Almuñécar between the Costa Tropical, culture and coast

Almuñécar is located on the Costa Tropical, the section of the Mediterranean coast in Granada province. Its coastline stretches for 19 kilometres and includes urban beaches, coves lined by cliffs, pebble beaches, beaches with grey or black sand, as well as nudist beaches. The beaches near the built-up areas of La Herradura, Almuñécar, Velilla and Taramay offer extensive accessibility services as well as sanitary facilities and surveillance.

Culture and history

The historic ensemble of Almuñécar is registered as a Bien de Interés Cultural. On the Cerro de San Miguel above Almuñécar stands the Castillo de San Miguel, an Arab fortress; the same site was previously used by the Phoenicians and Romans. The Museo de la Ciudad is also located in the Castillo de San Miguel.

The Acueducto romano dates from the 1st century AD and has a total length of 7 to 10 kilometres. The Ruta de los acueductos comprises five aqueducts or aqueduct sections: the Torrecuevas aqueduct, sections I, II and III, as well as the section at Carrera de la Concepción downstream from the Río Seco. The Ruta Iglesias y Ermitas is signposted by churches and hermitages in Almuñécar and La Herradura.

An archaeological record beneath the temple area of the Factoría de Salazones El Majuelo documents a Phoenician settlement from the 7th century BC. In the central area of the Factoría are salting tanks in which fish fillets were placed alternately with layers of salt. The Museo Arqueológico “Cueva de los Siete Palacios” is catalogued as a Bien de Interés Cultural and is located in a complex of Roman vaults.

Nature and landscape

El Majuelo botanical park is located in the historic centre of Almuñécar at the foot of the Castillo de San Miguel. In Parque botánico El Majuelo, visitors can see plants from tropical regions around the world, including Central and South America, Africa, the Philippines and New Zealand. The Peñón del Santo consists of three named rocks: El Santo, En medio and Afuera; they have considerable natural and landscape significance.

The Parque Ornitológico Loro Sexi is home to birds from more than 100 different species.

Water and trails

The Acuario de Almuñécar offers a tour through the Mediterranean ecosystem and marine fauna, particularly that of the coast of Almuñécar. El Pecio de San Cristóbal is a dive site in Almuñécar southwest of the Peñón del Santo. Water activities associated with Almuñécar include sailing, snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding and water biking.

Hikes in Almuñécar and La Herradura lead through landscapes with subtropical plantations and scenic areas of tourist interest.

Crafts and flavours

The Centro de Alfarería offers modelling and pottery wheel-throwing courses, family workshops, pop-up modelling workshops, as well as the “Alfarero por un día” experience. There, visitors can learn about the production of clay objects using techniques dating back to the Phoenician and Roman periods.

Recommended local dishes and specialities include Arroz a banda, fried fish, sardine skewers, prawns, Pescada, as well as a fish and seafood casserole. A visit to a tropical farm in Almuñécar may include a tasting of high-quality fruit.

More destinations

La Herradura, Baúl, Santa Cruz Del Comercio, Zagra, Illora, Los Tablones and Benamaurel

For the overarching travel overview: Granada.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Almuñécar: beaches, old town and Costa Tropical.