Almuñécar, Salobreña and Motril are the coastal resorts of Granada, belonging to the so-called Costa Tropical. Mediterranean coastal strip extending for 72 km. There are many small coves and beaches, with an average annual temperature of 20º. These three coastal municipalities offer tourists a wide and different range of things to see and do. These are special places for fans of sun and beach, water sports and cultural tourism. It is a Spanish council in the province of Granada, in the autonomous social network of Andalusia.

What to see in Almuñécar?

The coast of Granada belongs to the most used coastal options in Spain. Sun, beach and Andalusian cuisine: what more could you ask for? An itinerary and accommodation on the Costa Tropical can take you to such attractive places as Almuñécar, a town on the Mediterranean coast that borders other municipalities in Granada such as Jete or Salobreña, as well as the Malaga town of Nerja.

And although the fact of lying on its beaches is perhaps the most interesting of its proposals a priori, it must be taken into account that Almuñécar is not only that. This seaside town offers an extensive choice of activities, with some very attractive tourist sites.

Almuñécar has, among other things, the castle of San Miguel. The castle is apparent from most of the town and is located on a prominent hilltop. It is estimated that there was a settlement here in the Punic period and remains of a Roman fortress have been found. Nevertheless, the castle became important in Nasrid times, primarily for its prison and dungeons, and it was here, right here, that dethroned sultans, military leaders and fallen ministers were arrested.

Near this castle is a charming neighbourhood. The so-called castle neighbourhood is full of streets decorated with a multitude of mosaics. White houses, very typical of the Andalusian villages, which do not leave the decoration to chance; the town hall has the function that every year the inhabitants of these houses take care of them, organising different competitions for the façades.

The Cueva de los Siete Palacios and the Archaeological Museum are also worth a visit. It is in the basement of an obsolete building in Rome. Within it, there are several examples of the council’s historical past. Here are the special remains of the city of the dead. In addition, you will find enigmatic pieces such as the Egyptian vase from the 18th century BC, carved in solid quartz and with a huge set of hieroglyphic inscriptions that claim to be part of the period of the Pharaoh Apophis I.

From the Roman period, the village still has the Roman aqueduct, as well as the salt mines. It should be emphasised that the aqueduct was built to supply drinking water to the Almuñécar salting industry.

One of the most beautiful buildings in this town is the Palacete de la Najarra. It is a neo-Arabic style building in the tradition of Moorish houses and gardens. It was built in the 19th century and its decoration, with its tiled wall hangings and plinths, as well as the frescoes and Mozarabs inside, make it a real eye-catcher. The well-kept garden, full of cypresses and palm trees, is also impressive.

The beautifully manicured garden, full of cypresses and palm trees, is also impressive. It is located in the centre of the region and has an extensive collection, the largest and most complete in Spain, of these curious miniature trees. You will be able to see bonsai trees with apples, olives, pomegranates and cork oaks.

The gastronomic heritage is also noteworthy. As a town in Granada, you can’t miss the “caña” and the “tapa”. But don’t forget to try some of the country’s specialities, such as the Torta de al-Haju, made with almond honey, cloves, lemon zest and breadcrumbs, or the famous Olla Mohína, of Mozarabic origin and with ingredients such as almonds, cinnamon, matalahúga and syrup.

If you are planning to visit Almuñécar in the near future, you should also understand that it has a high quality hotel offer. Coastal hotels that will allow you to get to know the town in peace and quiet and relax on its beaches.

An attractive alternative is the Hotel Best Alcazar, a 4 star hotel established in 2007 next to the popular marina of La Herradura, in the urbanisation of Punta de la Mona, the absolute heart of the Costa Tropical.

One option, also on the same level as the previous one, is the Hotel Victoria Playa, a 4-star hotel located only 200 metres from the tourist beach of San Cristóbal, and only a 15-minute walk from the commercial centre and the old town.

Places to visit in Almuñécar

The town of Almuñécar has several cultural attractions. A visit to its historical and artistic heritage will give you an insight into the past and present of this town on the Costa Tropical. Now, a list of the attractive things you have the possibility to see:

Castillo de San Miguel. In the region’s museum, which is also known as the Museum of the History of Tourism, the neoclassical pavilion houses are on display.

Castillo de la Herradura. It was requested by Charles III in the 18th century. It is on the beach of La Herradura.

Cueva de Siete Palacios. Today it is the home of the Almuñécar Archaeological Museum.

Palacete de la Najarra. Headquarters of the Almuñécar Municipal Tourist Office and the Municipal Tourist Information Office.

Columbario romano de la Torre del Monje. Funerary vault from the 1st century AD. C. located in the neighbourhood of Torrecuevas.

Puente romano. Located in the neighbourhood of Cotobro.

Acueducto de roma. Proclaimed of Cultural Interest.

Church of La Encarnación. The first Baroque temple in the province of Granada. Designed by the architect of rey Felipe II, with a beautiful tower work by Diego de Siloé.

Iglesia de San José. Old hermitage in La Herradura where the patron saint of the village is venerated.

For nature lovers, Almuñécar has 4 areas of particular interest:

Parque botánico y arqueológico, El Majuelo. With well over 180 examples of representative plants from the tropics. Inside are also the remains of a fish salting factory from the Roman period. In its Craft Occupation Centre you have the possibility to get handicraft products.

Loro Sexi Ornithological Botanical Park. With over 1500 bird specimens. Common pigeon, peacock, ostrich, parrot, cockatoo, swan, duck,…

Parque Natural de Peña Escrita. Here you can enjoy a wide variety of plants and see wild animals such as deer and wild goats. It also has a hostel where you can try typical dishes from the cuisine of Almunecar.

