Ready for a motorhome adventure in the province of Granada? We propose you the most complete tour possible, combining the relaxation of the tropical coastline with the cultural richness of the city of Granada and the beauty of its mountains. On this route we will discover cozy beaches, natural parks, charming villages and historical monuments, always with the comfort of two reference motorhome areas as a base: the Motorhome Area AlClub (Almuñecar) and the Camper Area La Herradura. Both are located on the Costa Tropical, a few meters from the sea and with all the services that the traveler needs. They are also pet-friendly (pets allowed) and family-friendly, ideal for those who travel with children or four-legged companions.
With more than 320 days of sunshine a year and mild temperatures, Granada’s Costa Tropical is a pleasant destination in any season. Let’s start the route! 🚐☀️
Almuñécar: family beaches, millenary history and tropical flavor
Almuñécar will be one of our main stops. This coastal town, known in ancient times as Sexi, combines beach, history and gastronomy in a privileged environment. We can park the motorhome at the AlClub Motorhome Arealocated in a quiet area 400 meters from Velilla Beach. From there, we have everything at hand: beach, stores and the main attractions of Almuñécar.
- Beaches and family leisure: Almuñécar has several urban beaches with a family atmosphere. San Cristobal Beach is very popular for its playgrounds on the sand and all the necessary services to spend the day with children. Other options are Playa Puerta del Mar, right in the center of town, and Playa de Velilla, wide and with gentle waves. In high season they even install assisted bathing points for people with reduced mobility (for example, in Velilla), a detail to be appreciated if we travel with grandparents or elderly people. The kids are also guaranteed fun: right in front of Playa de Velilla is Aquatropic, a water park of 18,000 m² of salt water with multiple pools, slides for all ages, wave pool and water play areas. Perfect plan for hot summer days! And let’s not forget the peculiar Loro Sexi Ornithological Park, with more than 1,500 exotic birds, which fascinates children and adults. Next to the castle is the Botanical-Archaeological Park El Majuelo, a beautiful tropical garden with Roman ruins where in summer markets, concerts and open-air shows are usually organized. If you are looking for something different, you can hop on the Sexi Tuk-Tuk, a motorized tricycle that travels through the narrow streets of the old town on very entertaining guided tours – children love the adventure of riding a tuk-tuk through the city!
- Cultural heritage: Almuñécar has more than 3000 years of history, visible in its monuments. At the top of the old town stands the Castle of San Miguel, a fortress of Phoenician-Roman origin, then Arab and finally reformed after the Reconquest. Today it houses the museum of the city and allows you to walk through towers, dungeons and balconies overlooking the Mediterranean. Nearby is the Cueva de Siete Palacios, an ancient Roman building adapted as a small archaeological museum, whose jewel is an Egyptian funerary urn from the fourteenth century BC found in the area. El Majuelo Park, which we mentioned earlier, combines this historical legacy (Roman salting factory in situ) with botany and art: among its palm trees and sculptures are held in summer events as outstanding as the International Festival of Jazz on the Coast, which brings artists of jazz, blues and soul in night concerts under the stars. Also in summer, in mid-August, Almuñécar celebrates its Fiestas Patronales in honor of the Virgen de la Antigua: for several days there are open-air dances, processions and, on August 15, a spectacular pyromusical fireworks display in the bay that brings together thousands of spectators – one of the most impressive fireworks displays in Andalusia! If you visit on these dates, you will experience a unique atmosphere. Another picturesque date is July 16, when the seafaring neighborhood celebrates the Virgen del Carmen by carrying the image of the virgin in boats along the coast at sunset, with the whole town looking out to sea.
