The Costa Tropical in the province of Granada extends 60 km from La Rabita near the Costa de Almeria, west through the main towns of Motril and Salobreña to Almunecar and La Herradura on the border of the Costa del Sol in Malaga province. Its distinguishing feature is created by the climate and the relief: the Sierra Nevada mountains drop dramatically to the sea, provide shelter from winds and create a micro-climate of very mild winters, mild summers and enough rainfall to grow tropical produce. Much of the coast is tranquil with attractive towns, separated by rugged stretches of coast. The high villages of the beautiful Alpujarras region are a short distance inland. A digital relief map of Granada shows this clearly. A popular destination for residents of the city of Granada and with cheap flights to Malaga airport, an hour away, many visitors rent and buy property on the Costa Tropical.

The Contraviesa and the Lecrin Valley
The south facing slopes of the Alpujarra region of the Sierra Nevada overlook the Costa Tropical. The old Moorish mountain towns of Albunol and the villages of Sorvilan, Polopos, Rubite, Lujar and Gualchos are popular for trekking and mountain biking combining a rural setting with a maritime feel, thanks to their proximity to the coast below.
The Lecrin Valley, on the southwestern slopes of the Sierra Nevada among deep ravines and mountain scenery, stretches from the Costa Tropical to the city of Granada. There are a many villages scattered among the hillsides rich with vines, cherry, almonds and olive groves: Velez de Benaudalla, Guájar-Alto, Guájar-Faraguit and Guájar-Fondón, Acequias, Chite, Murchas, Mondújar, Béznar and Lecrin are all within easy reach of the coast.

Coastal towns
Costa Tropical is made up mostly of agricultural zones and small resort towns and villages. Except for "la vega de Motril", there are few flat areas for large urban sprawl and the beaches and towns of La Rabita, Melicena, La Mamola and Castilo de Banos, old fishing villages, are relatively small. So too is Castell de Ferro in the municipality of Gualchos. A few km west, the wider coastal plain allows more development. Carchuna, La Perla de Andalucia, Calahonda and Torrenueva are villages in the Motril area with wide beaches and clear waters. Motril, protected by the Sierra de Lújar, is considered the capital of the Tropical Coast, a natural outlet for the manufacturing and agricultural products of la Alpujarra and the Lecrin Valley. It has a lively port, lovely beaches with numerous watersports and fishing and Los Moriscos golf course. The beaches of Poniente, Puerto and Azucenas form the coast of Motril and like Salobreña, 7 km away, which boasts many beautiful coves hidden among the cliffs, are popular resorts. 26 beaches make up the coastline of Almuñécar, Granada’s main seaside resort, many of which are close to the town itself. Primarily a resort town and agricultural center, Almunecar and nearby la Herradura are popular destinations for Spanish summer holiday makers, northern European visitors, retirees, and full or part-time residents.

Travel: Principal Towns: Climate: Maps :