Introduction:

Hand in hand with another town, La Herradura, Almuñécar makes up the tourist capital of Costa Tropical.  Located between Costa del Sol and the coastal region of Almería, Costa Tropical receives a vast number of tourists, but the area is not as built up as the other areas.  It is a perfect vacation getaway for those who like open beaches without the immense crowds.

History:

Close to 3,000 years ago, Phoenician sailors stumbled onto a formerly undiscovered seaport.  Once on shore, the sailors discovered the friendly tribes were more than willing to trade their local goods for items the Phoenician sailors had on their ships.  Soon, the Phoenicians discovered that the outlying hills were rich in silver and copper and that led to their decision to make the land their home.  They established a fort known as Sexi and lived well for many years. When the Romans discovered the area, they reinforced the original fort and renamed it Sexi Firmum Julium.  Salting pits were established as a means to harvest the salt from the rich Mediterranean waters. In the fifth century, Vandals driven from Africa took over the area and renamed it Vandalusia. They left little impact on the area.  In the eighth century, Moors (Arabs) entered the sea town and turned the former Roman fort into a huge castle. Finally, in the late 15th century, Christians conquered the area.  This was the second to last southern Spanish town to be captured; Granada was the last.  Attacked frequently by pirates, the town lost much of its former stature. It was not until the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s that Almuñécar began reshaping its future as a thriving tourist town.

Site Seeing:

As the town of Almuñécar is located on the sea, there are delightful beaches where people can spend their day.  However, there is far more to area than just the beaches. Aqua Tropic is open from June to September.  This family-oriented water park delights children of all ages.  A number of water slides are located within the amusement park ranging from simple slides for young children to more daring, looping slides that lead you into complete darkness with only strobe lighting to guide your way.  Prices are very reasonable. Note discounts are offered to those arriving after 3.00 pm. The park opens at 11.00 am and closes at either 6.00 pm (June and September) or 7.30 pm (July and August).  When the park closes, the discotheque opens for those of legal drinking age. Three large markets appeal to many tourists.  Open Monday through Saturday, the Municipal Market on Avenida de la Cala sells fresh fish, vegetables, fruit, meat, and some baked goods.  Mercadillo is held every Friday in the fairgrounds.  Here local goods from honey to hand-woven rugs are sold by over 150 vendors.  During the first Saturday of every month, Rastro shares the fairground’s ample area.  The Rastro is a huge flea market where items of all kinds can be found for extremely low prices. Castillo de San Miguel is open Tuesday through Sunday.  The old Arabian castle offers impressive displays of towers, rock fortresses, and even spooky dungeons.  Follow this with a tour of the local Roman Aqueducts that line the town and a quick visit to the ancient Roman Cotobro Bridge. Below the castle, Majuelo Park houses the area’s botanical gardens.  Impressive flowers, trees, and native plants line the many walkways.  The park also houses the ancient Roman salt mines.  The park opens with the sunrise and closes as soon as the sun sets. The Cave of the Seven Palaces is, in fact, the popular name for the archaeological museum.  The museum offers a huge selection of archaeological finds.  The museum is part of a Roman construction that resembles huge caves that were originally meant to support additional buildings due to a lack of available land. Founded in 1987, the Loro Sexi Bird Park houses more than 1,500 different birds.  Live parrot shows are held daily.   There are a wide array of hotels, apartment rentals, hostels, and bed and breakfasts in Almuñécar. With such a variety, it is easy to find an establishment to fit your budget.  

Industry:

Tourism brings in the majority of Almuñécar’s revenue.  An abundance of stores, hotels, restaurants, bars, dance clubs, and other entertainment venues bring much needed income to the area residents through employment and taxes. Fresh produce brings in plenty of money as well.  Almuñécar’s fertile soil and warm climate allow almonds, carob beans, olives, cherimoya, avocados, mangos, nispolas (Japanese Medlar Pear), kiwis, star fruits, guavas, pomegranates, prickly pears, figs, grapes, bananas, and passion fruit to flourish. Finally, the fishing industry brings in a small amount of revenue as well.  Despite these smaller agricultural and food related industries, nothing tops the money brought in every year by flocks of tourists.

Gastronomy:

Compliments of a warm tropical climate, Costa Tropical allows many exotic tropical fruits to grow and thrive.  Almuñécar’s specialty is the cherimoya, a fruit also known as the custard apple.  Many feel the fruit tastes like an even blend of pineapple, strawberry, and mango.  The seeds and skin are slightly poisonous, so it is important to remember to only eat the flesh.  Many area restaurants will serve the cherimoya in fruit salads or turn it into a delicious ice cream.  Make sure to sample some during your visit to Almuñécar! The area’s second specialty is the avocado.  Many local dishes utilize this popular delicacy.  Expect to find appetizers such as avocado filled with a delightful herb and egg mixture or bowls of guacamole served alongside traditional Spanish dishes. Do not leave Almuñécar until you’ve sampled Gambas al Pil-Pil.  This spicy shrimp dish is simmered in olive oil with plenty of garlic and chilies. Many tourists find their way into El Chaleco, a delightful restaurant that blends French and Spanish cuisine.  The restaurant thrives on keeping prices low and offering the freshest vegetables, meats, and seafood in the area.

Nightlife:

The nightlife in Almuñécar is varied.  Discotheques are quite popular with the younger crowd, while the older crowd tends to prefer the area’s selection of quiet jazz bars. In the summer, many festivals bring parades, street dancing, and elaborate food displays to the area.  During the Jazz Festival or Andrés Segovia International Guitar Competition, nightly concerts in Majuelo Park delight both tourists and residents. Vena Luciano is the area’s hottest Flamenco club.  Located three kilometers from Almuñécar, Vena Luciano has been in business for over thirty years and offers elaborate Flamenco acts. If dance clubs are your desire, expect the evening to get started at 10.00 pm when most dance clubs open.  Closing time regularly occurs around 3.00 pm. Plaza Kelibia is an open street where more than half a dozen bars pour out on the street with huge open-air patios.  Definitely, try some of the tapas in Plaza Kelibia.  Another option is Bajos del Paseo where the bars line the beachfront. If you would like something a little more quiet and romantic, head to Albayzin del Mar.  The lavish open-air garden is lined with water features, bars, and even a swimming pool and waterfall.  It is a great spot to sit outside, enjoy a cold beer, and get lost in the scents and sounds of the town.

Summary:

Sun loving men, women, and children will be delighted by Almuñécar’s sandy beaches and rocky alcoves.  This is only part of Almuñécar’s appeal, however.  There are many historical sites, excellent restaurants, fabulous shops, and delightful fresh air markets to be enjoyed.  Head to Almuñécar for at least a week.  You will never want to leave.

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