Salobrena Granada is a town built on a rock, preserving its Arab heritage, with its narrow streets, corridors and labyrinths and the facades of the houses which are full of flowers. Highly recommended if you want a quiet place near the beach.
A very quiet beach with a lot to offer in terms of hospitality in the surrounding area. The sunsets here, as you can see in the photo, are worth the trip. The water is pretty cold as the Cantabrian air blows in from the west.
Crowning the Salobreña Albaycin is 10th century Moorish castle which adds a medieval charm to the Albaycin and offers some of the most spectacular views to be had in Salobreña. I'd recommend heading up there just before sunset to see the castle contrast with the pinks and purples of the sky and enjoy the dun dipping behind the Mediterranean cliffs. Not to be missed!
The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary in Salobreña was built on the remains of an ancient Muslim mosque in the sixteenth century, and is located next to the castle that dominates the town. The temple is Mudejar style with a square bell tower. The roof of the church was once characterised by magnificent wood paneling, but was destroyed in a fire in the eighteenth century.
From Plaza del antiguo Ayuntamiento we went to Plaza de la Iglesia and found this curious passage called La Bóveda. Its name comes from a vaulted sixteenth century passage that the connected the neighborhood with the old medina. The side access is a shutter entrance to the old walled city that was mostly used for the entry and exit of goods .
When you see the village of Salobreña in the distance (white houses at the foot of a cliff guarded by its castle from the top) I can not imagine having the City Council in a building with such modern architecture, and a new wide square sharing that space with the City Auditorium. I was looking for the tourist office to get some information about the points of interest in the town, but this information is in a different location. This can be found in the Plaza de Goya, where you can find plans, maps, subject guides, hiking trails, and media all about Salobreña. The phone in the Tourist office is Tel and Fax: +34 958 610 314
The historical museum of Salobreña has, on the second floor, an artisans center called "Sala Guirado Andres" in tribute to this artist's craft. The room has samples of their work and you can buy souvenirs of Salobreña, ceramic objects, glass, stone and metal frames. You can also admire various different sized models Salobreña Castle. Admission is free and the hours are 10.30-13.00 and 16.00-17.30.
If you go to Salobreñ, be sure to see this small but interesting museum, with all the exhibits you'll get an idea of the different cultures that passed through Salobreña over time (Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Arabic). The museum is in Plaza del Ayuntamiento (where the old City Hall is located), on the first floor there are archaeological objects from both land and sea, the second floor has the Gabriel Guirado room where the artist craftsman exhibits his work. Admission is free.
Walking around Salobreña will undoubtedly lead to the most representative neighbourhoods in the town, with medieval streets and balconies. The street intertwine and were previously protected by the castle and its walls. Moorish neighbourhoods like La Loma, El Brocal, La Fuente and Albaycín will not leave you indifferent, and in each of these are corners full of light and the smell of fresh flowers... The Placeta.
In Salobreña in recent years a magnificent Town Hall was built in Plaza Juan Carlos I, but this little place steeped in history is still called Plaza del Ayuntamiento, as the old City Hall was here in the sixteenth century and was considered to be the main square. From here you can visit the historical center, the castle and the City Museum. It still retains the old jail and from there is a view of the entire town . Currently it is undergoing a remodeling that will change its image completely and will give it the splendor of times when it was the hub of Salobreña social life. The new square design keeps the essence of the above, retrieving elements that have gone, such as the fountain.
The most impressive road to travel in this beautiful town is, without a doubt, the one that leads to the castle. It's a small place, but it's worth it as in every corner there is an amazing photo opportunity and it's worth a pause. Upon arrival, a paradise of Hibiscus and Buganvilias welcomes you. Then the beautiful cobbled streets and their perfectly white houses do the rest. The ascent to the castle is lovely, as there are many interesting plants and shadows, and being so high means the air is fresh too.
The historic centre of Salobreña represents the charm of many place. It's full of history and culture while nestled in a beautiful spot. Tucked inside the old medieval wall that protected the area, with irregular streets, steep and twisting, Old Town talks about its Nazari past. Areas like La Loma, Brocal, Albaicin (sound familiar, right?) show us white and pristine prints dotted with many colours. Flowers reign here. And at the juncture stands the beautiful image of the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary. Loaded with stories and legends of the past, the tourist office has dramatised walking tours that serve to help visitors understand the legacy of this old town that goes beyond its beautiful flowers. An ideal place to wander leisurely, enjoying the smells, along with the beautiful pictures and Andalucian heritage. Without hesitation, one of my favourite places.
Did you know that the Costa Tropical in and around Salobreña, Spain is the only sub-tropical climate in Europe and the only region which produces tropical fruits like bananas, avocados, mangos, guavas, and castor apples? The Finca Matagallares is a great place for nature lovers and those passionate about the environment and sustainability.
The organic farm is run by Miguel, a passionate Andalusian who grows and harvests acres of tropical fruit by hand, with little to no help, not out of hardship but out of passion. And it shows! We took a tour of the farm and ended up sampling some of the delicious local fruit. An amazing variety fo avocado that had an almost peanut-like taste, delicious chirimoyas (castor apples, in English, a Peruvian fruit which is sweet and delicate, almost like a cross between a banana and a melon), and homemade guacamole.
The farm also has some pretty spectacular views of Salobreña and the bay. If you get tired of the beach, it's a nice place to go for a hike and some delicious fruit in the foothills.
Salobreña, on the coast of the province of Granada, has a perfectly air conditioned and modern auditorium for holding shows, events, presentations, trade shows, etc .... It's on the Avenida Mediterraneo, with capacity for almost 400 people and is equipped with the latest technology for the organisation and holding of conferences and assemblies. The staff are excellent.
Salobreña is my favorite corner of the Costa Tropical, which is quite a feat considering the amount of charming white villages which dot the Andalusian coastline. The most interesting part of Salobreña, however, is not its boardwalk or beach, but it's ancient Albaycin which crawls down along the top of the village's rocky butte from the Moorish castle.
It'd be hard to find a more picturesque place in the entire world (with the exception of it's bigger cousin in Granada). The Moorish architecture and influence are definitely present, but a distinctly Andalusian flavor has crept in as well. White walls hung with colored mosaics, tile work virgins, geraniums....vine-covered arches concealing Moorish patios with their shady, sensual corners and fountains. It's like being transported back in time.
I'd suggest heading up in the mid-to-late afternoon, exploring the neighborhood a bit, maybe stopping for a caña and tapa at one of the little bars, and walking along the top of the ancient citadel walls to the Salobreña castle to enjoy the sunset.