Almuñécar is a municipality that is part of the province of Granada, on the stretch of Mediterranean coast that’s known as the Costa Tropical or Costa Granadina. It is one of the top holiday destinations in the area, where visitors find a combination of scenery, culture and tranquillity that’s hard to beat.
The history of the town stretches back to the time of the Phoenicians. Following their presence in the area, it was colonised by the Greeks, Romans and Arabs, each of which left signs of their culture behind for us to enjoy today. The desirability of the zone is due to its position on the sea and the course of the Rover Verde.
There are various towns and villages in the area besides Almuñecar itself including La Herradura, a beautiful fishing village, Torrecuevas, El Cerval, El Rescate and Velilla-Taramay.
Due to the wide range of activities and services on offer, the area has become a magnet for visitors, especially in the summer season. The 27,000 or so sexitanos or almuñequeros, as the locals are known, are outnumbered almost three to one at this time of year. It’s unsurprising that this part of the Andalucian coast has an excellent climate for summer tourism.
That’s not to mention the coast. The municipality has around 20 kilometres of coastline, where 18 beaches are bathed by the waters of the Mediterranean sea. Some of them are well equipped for holiday makers, while others less tame, all offer a unique experience. The beach in the town of Almuñecar is almost 4 kilometres long, with a promenade running the length of it.
What to see in Almuñécar? The whole town is worth a visit, but here are the essentials for visitors.
The first highlight is the Castle of San Miguel, which is a good example of the varied history of the zone - it’s an Moorish castle which was built on the ancient Roman fortress. From its vantage point, the views of the city and the coast are impressive.
Strolling through the old town is a chance to discover charming narrow streets which lead you to places like the Plaza de la Constitución, where the Town Hall is located, the Palacete de La Najarra and monuments such as the Octopus mosaic or the Sculpture of the Espetero at the seafront.
If you are thinking about when to visit Almuñécar, the best time is during the summer. This is when festivities of San Juan, famous for its bonfires, take place, as well as the festival of San Miguel, the Virgin Mother and the Immaculate Conception.
But the most important date in the calendar is Easter. The celebrations of Almuñecar have been declared a Touristic Interest - pay them a visit to find out why.
If you travel in high season and you want to enjoy a holiday cottage in Almuñécar, you have different options. They include the cheap ones, which can be rented out completely or room by room, those with a terrace and those without, and those with views - of mountains or the sea.
Or if you’d rather stay in a hotel, there are plenty on the seafront. Finally, there’s the option of staying in a holiday home in the countryside, perhaps near a village like Salobreña or Motril.