- Tapas and tropical gastronomy: In Almuñécar you will enjoy the typical Granadian tapas: every drink comes with a free tapa courtesy of the house. This allows you to try many local dishes inexpensively – with a couple of rounds you practically have dinner! Some traditional bars are very generous with their tapas (e.g. Los Pajaritos or La Bodeguita, to name two well-known ones). In addition to tapas, Almuñécar’s cuisine mixes flavors from the sea and the tropical land. Here it is essential to try the pescaíto frito (fried fish) and the espetos de sardinas (sardine skewers ) grilled over charcoal next to the beach. In the beach bars of Playa San Cristobal or Velilla you can eat overlooking the sea; many are ideal for families, with an area where children play in the sand while parents relax. Try local specialties such as grilled squid, pil-pil prawns (with spicy garlic) or dishes that incorporate the tropical fruits grown right here: for example, a delicious tuna tartar with mango and avocado, or the refreshing tropical custard apple salad. Dessert? A mango ice cream or a natural custard apple milkshake will remind you of the nickname “Costa Tropical”. And for a special dinner, Almuñécar also offers high quality restaurants such as Firmvm or El Chaleco, with creative cuisine and Michelin awards, in short, a feast for the palate!
- Nature and hiking: In addition to its beaches, Almuñécar is surrounded by green hills and valleys that invite you to explore. A highly recommended route is the Camino de los Pescadores, a historic coastal path that connects Almuñécar with La Herradura on foot. It starts from Cotobro Beach and climbs up the slope of Punta de la Mona, offering spectacular views of hidden coves and the sea. It is about 3.2 km (approx. 2 hours, one way) through pine forests, with the option of a detour to the Cerro Gordo viewpoint before descending to La Herradura. The sunset from this viewpoint, next to an old watchtower, is unforgettable. For the more adventurous, going inland through the Verde River Valley is another top plan: this river forms canyons with crystal clear water pools ideal for canyoning in the Sierra de la Almijara. Local companies offer canyoning routes in Rio Verde with different levels, where you can jump over waterfalls and slide down natural slides safely. If you prefer gentle hikes, from the outskirts of the village there are panoramic trails to the nearby mountains (Peña Escrita, Lomas de Cantalobos, etc.), where you can enjoy sea and mountain views. Tip: The climate here allows hiking almost all year round without suffering extreme cold, but bring water and sun protection especially in summer.
La Herradura: dreamy bay, water sports and coastal relaxation
Just 5 km from Almuñécar we find La Herradura, a picturesque coastal village that owes its name to the horseshoe shape of its bay. Here we have the La Herradura Camping Arealocated in the center of the village but in a quiet area, surrounded by some fruit trees and less than a minute away from bakeries, stores and restaurants. It is the perfect place to spend the night with our motorhome and have the main beach only 200 meters away. This area offers full services of water loading/unloading, electricity, showers, Wi-Fi, laundry, etc., and allows up to 2 pets per plot (with the caveat of keeping them leashed and not accepting dangerous breeds).
La Herradura has a relaxed and very welcoming atmosphere for motorhomers, whether they are families, couples or senior travelers looking for tranquility by the sea. What does this corner of the Costa Tropical have to offer?
- Beach and water activities: La Herradura Beach stretches for 2 km in a bay with transparent and generally calm waters. It is flanked by two promontories: Punta de la Mona to the east (where the Marina del Este marina is located) and Cerro Gordo to the west (a protected natural site). Thanks to this geography, the bay is an ideal refuge for nautical sports. Diving and snorkeling are very popular: the cliffs of Maro-Cerro Gordo, right on the border with Malaga, are home to seabeds full of life and posidonia meadows. At shallow depths you can see orange corals, octopus, moray eels and fish of a thousand colors. In fact, La Herradura is considered one of the best diving destinations in Andalusia, with several centers offering scuba diving baptisms, PADI courses and guided dives. There is even a historic wreck (the remains of an 18th century gunboat) at the bottom of the bay. For those who prefer something above the surface, a star activity is the kayak route along the cliffs: guided excursions of ~2 hours go along the coast towards Maro, exploring sea caves and hidden coves, with stops for snorkeling in crystal clear waters. It is common to spot mountain goats on the coastal rocks from the kayak, or even dolphins if you are lucky. And if you are looking for maximum relaxation, you can go sailing: from Marina del Este they organize boat trips along the coast of Cerro Gordo Park, many at sunset with a glass of champagne included, to enjoy the sunset at sea (sometimes with dolphins accompanying).
