Property Maps and Zones - Costa Tropical and the Lecrin Valley - Granada Province

The Costa Tropical is the name given to the province of Granada’s 60 kilometre of coastline; much of it is very tranquil with attractive towns, and panoramic stretch of coast.

El Valle de Lecrín from the coast to Granada, located on the southwestern slopes of the Sierra Nevada among deep ravines and mountain scenery. The physical layout of the valley stretches from the peaks of Cerro del Caballo (3,050 metres) to gentle rolling hills. There are a variety of villages large and small scattered among the hillsides rich with vines, cherry, almonds and olive groves.

Albondón can be found on the south face of the Sierra de la Contraviesa mountain range descending towards the Mediterranean coast in the lower region of the Alpujarra. The mild subtropical climate is perfect for growing almonds and vines that produce a very popular local wine, which make it the wine capital of the area. The whitewashed village stands out against the permanent green of the landscape. The old town has many remains of Moorish architecture as well as the inherited narrow streets.

Albuñol lies in a valley at the foot of Las Yeseras, close to the Mediterranean coast. It is also gifted with a mild sub-tropical climate giving perfect conditions for cultivating figs and the vines that produce the local wine. The southern end of this village ends on the Costa Tropical and along to its important coastal extension of La Rábita, which is enclosed in a rocky creek with a small beach and fishing fleet.

Castell de Ferro lies in the municipality of Gualchos and also enjoys a mild subtropical climate with the gentle breeze, clear sky and the tranquil sea of the south Mediterranean, From its historical past, it preserves remnants of its roots as a fishing village. It is quite sheltered and the remains of an atalaya (watchtower) stands on the hilltop dominating the scenery.

Carchuna and Calahonda are two villages in the Motril area. Carchuna has a wide beach and clear waters and lies at the foot of the mountain range of the same name. The castle built in 1783 by Charles III dominates the pueblo; there is also a site with Prehistoric paintings of the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. Calahonda (deep cove) lies at the other end of the bay protected from the east winds by a massive rock wall, the waters are very deep hence the name of the pueblo.

Motril protected by the Sierra de Lújar, is considered the capital of the Tropical Coast, a natural outlet for the products of la Alpujarra and the Valle de Lecrín. It enjoys a mild subtropical climate supporting the growth of sugar cane and tropical fruits, which are grown in the rich and fertile plain that opens up to the Mediterranean. The city has a lively port, lovely beaches with numerous watersports and fishing and golf course.

Salobreña is a white town tumbling down the Gran Peñon (large rock) crowned by the ruined shell of a ruined Moorish castle surrounded by a sea of sugar cane fields and tropical fruits contrasting with the intense blue of the Mediterranean. The town centre is made up of several neighbourhoods built within the town walls during the Middle Ages; Albaycín, de la Loma, el Brocal and la Fuente are still maintained in their original Mediaeval layout of labyrinths, winding streets, passageways, arches and geranium covered windows.

Salobreña boasts many beautiful coves hidden among the cliffs, tropical gardens with tropical bird life and many watersports and activities. Almuñécar is Granada’s main seaside resort and retains much of its historical beauty. It lies at the westernmost end of the Costa Tropical at the foot of the wide Valle del Río Verde. Originally called Sexi, when founded by the Phoenicians who were attracted by the abundance of fish and minerals. Under Roman control it was fortified and became one of the most important commercial colonies along the coast. A 4th Century fish-salting plant, stretches of Roman Aqueduct and a Phoenician acropolis are amongst some of the sights not to be missed. From its Arab past, there is a castle built on the remains of a Roman fort and surrounding the castle a Botanic Garden possessing a large collection of subtropical plants and the aviary with a large collection of tropical birds.

Along the coastline are small coves set amongst steep cliffs, alternating with wide beaches, 26 beaches make up the coastline of Almuñécar, many of which are close to the town itself. The sea is clear and transparent making it popular for sub aqua sports as well as sailing and water skiing. Padul lies between the west face of the Sierra Nevada and to the south, the Sierra de Los Guájares, in the Natural Parque de Sierra Nevada. It has a microclimate due to its sheltered position in the valley and is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, cherry and almond trees.

Dúrcal lies on the southwest face of the Natural Parque de Sierra Nevada, it is rich with orange and lemon orchards and sugar cane. With Dúrcal always being a convenient place to stop between Granada and the coast, the 19th century saw the construction of two significant engineering projects in transportation. One being a 38-kilometre long cableway that transported local goods to the harbour in Motril. Unfortunately this was dismantled in 1958. The other is the iron bridge, which has been used by the railway.

Lecrín named after the valley it lies in set amidst orange, lemon and olive groves. The municipality of Lecrín and together with other villages forms a part of the Natural Parque de Sierra Nevada. This municipality was formed in 1967 with the voluntary union of Acequias, Chite, Talará, Murchas and Mondújar and in 1973 of Béznar. After the expulsion of the moors the central part of this valley was left virtually uninhabited. However, the Moors did leave behind them a wealth of monuments, flourmills, ancient castles and simple farmhouses that are scattered in this area.

Guájar-Alto, Guájar-Faragüit and Guájar-Fondón make up the municipality of Los Guájares, which lies in the Guájares mountain range. They lie in a narrow valley winding among orange and chirimoya (custard apple) trees, old water deposits and beautiful ravines. Guájar-Alto sits at the highest spot on the mountain, the last point on the road that links these three hidden away villages with their steep narrow streets. Guájar-Faragüit is the administrative head of the three with the Ayuntamiento (town hall) and municipal services being located here. Guájar-Fondón is the lowest of the three surrounded by olive and almond trees and watered by the Río de la Toba.

Veléz de Benaudalla lies on the banks of river Guadalfeo where it flows after descending from the Alpujarra between the Sierra de Lújar and the Sierra de Guájares. This village retains much of its Moorish past with its Nasrid Gardens that are a subtle combination of water, trees and garden flowers.

Lújar lies in the Sierra de Lújar which is situated to the north of the Cabo Sacratif and Calahonda, its landscape is made up of corcho (cork), madronas (arbutus or strawberry tree) and pino (pine) trees are plentiful. It is a small village reached by a picturesque route along the ridge of the Sierra de Carchuna. The village is surrounded by numerous trails and is popular for trekking and mountain biking to the highest point of the sierra of 1870 metres.

Rubite is a small village close to the Mediterranean and Costa Topical, it lies in the Sierra de la Contraviesa in the Lower Alpujarra. The mild subtropical climate is favourable for growing figs and raisins; the vineyards produce popular local wines and liquors.