Salobrena
The picture postcard village of Salobrena is situated on the Costa Tropical in the Andalusian province of Granada; it’s known as the ‘jewel of the Costa Tropical’, the village is ideally located, on the beach, in a wonderful sunny climate, yet just 45 minutes from the historical city of Granada, and the skiing resort of the Sierra Nevada. You can literally mix a ski and beach holiday.
With the Mediterranean sea at your feet and the snowy mountains of the Sierra Nevada to your back, you couldn’t wish for a better combination, Salobrena is a delightful place to visit any time of the year.
History
The history of town dates back over 6000 years, it’s privileged location and climate has attracted settlers from very early on.
Cultural attractions
There is a Moorish castle in the town, which dates back to the 10th century, and which affords some magnificent views around the area. There is also a Mudejar-style 16th century church. There have been several sites excavated in the local area with
Roman remains.
A visit to the museum, within the municipal library, will tell you more about the history of Salobrena. With the help of model and visual aids, the museum tells how Salobrena was once
practically an island, before the river gradually deposited its sediment to form the rich delta that along with the climate explains the abundance of crops such as sugar cane.
About town
The centre of Salobrena, which is built on an impressive rock, is a maze of whitewashed houses, which fall into the districts of Brocal, Albaycín, La Fuente and La Loma. Exploring the town is a lovely way to pass a day; don’t take a map, just head in the direction that takes your fancy, you’ll find charming interesting spots all of town. Plus you can only really go up or down in Salobrena!
Beaches
The beautiful, wide sandy beach at Salobrena is split in two by Penon rock. The beach is a short walk from the town, but is home to several “chiringuitos” (beach restaraunts).
Outdoor pursuits
If you enjoy an active holiday, then you will love Salobrena. The excellent combination of coast and
countryside, offers a host of options when it comes to outdoor pursuits: hiking, rambling, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, water sports, golf, tennis, fishing and sailing, amongst many others.
Festivals
The week of Semana Santa (Holy Week) is worth experiencing in Salobrena. From the 24th to the 29th of June the town celebrates their San Juan and San Pedro Fair, which is followed in October by the festival in honour of the Virgin of the
Rosario, the patron of Salobrena.
The summer season attracts many concerts and shows to Salobrena, many of which take place in the evening in the spectacular setting of the Arabic castle. One of these events not to be missed is the “Lucero del Alba” flamenco festival,
when the historic castle turns into a romantic setting for a delightful display of traditional music and dancing.
Eating out
Salobrena enjoys a lively cultural and social scene and there are some excellent tapas bars and restaurants around town. Enjoy a free 'tapa' with every drink you order, and then you don’t have to buy lunch!
Climate
The Costa Tropical takes its name from the sub-tropical climate that it enjoys. With warm winters and long hot summers, the average temperature is around 20C.