- Beach relaxation: Of course, in La Herradura you can also relax on the beach. Here you will find beach bars where you can rent hammocks and taste fresh fish. A typical plan is to take a nice dip in the Mediterranean (the water is pleasant from late spring until October) and then have an ice cream or a freshly made espeto of sardines on the shore. The pace is calm, ideal for adults who want to enjoy the sea without crowds, especially outside July-August. Also, if you travel with dog, you should know that Granada has some pet-friendly beaches: in Almuñécar is enabled the small Playa de la Veintiuna (a rocky cove near Cotobro) where dogs can bathe, and in Motril there is the Playa del Cable with canine area. So pets also enjoy the trip! 🐾
- Culture and local history: Although La Herradura is smaller, it also has a bit of history. Its emblematic monument is the Castillo de La Herradura, an 18th century coastal battery ordered to be built by Charles III. Carefully restored, today it is an interpretation center that commemorates a tragic event: the shipwreck of the armada of 1562. A storm sank 25 Spanish galleys in the bay, with more than 5,000 victims, one of the worst naval catastrophes in the history of Spain. In the rooms of the castle this episode (called the Fury of the Sea) is narrated with emotional panels and audiovisuals. The visit itself is brief but interesting, and from the terrace of the castle overlooks the entire bay of La Herradura and Punta de la Mona. Tip: The castle is usually closed on Mondays, find out current opening times at the local tourist office. Beyond the castle, it is worth strolling through the village and its small promenade, or approaching the Monument to the Men of the Sea (a tribute to the fishermen) that stands on the rocks at one end of the beach. Also, crossing to Punta de la Mona, you can visit the Marina Marina del Este, a picturesque place to see yachts and have a drink on its terraces, and even a small Diving Museum next to the port with historical curiosities of diving.
- Festivals and atmosphere: La Herradura has life all year round, but on certain dates it gets especially lively. In March (around March 19) it celebrates its patron saint festival of San José, with a daytime fair, tapas stalls, music and fireworks at the end. If you travel in spring, it is an opportunity to live with the locals in full party. During Holy Week, as in all Andalusia, images are also carried in procession through the whitewashed streets. And in summer, in addition to beach activities, there are usually concerts in the square and summer cinema. At night, the bay looks charming for a walk under the stars or sit in a chill-out bar facing the sea. The nightlife is quiet and pleasant, suitable for all ages (don’t expect big discos; calm rules here).
Excursions in the province of Granada (optional)
If you have more days or want to extend your route beyond the coast, the province of Granada offers numerous places of interest that you can visit with your motorhome (bearing in mind that you will have to look for adequate parking, as we do not recommend overnight stays outside authorized areas). Here are some suggestions of essential visits in Granada:
- Granada capital: the Andalusian cultural jewel. The Alhambra and the Generalife, the Nasrid monument whose beauty is world famous (it is the second most visited place in Spain!), are a must-see. Strolling through the palaces and gardens of the Alhambra transports you to the time of sultans and kings, with wonders such as the Patio de los Leones or the viewpoints over the city. Then, stroll through the Albaicín neighborhood, with its cobblestone streets and whitewashed houses; from the viewpoint of San Nicolás you will have the classic panoramic view of the Alhambra with Sierra Nevada in the background. Discover also the gypsy neighborhood of Sacromonte, famous for its flamenco caves where you can enjoy zambras and genuine flamenco shows. In the center of Granada do not miss the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel, which houses the mausoleums of the Catholic Monarchs. And, of course, let yourself go from bar to bar: Granada maintains the tradition of free tapas with a drink, so go for tapas in squares like Bib-Rambla, the Realejo or Elvira and savor its university atmosphere. If you are traveling with children, a recommendation is the Parque de las Ciencias, a huge interactive museum with planetarium, butterfly house and scientific exhibitions where the kids can touch and experiment (they will love to play while learning!). In short, Granada city offers a magnificent cultural counterpoint to the days at the beach.
