Almuñécar Things to Do

This is a locally written bilingual magazine with lots of useful info on places to eat, things to do and life in general in this area. Ideal holiday reading. Jokes, puzzles, useful local telephone numbers, and more. There is also a forum called Costaliving Forum. Both magazine and forum are of interest to anybody interested in this area and in particular to those who may be visiting with a view to moving to the area. Highly recommended.
Available at El Globo Cafe Bar, also recommended, Paseo Almunecar. (above the underground car park).

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A fun day out for the kids without having to go far - The water park on Playa de Velilla which is easy reached on foot from the center of town.

Featuring various swimming pools with the healthier option of purified seawater, it boasts rapids, slides and the 'black hole' and such the like, it kept our three amused all day. It is not a huge park, just enough for a chilled out days amusement. Covering an area of approximately 18.000 sq. metres, bordering on the Mediterranean on one side and the Velilla promenade on the other.

There are plenty of 'green zones' where you can set up camp under the shade of some trees, or you can rent a sunbed around the main pool area (cost extra 2.50 euros). Main entry fees vary according to what you're after. A family ticket (2 dults/2 kids) is 36 euros (2008), but you can get a two day pass (adults 18 euros/kids 14 euros) and a weekly pass (adults 33 euros/kids 21) or just go for the afternoon from 3pm (adults 9 euros/kids 6) The park becomes a disco in the evening during summer months .

Also at extra cost, are safety deposit boxes (3 euros) and a variety of rubber floating things.
(Recommend you rent one for the Balck Hole or you could spend alot of time queuing).

The usual food and beverage places can be found or you can take your own picnic (recommended). Apparently, adults can receive a massage while you're there too.

We parked a rather large van right outside (August '05, car '06, car '08) if not, there is a free (unmade surface) beach side car park a little further up on the same side twards town.

Friday mornings behind the (dreaded) MacDonalds - Mostly the usual tacky market stuff, but colourful, cheap and cheerful - What more could you want with the kids in tow. You may even find the odd decent flamenco cd.

For smaller people, the market feria dresses are much cheaper to buy here. You can also grab an array of flowers for your hair. These are not the authentic feria dresses, which are much heavier and more pricey, but these are lighter for the heat and alot of fun.

The market also boasted a good cd stall and is much cheaper for hats than the sea front (you will need one if you are not used to the heat).

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Almunecar has 19 kms of coastline, incorporating 26 different beaches. These beaches are not white sand; most have pebbles, some have sand, but all have very clear water.

Based on the western side of town is playa San Cristobal. Here you will find sand, chiringuitos and all facilities. The atmosphere is usually lively, although never too lively (we were there in August and it was just fine and good for the small people). This beach has been awarded the blue flag for cleanlines and facilities.

We also took a short drive alng the coast (direction Mlaga 4kms) to La Herradura beach. A horseshoe shaped bay, sheltered from the breeze by the hills, it is very popular and yet unspoilt. Beach bars line the promenade and the village of La Herradura can be explored in the evening.

El Muerto beach is a charming small cove boasting light, fine sand and is reached by a pathway through the rocks.

The pretty Cotobro beach has attractive retaurants and bars.

The largest and liveliest beach is Velillla. Popular and close to hotels and apartment blocks, this is rarely a quiet option, but a happy spot for families and fun.

Nearly all these beaches are good for snorkling and there is an abundance of fish to spot in very shallow water.

Boats can be hired on the busier beaches, there is a dive school at Marina del Este and La Herradura specialises in windsurfing etc

Sadly due to global warming which is causing the sea temperature to rise, the med has seen big swarms of jellyfish in shallow waters in recent years. There is now a flag system that warns you if it is safe to swim. We had around 2 days where some of these little monsters arrived, but otherwise it wa ok. You will know when they're there as they're in their thousands! The local council has invested in sea cleaning boats which clear them up pretty quick. They cause a sting which is best treated with vinegar directly on the sting. Nothing serious, but unpleasant all the same.

"As it has for centuries, the Castillo de San Miguel dominates the Almunecar skyline. Originally built by Romans in the 1st century BC, the Moors developed the castle into an impressive fortress whose defences included three separately walled precincts, 46 towers and turrets and three main gates".

In the old part of town, the castle is at the top of the hill (recommend you go in the cool of the early morning/evening). In extremely 'good nic' for it's amazing age, this is a must for lovers of castles and there are some lovely views of the town and coastline, so take your camera. For those interested in archaeology, there are some extremely old artifacts in the castle museum.

*Update* The castle turned out to be almost next door to our little house. Very nice, although you can see the modern refurbs clearly, it still has a good castle vibe ; ) Some evenings there were concerts held. These were of good quality musicianship, in a very medeival night time atmosphere and a bargain at 5 euros to get in. Recommended.

a monthly magazine (A5 size) and free, which gives you information on what's on and where to go. We followed the guide to a Restaurant called the Blu Bar in the centre of Almunecar and it was fantastic!

Almunecar has one of the more splendid Oficina de Tourismo in the region! It is located in a wonderful, multicoloured Palace not far from the San Cristobal seafront. Enter via the side gate on Avenida de Europa.

This is the Najarra Palace, dating from the nineteenth century. It also has a leafy, tranquil garden, with palm trees and a neo-Islamic fountain.

It seemed to keep typical Almunecar hours, closing for a long lunch mid-afternoon then staying open till early evening. It was open on Mondays too.

There is also a small tourist booth not far from Almunecar's Bus Station, near the main through-route, on Avenida Fenicia. I would recommend you stop there first when you arrive by coach.

We stumbled across this wonderful fountain a few metres from out hotel. How splendid, hopefully a taste of things to come further into the town. Very helpfully for tourists it displays its date of origin in big numerals - 1559. But as you can see, these are not the only big things on display!

The fountain's facade dates from the days of catholic King Ferdinand, but the original water channels are Roman.

Apparently the buxom lady is a goddess of fertility.