Salobreña Costa Tropical

New opportunities have opened up now that you can fly into Granada. Costa Tropical is a good bet if you want authentic Spanish atmosphere, history, water sports, virgin beaches and affordable prices.

Arriving by car from Almunecar towards Salobrena you will see a rock with a Moorish castle on top, and a white village, almost clinging to the rock that sticks up in the flat, fertile landscape between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The town is Salobreña ... a town with more than 6,000 years on it’s back.

Salobreña was once, as most of Spain, occupied and governed by the Arabs for several hundred years until the Christians re-conquered the town in the 1489. The town's Arab defense walls, that protected the inhabitants of the Middle Ages, were then partially removed to make way for the town to grow, which it did. It has grown beyond the remnants of the old walls, down the mountain and has now spread out into the flat countryside, between the rock and the long white sandy beaches of the Mediterranean Sea, into a medium-sized modern town with approx. 10,500 inhabitants.

A cherished left-over from the past is one of the best preserved Moorish castles on the coast of Andalusia.

Today Salobreña is a bustling Spanish town in development. Tourism is beginning to distinguish itself as an important contributor to the local economy. Many foreigners from northern Europe are beginning to discover the charm and the climate in Salobreña ... and some of the tourists stay, and take permanent residence in Salobrena.

Unwind & Enjoy

Salobreña is where you can put your stressful lifestyle on hold and let your senses unfold on the beach with the blue, blue sky above you, the sparkling sea in front of you, and the dazzling white town, on top of the rocks behind you .

If you feel the urge to discover and explore, shake the sand out of your sandals and take the local bus (which stops in several places on the seafront) to the top of the cliff and go exploring in the "Casco Antiguo", the old town of Salobreña.

The Moorish castle is turned into a dramatic setting for various concerts and shows during the summer. These often take place in the evening when the castle is illuminated.

The Tourist Office in Salobreña organizes guided tours in the old city during the summer. Here you will find a 1600-century church; "Inglesia del Rosario", which is built on top of an old mosque, and "Bóveda de la Plaza", a street which passes through a tunnel from the Middle Ages.

Furthermore, "Paseo de las Flores" a charming promenade around the castle which is illuminated at night. In summer a medieval market is held here.

For those who have historically blood in their veins; visit the city museum, housed in the old town hall which provides a fascinating insight into the city's 6,000 years of history.

Culturally Salobreña has much to offer. La Casa De La Cultura can provide you with information and programs for concerts, exhibitions, theatrical and cinematic performances of topical interest.

Very recently a film office opened in the tourist office. The idea is to encourage television and film production to exploit the wealth of visual scenery found in and around the ancient town of Salobreña.

Costa Tropical is the coast in the province of Granada, which is geographically divided into two parts; eastward you will see the Alpujarra mountains and to the west the fertile, lush valleys and plains around Almunecar and Motril. Salobreña is located between these two towns.

Costa Tropical is fertile due to the well-organized supply of rainwater and melting snow from high above the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and the rich Guadalfeo river delta.
The snow usually begins to decline in November and start to melt in April, although you will often see snow as late as the end of April.

The snow is visible from the beaches on the Costa Tropical until May, and it is possible to ski at the ski resorts until late April. In fact you can ski in the morning, a half hour drive from the coast, and still manage to spend the late afternoon on the beach.

The mountains protect the Costa Tropical against cold winds and provide a climate that resembles the Caribbean.

With a minimum temperature of 14 degrees and a maximum temperature of 32 degrees, you can virtually enjoy summer all year round.

Nearly every physical activity you can think of is available in Salobreña and its surroundings. Golfing, tennis, football, trips on mountain bikes and hang gliding, mountain climbing (on the road to Granada) and many kinds of water sports.

For snorkelers and divers, there is an artificially constructed reefs at the cliff "El Peñón" with a rich variety of flora and fauna. Furthermore you will find a diving center at the Hotel Salobreña.

There are 140 km. roads and trails to wander along from Salobreña. Ask for different routes at the tourist office where you can get maps, so you can stay the course. The routes vary in length from one to seven hours of hiking.

If you'd rather sit on the back of a horse, there are several places that offer guided tours on horseback.

Of course you will be hungry and thirsty from all that activity, but there are plenty of bars where you can quench your thirst. Many places will serve your drink with a complimentary tapas. It can be anything from shrimp, scallops with fried fish, ham or thick slices of cheese.
You will also find a rich selection of restaurants in the city from pizzerias to steakhouses and seafood. In Motril approximately 10-minute drive by car, is a fishing harbour and marina where several restaurants specializing in local fish dishes.

Day Trips.

Those who are planning a vacation in Salobreña, need not fear running out of new activities when they have explored the town itself, there are plenty of tour options based from Salobreña.
A must is the Alhambra in Granada, but the city of Granada itself has plenty to offer when it comes to architecture and history.

Cave City - Guadix, with 2000 underground cave dwellings, are also worth a visit and the trip can be done in one short hour.

For those who are keen to experience nature and strolling into the small white villages the Alpujarra Mountains are a golden opportunity. There are 48 villages in the area. If you start early morning and select a couple of villages, it is possible to reach a large proportion of the area in one day ... including a nice leisurely lunch at one of the small local cafes ...

If you want to do the Alpujarras in an ait conditioned coach you can do so every Monday. The tour starts from Hotel RIU Monica in Nerja at 8.10am.