The Undiscovered Costa Tropical Spain

Almuñécar and La Herradura form the tourist capital of the Costa Tropical. This relatively unknown stretch of Spain's southern coastline belongs to Granada province in Andalucia. It lies between the more populous Costa del Sol to the west, and the coast of Almería to the east.

Rugged hills thrust up steeply from valley floors or plunge into the sea. Seasonal torrents, often swollen by melting snows, cut jagged ravines deep into the landscape. Once-forrested hillsides, now denuded of their fertile topsoil, provide a scanty foothold for almond, olive and the hardy carob. Small villages and farming communities have developed in sheltered valleys or simply cling like limpets to the hillsides.

And above everything towers the grand Sierra Nevada.

These mountains, which boast among them the highest peak in mainland Spain, form a natural weather-break which protects the Granadan coastline from the worst influences of the European winters, while Africa, to the south, helps buffer the harsh effects of both the Mediterranean and Atlantic weather. As a result, the area has an extraordinarily benign subtropical climate which can be seen in the variety of exotic products to be found in the local markets, especially the different fruits.

Almuñécar and its handsome Moorish castle sit on a small hill between the mouths of two rivers - the Río Seco and the larger Río Verde. The latter runs through Almuñécar's Tropical Valley, a fertile area of mainly subtropical fruit orchards that line the valley floor and climb the terraced hillsides. To the west of the town lies the Punta de la Mona, a pineclad headland sheltering the attractive Marina del Este sports port and home to a number of luxury urbanisations. Beyond, is the pretty village and horseshoe-shaped bay of La Herradura and another large natural promontory, Cerro Gordo, which marks the end of the municipality and province. Inland, the approximately 80 km² municipality rises into the hills which form an impressive backdrop to the coast. Farmhouses and small hamlets dot the area overlooked by the Peña Escrita natural park.

Almuñécar was founded by the Phoenicians almost 3000 years ago and has since been occupied by a succession of Mediterranean cultures including, most importantly, the Romans and the Moors. Attracted by the rich trade in local products, the town was one of the most important ports on Spain's Mediterranean coast. Evidence of the area's importance can be seen in the numerous monuments that still exist, especially the Roman fish factory and aqueduct.

Along the 19 km of local coastline visitors can choose from a large variety of beaches and small coves, ranging from fine sand to shingle. Watersports are very popular and there are numerous businesses offering different types of courses and equipment hire. Divers will find some of the best underwater scenery here of anywhere along the southern coast.