Motril

Why visit Motril

Motril grew rich on sugar cane, which was grown on the coastal plain here from Moorish times until the late twentieth century, when Europe's last sugar mills closed. Today it is a working town and port rather than a resort, with a historic centre, a busy market and long, open beaches a few kilometres south of the town. Avocado and mango orchards have replaced much of the cane on the slopes behind. Motril suits travellers who prefer local life to big hotels, families looking for space on the beach, and anyone interested in Andalucía's lesser-known industrial history.

What to see and do in Motril

The Preindustrial Sugar Cane Museum, built around the remains of a sixteenth-century sugar mill, explains how cane was crushed and boiled, and the Ron Montero distillery still makes rum in the local tradition, with tours and tastings. In town, look for the church of La Encarnación, built over the old mosque, and the sanctuary of the Virgen de la Cabeza on its hill. The beaches, including Playa de Poniente and the quieter Playa de Carchuna, stretch along the coast towards Calahonda and Castell de Ferro. Golfers have Los Moriscos course by the sea, and climbers head to the Los Vados crag. Salobreña, with its castle above the white town, and Almuñécar are both within 15 minutes.

A day in Motril

Spend the morning at the Preindustrial Sugar Cane Museum and the town centre. After lunch, tour the Ron Montero distillery, then head to the beach at Playa de Poniente or Carchuna for the afternoon. Finish with fried fish and red prawns in a beachfront restaurant.

Food and local life

Fish and seafood from the port are the highlight, especially red prawns and fried fish, along with tropical fruit from the surrounding farms. Try a local rum, and look for sugar cane honey, the dark syrup still made in the area and served with fried aubergine.

Around Motril

Motril is the largest town in the Costa Granadina comarca. Salobreña, with its Moorish castle above a white town, is 10 minutes away, Almuñécar 20 minutes, and the coast east towards Castell de Ferro has quiet coves. Inland, the road to Granada passes through the Valle de Lecrín's orange groves and villages.

See every town and village on the Costa Granadina page.

Getting there and around

Motril is in the Costa Granadina comarca, about 50 minutes by car from Granada and 1 hour 15 minutes from Málaga airport. Buses connect with Granada, Málaga and Almería. A car is handy for the beaches and nearby villages. The climate is mild year round, making it a good winter base.