Almuñécar

Why visit Almuñécar

Almuñécar has been a port since the Phoenicians founded Sexi here nearly three thousand years ago, and it still mixes history with a busy seaside life. Mountains drop steeply to the sea, sheltering a subtropical microclimate where avocados, mangoes and the chirimoya, or custard apple, grow alongside the beaches. Compared with the Costa del Sol it feels smaller and more Spanish, with a lively old town and a choice of town beaches and quieter coves. Almuñécar suits families, divers and kayakers, and travellers who want a winter-sun base within an hour of Granada.

What to see and do in Almuñécar

The Castillo de San Miguel crowns the old town, with views along the coast, and below it the El Majuelo park combines a botanical garden with the remains of a Roman fish-salting factory. Stretches of the Roman aqueduct survive in the countryside around town. The town beaches, including Puerta del Mar, San Cristóbal and Velilla, are separated by the rocks of the Peñón del Santo, while coves such as Cabria, Calabajío and Cantarriján lie towards the Málaga border. The bay of La Herradura is known for kayaking and calm water, and the Marina del Este is one of the best diving spots on the coast. Families can add the Almuñécar aquarium and the Aquatropic water park, and the Río Verde canyoning route starts in the hills just inland at Otívar.

A day in Almuñécar

Climb to the Castillo de San Miguel in the morning, then visit the El Majuelo park and its Roman fish-salting tanks. After a seafood lunch on the promenade, drive to La Herradura for an afternoon kayak around the bay, or snorkel at Marina del Este. End with sunset drinks at the Peñón del Santo.

Food and local life

Seafood dominates menus: fried fish, espetos of sardines grilled on the beach, and fish soup. Look for local chirimoyas in autumn and winter, avocados, mangoes and tropical fruit smoothies, and a glass of local sweet wine from the hill villages. The town's beach bars are lively in summer.

Around Almuñécar

Almuñécar is one of the main towns of the Costa Granadina comarca, which runs from the Málaga border to Almería. Salobreña's castle and white town, the inland villages of Jete, Otívar and Lentegí in the subtropical valley of the river Verde, and the coast towards Motril are all short drives. Granada and the Alhambra are about an hour away.

See every town and village on the Costa Granadina page.

Getting there and around

Almuñécar is in the Costa Granadina comarca, about 1 hour from Granada and 1 hour from Málaga airport by car on the A-7 and A-44. Buses run to both cities. A car helps for the coves, which have limited parking in summer. The climate is mild year round, with winter daytime temperatures often near 20°C.