It is officially designated as a 'Playa de Interior' (inland beach), a rare classification for a landlocked Spanish province.
The reservoir serves as a critical irrigation source for the surrounding agricultural plains of the Vegas Altas.
The site is a major habitat for the Great Crested Grebe and other migratory waterfowl.
The water temperature remains significantly cooler than coastal beaches due to the deep-water mountain origin of the Zújar River.
The beach is equipped with specialized aquatic wheelchairs to facilitate entry into the reservoir.
Orellana Beach is a freshwater inland beach located on the shore of the Orellana Reservoir in the Badajoz province of Spain. It holds the distinction of being the first inland beach in Spain to be awarded a Blue Flag certification, which it has maintained consistently since 2010. The beach features a shoreline of fine sand stretching along the Embalse de Orellana, the largest reservoir in the Zújar River basin. The water quality is monitored regularly for swimming safety, making it a primary destination for aquatic sports in the Extremadura region. Facilities include boat ramps, designated swimming zones, and accessible infrastructure for visitors with reduced mobility. The surrounding area is part of a Special Protection Area for birds, attracting wildlife enthusiasts alongside swimmers.
The elevated viewpoint on the road leading into Orellana la Vieja, offering a panoramic frame of the beach and the reservoir.
Bring water shoes as the lake bed can be rocky beyond the immediate sandy shoreline.
Check the official Blue Flag status signage upon arrival to confirm current water quality updates.
Pack a sun umbrella, as natural shade is limited directly on the sandy area.
Avoid entering non-designated swimming zones near the reservoir dam or boat mooring areas for safety reasons.
Lifeguard services and public amenities are primarily operational during the summer season; swimming is unsupervised outside of these months.
Observe local wildlife signage to protect nesting bird habitats; keep noise levels moderate in designated conservation zones.
