and a large dune of lighter sand.

 

At Mónsul Beach you will not find showers, toilets or beach bars. It’s a different kind of beach – natural, unspoilt. The kind of place that makes you feel like you’re really in another world. And it’s the perfect beach to visit when the weather’s not quite right for sunbathing…

 

 

‘The Neverending Story’ is not the only movie to be filmed here. Mónsul Beach has been the setting for many other well-known films and music videos.

 

Director Steven Spielberg fell in love with its beauty when he chose it to film ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’ (1989) with Harrison Ford and Sean Connery, in the place where Connery’s character suddenly remembered his Charlamagne, saying “Let my armies be the rocks, and the trees, and the birds in the sky”.

 

 

And this wasn’t even the first time Connery set foot in this paradise, as he was also here 14 years before to shoot the adventure film, ‘The Wind and the Lion’ (1975).

 

 

Very close to this beach, about 500 metres past the car park, you can reach the Cala de la Media Luna (Half Moon Cove), so called because of its shape.

 

Continuing along the dirt road you will reach Cala Carbón, from where you can climb the Vela Blanca hill and enjoy unbeatable views of the coves. The beach of Barronal is also a must.

 

 

You can get there by car from San José along a 4-kilometre forest track. It is advisable to drive slowly, as it is a dirt road where there’s a lot of dust and mud. Once you get to Mónsul, you will see the car park 200 metres from the beach. During the summer season, parking costs 5 euros.

 

You also have the option of taking the shuttle bus from San José to Mónsul, stopping at Genoveses beach. Here you can see the timetables and bus stops. From Almeria city you can arrive by car in about 50 minutes on the Airport Motorway/AL-12.

 

Images: Cabo de Gata Natural Park