One of the popular resorts of the Costa Tropical in Andalucia, Spain, Almunecar has a history going back to the times of the ancient Phoenicians, whe a settlement was founded there, called Sexi. Later the Romans built an aqueduct in Almunecar, remains of which can still be seen to this day. Looking down on the old town of Almunecar is a Moorish castle, reminding present day visitors of the town less peaceful times. These days Almunecar is a much visited coastal resort and holiday destination with a greyish sand beach, decent hotels, and the usual facilities expected of a modern holiday resort.
June 22, 2010
September 10, 2009
Purullena Andalucia Spain
Well worth a visit if you are travelling through the Granada region of Andalucia, the small town of Purullena is renowned for its cave houses, which are dug into the clay hillsides of the Guadix plateau. Over half of the population of the town live in these unique cave houses and one of the cave owners has transformed his house into a living cave house museum, which you can look around to see the construction of the cave houses and learn about the history of the town. You actually walk through his house, where he lives with his wife and you can see a new room that he is constricting by simply digging out the clay with a pick. A shop adjoining the house has numerous mementos which you can purchase to remind you of your visit. A good spot to visit whilst on the way to the Costa del Sol or Costa Tropical and a nice change from the over developed coastal resorts of Andalucia, pop into Purullena for a taste of the “real” Spain.
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September 3, 2009
Salobrena Costa Tropical
Considered by many to be the “Jewel of the Costa Tropical”, the Andalucian pueblo blanco, Salobrena tumbles down a high rock just inland from the coastline which is known as the Costa Tropical. Domnated by the Moorish castle which looks down on the town from its high position, Salobrena is surrounded by sugar cane plantations, a notable feature of this region of Spain. The Moorish castle (Castillo) was built in the tenth century and was a refuge for its Arabic inhabitants during their long struggle with the Christian troops of the reconquest, there is also evidence of Roman structures showing that Salobrena has an even longer history. Salobrena has eight kilometres of coastline including a fine wide beach of greyish sand, it is a popular location for those seeking a quieter holiday away from the main coastal resorts, but is also an ideal base for those wishing to explore the larger towns of Almunecar and Motril and also the historic city of Granada, which is less than an hours drive away. Costa Tropical Map.
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August 14, 2009
Almunecar – Costa del Sol
One of the more interesting towns on the Costa Tropical section of the Costa del Sol coastline of southern Spain, is the ancient town of Almunecar, a settlement since it was founded by the Phoenicians in 800 BC, it was formerly known as “Sexi”, and in Roman times as “Firmium Julium Sexi”, and was a significant port and commercial town, especially known for fish salting and related industries. The Romans thought it important enough to construct five aqueducts in the region, all of which still stand today and four of which are still used to this day. In the mid-twentieth century the writer Laurie Lee wrote about the town in his well read books and soon after it began to develop as a holiday resort and tourist destination. These days it is a busy coastal resort with a decent range of facilities, it enjoys a typical Costa del Sol climate with long, hot summers and mild winters, Almunecar weather is perfect for family holidays from May to October and also ideal for winter breaks when the climate is warmer than northern Europe. During the Arab occupation of Spain, Almunecar was the final town to fall to the Christians before the fall of Granada. Almunecar has a good range of holiday accommodation and some excellent hotels such as the 4 Star Almunecar Playa Hotel, situated right beside the beautiful Playa de San Cristobal, other beaches include the Puerta del Mar, El Tesorillo, Cantarrijan, and Velilla beach. Map of Almunecar.
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