ALMUNECAR HOLIDAY RENTALS - GRANADA - ANDALUCIA - SPAIN

• RENTAL: Breathtaking sea views, overlooking the coast at Almunecar; Costa Tropical

ALMUNECAR HOLIDAY RENTALS

Almunecar

Almunecar is popular with holidaymakers and is situated on the Costa Tropical.

With a backdrop of mountains, the castle which was built by the Moors, is in the old town. Other places of interest include a museum, botanical gardens and an aviary.

Detail from property rental advert no. 388 about ALMUNECAR HOLIDAY RENTALS

Places of Interest. Although Almuñecar at first sight just looks like a busy holiday town, it has the heart of an old Andalucian pueblo. You will be surprised when you come across the hilly narrow streets of the old town. Explore this area and seek out some good tapas bars, bodegas and restaurants - you’ll have a huge choice, naturally with lots of sea food available. Visit the town market to buy fresh fish, meat and vegetables. See the remains of the fish-salting factory and wander through the botanical gardens (jazz festival in July). Don’t forget the bird park (Loro Sexi), castle, museum and Friday outdoor market (for cheap clothes, shoes and local products. The water park can be seen on the coast below La Rijana. Out of town you can travel up Almuñecar’s tropical valley, following Rio Verde. This leads to the Sierra Chaparral, passing through Jete, Ortívar and Lentejí and offers some magnificent scenery. You can eat game up here in the mountains. Carry on to the hot springs at Alhama and return via Velez Malaga. By now you’ll probably be out of time and energy, but you can always return another day to explore this pleasant local town. Between here and the coastal resort of Torre del Mar, you’ll come across El Ingenio shopping centre, with 12 screen cinema complex, trendy snack bars and shops and a huge hypermarket. The Peña Escrita Park, high in the hills, is reached by following the Rio Seco. Here are more excellent views and opportunities for hiking or horse-riding. Riding is also available just as you leave Almunecar through the Tunnel Taramay, up the side of the Hotel Taramay, (Centro Equestre Tropical -Tel. 626819691) and down below the Hotel Salobrena (619 73 31 87). A little east of Almuñecar, lies Salobreña, the old part of which is built on an outcrop of rock and topped by an impressive castle. Beyond this is the interesting Spanish town of Motril, with Los Moriscos golf course next to the sea (around £20/couple green fee; Tel. 958 82 55 27)). Heading north from Motril you will find Granada, just an hour from Almunecar. This was the last capital of the Moorish kings and is well worth a visit, not only for the marvellous Alhambra (book in advance), but also for the many other places of interest within the city. Of course in winter (generally Nov. – Easter), there is good skiing to be had in the Sierra Nevada. South of the Sierra Nevada are the Alpujarras, (‘Driving Over Lemons’ fame), a series of foothills with steep valleys and ancient villages, some with cave houses. To the west of Almunecar, before Herradura, you can go to Marina del Este, an exclusive marina with smart restaurants, lovely boats to look at and the opportunity for scuba. Beyond Herradura, you will come to Nerja, a popular resort for British holiday-makers, with a good beach (Burriana) and fantastic caves (International festival, featuring ballet, opera, flamenco in July). Further west is the whitewashed village of Torrox Pueblo (inland) and Torrox Costa, the latter with a very pleasant promenade lined with restaurants. History of the Area Palaeolithic, Neolithic and Bronze-Age man made his home in the surrounding areas, but it was not until 3000 yrs ago that the modern history of Almuñecar began, when it was inhabited by the Phoenicians. Subsequently the Romans and Moors ruled. Under the occupation of the Arabs, this important town was known as ‘Al-Munakkab’ (fortified town), or ‘Hins-al Monacar’ (flanked by hills). Evidence of the Romans can be seen in the fish factory and aqueduct. The Roman hilltop fortifications were rebuilt and expanded into a formidable Moorish castle. At the same time, Arabs introduced sugar cane, pomegranate, citrus, fig and the silk industry. Beaches The region offers a huge variety of beaches and coves where opportunities exist for diving, windsurfing, paragliding, jet-ski, scuba, snorkelling, fishing, pedalo, nudism or simply sunbathing and swimming. Many beaches and towns tend to be busy during the Spanish holiday season (August), and parking can be difficult. (Note that the Spanish will generally take a siesta between about 2pm and 5.30pm.) You therefore have to be adaptable and adventurous in your choice of location and time of trip. You might note the following beaches, (from east to west):  Playa de Cabria: Small, popular beach, food, can walk around cove to a smaller headland.  Playa el Pozuelo: Small beach with shade provided by eucalyptus. Food available.  Playa el Tesorillo: (Tesorillo means Little Treasure). Sandy inlet bordered by rocks. Bars.  Playa Velilla: 2km sand and shingle, restaurants, shops water-sports.  Playa Puerta del Mar: Main beach of, running from the aquapark to San Cristóbal.  Playa San Cristóbal: Long beach with wide promenade. Beach-bars, restaurants, water-sports, fishing fleet.  Playa de Cotobro: Small sand and shingle beach just round the headland. Restaurant. Can walk round the rocks to next beach.  Playa del Muerto: Nudist bathing area. Secluded shingle and rock coves.  Playa de Berengueles: Small sandy beach beside Marina Del Este (an exclusive boat harbour, similar to Puerto Banus), from which diving can be organised. Bars/restaurants.  Playa de la Herradura: ‘Herradura’ means ‘horseshoe’ and this sandy beach runs for 2k fronting the town of the same name. It is never really crowded and there are opportunities to park on the beach. Restaurants. Further west, lie numerous beaches down steep cliffs, mostly accessible by foot only:  Playa de Cantarriján (nudist,restaurant, probably can drive), Playa Canuelo, (mini-bus down to beach – June-Sept,. 2 restaurants) , Playa Alberquilla, Playa de Molino de Papel, Valle los Pinos, etc Fairs, Fiestas and Festivals. These occur throughout the year and you can find out about them from the local tourist office or by visiting www.almunecar.com. In July, is the mariners’ Fiesta del Virgin del Carmen on the sea front and the superb International Jazz Festival followed by a flamenco festival in the botanical gardens. A little later there is Almuñecar’s patron saint, week long celebration in August. Around Sept. 29th is another 3-day celebration followed in October by a 1 week Fiesta de la Chirimoya, marking the beginning of the chirimoya harvest. Summary In the area of Almunecar, as you can see, you will always find something to do. The location of La Rijana, suitable all year round, means that you can combine the tranquillity of gazing across the blue of the Mediterranean with the convenience of being only minutes from the centre of a vibrant Spanish town. You can explore the coastal towns and more remote beaches or head inland to the mountains. And remember the wonderful city of Granada with world renowned Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada ski resort is just an hour away. http://www.andalucianvillas.info/index.htm (The details were correct at time of creation but we cannot be held responsible for any discrepancies. Groups with young children should be aware of hazards. Smoking is not permitted in the house.)