Natural Site Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo. A terrestrial marine park with beautiful cliffs and an attractive diversity of flora and fauna. It also offers numerous hiking trails.

What activities or plans are there in Almuñecar?

Among the many things to do in Almuñécar, water sports stand out.

The Herradura region is of particular interest to tourists who want to train diving at some time of the year.

Another considerable enclave for tourists wishing to train in water sports is the Puerto Deportivo del Este.

In Almuñécar you also have the possibility to train adventure activities such as paragliding and canyoning, as well as hiking and horse riding.

Another thing you have to do if you are a tourist in Almuñécar is to enjoy its gastronomy. Salads, meat and fish accompanied by tropical fruits such as mango and avocado belong to the different menus of the bars and eating places in Almuñécar.

The Almuñécar Gastronomic Fair is held every spring in the Parque del Majuelo.

Enjoying the usual and contemporary fiestas is another of the things you can do in Almuñécar.

La Feria de Almuñécar. It is celebrated in August and lasts for a week. It ends with the procession of the patron saints and pyromusical fireworks. Feria de la Herradura. It takes place in March and lasts a weekend.

Feria del Vecindario de San Sebastián. Throughout the 1 May long weekend.

Fiestas de San Juan. The night of 23-24 June. Locals and visitors to Almuñécar gather around the bonfires that are lit on the town’s beaches from midnight onwards. It is a tradition, the ritual of washing one’s face or bathing to look good. The town council is handing out the usual oil buns with boiled eggs on the beach of Puerta del Mar.

Fiesta del Vecindario de Los Marinos. To celebrate the feast day of the Virgen del Carmen, with a sea procession and leisure activities over the course of a weekend.

Fiestas del Vecindario de San Miguel. From 28 to 30 September.

Fiestas del Vecindario de Torrecuevas. Also popular as the Festivity of the Virgen del Pilar. It coincides with the feast of the Virgen del Pilar on 12 October and lasts three days. Popular festivals, competitions and wine tastings are part of the programme.

What to visit near Almuñecar

The old town of Salobreña is a monument in itself and one of the most important attractions of the region. The most picturesque quarters are La Loma, La Fuente, El Brocal and El Albaicín.

Monuments and places to visit in Salobreña

Arabic castle. Phoenician fortress reformed by the Romans, Arabs and Christians. Its elevated position provides a panoramic view of the region and its surroundings. The most sensational views are from its towers. It has a summer auditorium where theatre performances and other cultural events, such as medieval dinners, are held.

Iglesia del Rosario. Mudejar-style temple, built on the site of a 16th-century mosque.

La Bóveda. Passageway linking the Albaicín with the heart of the old Medina.

Mirador del Albaicín. Located 98 metres above the Tagus, from where you can enjoy an incredible panoramic view.

Mirador del Postigo. A balcony overlooking the northern part of Salobreña, from where you can see the highest mountain in the region, the “Pico de la Guindalera”, 1,072 metres high.

El Torreón. Remains of the wall located in the Brocal neighbourhood.

Apart from strolling through the streets of the centre of the region and discovering its monuments, there are other interesting activities to do in Salobreña.

Birdwatching. Places in Salobreña from where you have the chance to see different species of birds flying in the sky over the town: the cliffs of Caleta, Tajo de Salobreña, Punta del Río, Valle de Salobreña and Tajo de los Vados.

Train hiking and mountain biking on the various hiking trails of the Salobreña Town Hall.

Try the Chirimoya route. Visit the valley of Salobreña and learn all about this fruit. Train in water sports on its beaches such as surfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, fishing, diving… Enjoy the delicacies of the gastronomy of Salobreña. Fish, seafood and tropical fruits such as custard apple, avocado and mango. Products that are the basis of countless common and original recipes.

Monuments and places to visit in MOTRIL

Motril is the second largest town in the province of Granada. One of the tourist places of interest for all those who are looking for sun and beach and for all those who want to train sports like diving and windsurfing, etc. Churches, interpretation centres, museums and other buildings of historical-artistic interest make up the sample of attractive things to see in Motril. Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza. Temple built on the ruins of a Nasrid castle, which underwent numerous reconstructions throughout history.

Iglesia de la Encarnación. Mudejar Gothic style. Built on the site of an old mosque. Listed as an asset of cultural interest. Parque de los Pueblos de América. It is next to the sanctuary of the Virgen de la Cabeza. It has well over 50 exotic and subtropical trees and shrubs that come from different parts of the Americas.

Pre-Industrial Sugar Museum. The most important museum in Motril. Didactic and entertaining, it teaches the development of sugar construction and sales between the 13th and 18th centuries. It houses the oldest mill in Europe and an attractive collection of utensils. It exhibits a large-scale reproduction of the mills and dams, the dirty cooking and cleaning of the sugar frames. It reflects Motril’s worldwide position in sugar production.

Casa de La Palma. Old sugar factory now transformed into a cultural centre in Motril Its coffered ceiling and its interior garden with plants and trees brought from America are attractive. Bodega Ron Montero. Established in 1963 by a family with a long tradition of sugar cane production.

Motril History Museum. It is in the Casa Garcés and gives an insight into the long history of this Costa Tropical town. Agrotourism routes. A perfect initiative for fans of nature and Motril’s typical agricultural products.

Cycling and hiking routes around the town of Motril.

Training for sports such as windsurfing, paragliding, golf, scuba diving…

Throughout your trip, you will have to try the most usual and creative tapas and gastronomy of Motril. Motril prawns, octopus, horse mackerel and tropical fruits are the basis of many recipes. Avocado, mango and yellowtail strudel salad, guava salad with anchovies and quinces with mango vinaigrette…

Plan your trip in advance and