Costa Tropical

The Costa Tropical, due to its location, boasts an extremely pleasant climate. Its gentle winds from North Africa, the warmth of the Mediterranean Sea's waters and the protection provided by the nearby peaks of Sierra Nevada provide it with the only subtropical micro-climate in Europe. More than 320 days of sun a year and an average annual temperature of 20ºC turn Granada's Costa Tropical into paradise.

The beach at La Herradura is a privileged place for a perfect stay. The quality of its marine depths is particularly notable, with the area having been converted into an excellent diving area, immersed in Los Acantilados Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Marina Park, declared a Protected Space by UNESCO.

Along with the beaches of the Costa Tropical, you can enjoy countless small, hidden and quiet coves that further complement tourism options of sun and sand on Granada's coastline.

The Alhambra and the Generalife are a must-see. Built between the 13th and 15th centuries by the kings of the Nasrid dynasty as a fortress and royal palace, this is one of Europe's main monument constructions. The Alhambra, which takes its name from its reddish walls ("qa'lat al-Hamra" in Arabic, meaning Red Castle), is situated atop the hill of al-Sabika on the left side of Darro River, in the east of the city of Granada, and opposite the El Albayzín and Alcazaba neighbourhoods. Its strategic position, from which the whole city and surroundings can be observed, is a throwback to previous constructions when the Muslims arrived in Spain. The fully walled structure has an irregular form limited to the north by the Darro Valley, to the south by al-Sabika Valley, and to the east by Rey Chico Hill, which also separates it from El Albayzín and the Generalife. The Generalife is a villa with gardens. It was used by the Muslim rulers of Granada as a place for rest and relaxation. It was conceived as a rural villa, where ornamental gardens, vegetable patches and architecture combined near the Alhambra.

In 1984 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Founded by the Phoenicians around 1000 B.C. with the name of Sexi, Almuñécar is a town loaded with history. It has maintained important necropolises from the time, the remains of Roman salting factories, five stretches of Roman aqueduct and an Arab castle. Other attractions include the aquarium (with Mediterranean fauna), El Majuelo Botanic Garden, a park with exotic birds, and a water park.

It is an important tourist destination found between the sea and mountains. It is also known as an important producer of subtropical fruits, such as avocados, cherimoyas, mangoes and medlars. It is rich in historical and cultural history, which can be appreciated at the Museo de la Cueva de los Siete Palacios.

La Herradura, with around 3000 inhabitants, is the second largest district of Almuñécar. It has an impressive bay that has been converted in recent years into an important centre for underwater activities. Wedged between Punta de la Mona in the east and Peñón de Cerro Gordo in the west, the beach is situated in an area that is well protected from winds from either direction. Both hills have watchtowers that were built in the past to protect the place from enemies.

In La Herradura you will find Marina del Este, which is a marina that can host 230 boats. La Herradura is a chunk of land open to the Mediterranean. It has unique beauty and an incredible micro-climate, which justifies the grander region's name of "Costa Tropical". However, the climate is actually subtropical due to the fact little humidity exists. The sea breeze makes the overwhelming heat disappear in summer while the mountain chain that borders the coast protects it from the cold of winter.

Marina del Este is a marina situated in La Herradura, Almuñécar (Granada), in a natural paradise of great beauty. It boasts a privileged location between sea and mountain. It can manage 227 boats with a maximum length of 35 metres and it has a dry dock dedicated to the repair of vessels that provides service to all the boats in the area. Visitors can enjoy diving, sailing, windsurfing and even more activities.

The aquarium in Almuñécar is the Acuario de Fauna Mediterránea de Almuñécar, which is situated in Plaza Kuwait on Avenida de Europa, an excellent setting 500 metres from San Cristóbal Beach.

Visiting the aquarium involves a journey through the ecosystem and marine fauna of the Mediterranean Sea and the Almuñécar coast. In addition to its 20 tanks and oceanarium with a million litres of water over a panoramic tunnel 17 metres long, it has a permanent exhibition of photographs of the sea depths of the Almuñécar and La Herradura coastline, and a classroom.

Located close to the town centre of Almuñécar is this water park, covering 18,000 m2. It also has many green zones available to visitors, in addition to diverse saltwater attractions all the family will enjoy.

If visitors are looking for fun and action, the Costa Tropical offers all the possibilities the Mediterranean Sea has available. The beaches in La Herradura are the perfect place to go windsurfing, jet skiing, sailing or simply swimming in their warm, transparent waters.

Between the towns of Nerja and Almuñécar is Acantilado de Maro-Cerro Gordo Natural Space, formed by limestone walls that create cliffs, at the feet of which lie small, beautiful coves. These cliffs have many caves and underwater grottoes, such as Los Genoveses and La Cajilla.

Peña Escrita Ecological Park in Almuñécar is another place of exceptional beauty. Nature here presents the meeting point of different geographies: the foothills of Sierra Nevada, the Alpujarra landscape, and the Tropical Valley as they fuse with the Mediterranean.