So many new members, , and great reviews to read...This is going to be a full-time challenge.LOL......
So many new members, , and great reviews to read...This is going to be a full-time challenge.LOL...elinor.
Member since:06.05.2005
Reviews:40
Members who trust:22
I first visited Salobrena two years ago, when in January I decided I had had enough S.A.D. I wasn't prepared to hybernate any longer. I chose my destination from the internet. Am so glad I did! January was very quiet, but there was Sun and lots of it. We had two days rain in 28 days. But then they only have 11 days rain a year.!
We flew to Malaga, and drove East along the coast for one hour of quite dramatic scenes, before reaching our destination. There, below us, nestling in a small bay was the prettiest place we had ever seen. The highest mountains, covered in Olive, Almond, Orange & Lemon trees, just waiting to be picked. Salobrena tucked in below these mountains was sheltered and warm.
The shopping centre is small compared to some of the larger towns, there are not too many souvenier shops, just enough for the residents really. A few speaking English, thats it! You really need to speak Spanish, although they are all willing to help.
The town
itself is only five to ten minutes walk to the beach, where Restuarants are many, fishing boats linger on the beach, The waves lap gently on the glistening stones, many of them semi-precious.
To the North of the town is a mountain with white pablo houses that are snuggling together, steep, narrow, flower lined streets wend their way up eventually reaching the castle on the top. The view from the turretts are spectacular. To the South the Mediteranian spreads along the coast for miles. North and the mountains stand proudly, their tops covered in snow.
There is a park with a large pond for the many ducks and swans, a bridge that the chilren can cross to drop food for them, climbing frames, tea rooms and a small aviary with a selection a birds, rabbits and chicks. Not everyones taste but the children love it. There is also a golf course just along the beach.
A ten minute drive East, you will find the nearest town, Motril a Spanish home town, with a very decent hospital, two markets a week, a large park in the centre, many good shops and resturants. Very good for a small remote town. However not so remote now that Granada, 45 minutes drive North, up through the mountains from Salobrena, has opened it's airport and flights from Gatwick and Stanstead are now frequent.
Salobrena is on the coast, cross the road and head north to Granada, 10 minutes up this road you will find the towns of Orgiva and Lanjaron where the purest water in Spain is bottled. The drive is quite dramatic, the narrow mountain roads are steep, without defences alongside the sheer drops, the bends are as tight as they can be, however the views are worth it, and the properties although old are being gradually updated. Orgiva has a larger town centre, with quite a population of British residents. Very spiritual, and practicing their therapies. probably about a twenty minute drive from the sea.
Turn left off the Granada road over a little Blue Bridge and the road will start twisting and turning into the valley between the most spectacular mountains, towards three wonderful little hamlets, still mostly in their natural state, with houses built into the mountain side. Guarja Fondon is the first that you will come across. Dipping down from the road into the valley, where donkeys are still used. No shops or schools here, but on up the valley driving higher and higher you will find Guarja Faraquet where here are a few shops, a school a couple of pubs and a restuarant. But don't stop here, because, if you drive for another fifteen minutes up the mountain, further into the interior, you will eventually find the last of the three hamlets, Guarja Alto.
After many aaahhh's and ooohhh's on the way up you will let out a Wow!!! This is the one worth all the winding and turning up the narrow road for, There are two restuarants, and a pub. The houses are well tended, the gardens are colourful and beautifully displayed. The views are indescribable. You will just have to go there for yourself, but the drive is not for the feint hearted. However, to cheer you up a bit, there is a coach that drives up and back from Salobrena & Motril three times a day, A coach that goes to Granada once a week, what more could you want? If a coach can do it, so can you! There are one or two small places where you can stay overnight if you wish. Just ask in the restuarant at the top. The Summer Festivals in these hamlets are crowded, fun and friendly, with roasts, fireworks and dancing that goes on all night,
The road finally stops here, you can go no further, although there is a path winding up further into the mountains, where many tourists spend hours looking at the flowers, cacti, birds and wild deer and goats. Of course many get lost and take hours getting back, Prepare for a long day and you won't be dissapointed, it was here that I saw my first Hoopoo bird. and let out the loudest Wow!
Finally, to the West of Salobrena along the coast, after about fifteen minutes drive, you will find Almuneca, a larger town than Motril, some beautiful shops, Water World on the beach. Also a super Friday market, that is any shoppers dream.
This has been a little guide of Salabrena and nearby surrounding towns and hamlets, in CostaTropical. Further up the Granada road are many more lovely places of interest, that hopefully I will write about shortly.
I hope you have enjoyed this trip around Costa Tropical, if so please comment! thank you Elinor.
Pictures of Andalucia (Spain)
Restaurants on the seafront...Salobrena
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