- The Alpujarras: south of the Sierra Nevada extends the Alpujarra region, a group of white villages perched in the mountains that seem to be frozen in time. Particularly noteworthy are those of the Poqueira Valley – Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira – which are the most touristic for their traditional Berber architecture, steep streets and textile handicrafts (carpets and colorful jarapas). Strolling through these villages is a delight, with their fresh water fountains, tinaos (passages under houses) and small shops selling local products. In Pampaneira you can taste homemade chocolate in the local chocolate shop or buy local honey. Capileira offers incredible views of the ravine and is the starting point for hiking trails to the Mulhacén. Bubión is quiet and charming for a hike. Also, in the Alpujarra Alta we find Trevélez, famous for its mountain hams cured in the air of the sierra (tasting some tapas of Trevélez ham is almost a must!), and Lanjarón, known for its thermal waters and historic spa. Touring the Alpujarra by motorhome involves driving along winding mountain roads, but in good condition; go leisurely, enjoying the scenery of ravines, chestnut trees and farmhouses. It is a perfect excursion for those looking for nature, hiking (such as the route between Soportújar -the “village of the witches”- and Pampaneira) and getting to know the rural Andalusian culture.
- Eastern Tropical Coast (Salobreña, Motril): if you feel like exploring other corners of the coast of Granada, to the east of Almuñecar you have very interesting villages. Salobreña is a beautiful white village perched on a coastal rock, crowned by a Moorish castle. Its picture with whitewashed houses and beaches at the foot is postcard. You can climb up to the castle of Salobreña and from there contemplate the panoramic view of the sea and the tropical plain. Motril, meanwhile, is the largest town on the coast and offers a lively local life, museums such as the History Museum (in an old sugar mill) and the Granada Beach with golf courses and beach bars famous for their espetos and seafood. Between Salobreña and Motril there are sugar cane, mango and custard apple plantations that give character to the area. And if you want something different, in Torrenueva (next to Motril) you can visit the new Pasarela del acantilado de Jolúcar, a hanging walkway with a glass floor that hangs 35 m above the sea – not suitable for those who suffer from vertigo! This walkway is part of a coastal path and offers an adrenaline-filled experience with unique views of the cliffs.
- Sierra Nevada: Did you know that Granada is one of the few places where you can be on the beach in the morning and go up to the snow in the afternoon? Just a 1.5 hour drive from the coast brings you to the Sierra Nevada, the mountain massif that is home to the Mulhacen peak (3479 m, the highest peak in peninsular Spain) and a famous ski resort. In fact, Pradollano (the ski resort) is the southernmost ski resort in Europe, with more than 100 km of slopes to enjoy in winter. If you travel in the winter season, it can be tempting to spend a day in the snow: playing with the kids, sledding or skiing with views of the Mediterranean on the horizon on clear days – a unique combination of sea and mountain! In summer, Sierra Nevada is transformed into a paradise for hikers and mountain bikers, with routes that cross glacial lakes, alpine meadows and villages like Pradollano or Capileira at the foot. The access road (through Granada capital and Monachil) goes up without problems for a motorhome, but be careful, it is not advisable to spend the night at the top outside campsites, as night temperatures can be very cold even in spring / autumn. Better plan a day trip and return to a lower altitude to sleep.
- Guadix and the high plateau of Granada: in the northeast of the province, far away from the coast, is the area of Guadix, famous for its cave houses. In Guadix city you can see entire neighborhoods of dwellings dug into the ground, some of which are museums that can be visited (e.g. the Cave Museum of Pottery). The image of the white chimneys peeking out of the ochre hills is very picturesque. Guadix also has an imposing cathedral and is close to the Gorafe Desert, a semi-arid landscape with badlands and amazing geological formations, full of prehistoric dolmens. This area is less touristic than the previous ones, but attracts many motorhomers who love landscape photography and absolute tranquility. Due to its characteristics, there are several service areas in villages of the high plateau (we will not mention any specific one here, but do some research beforehand) where you can spend the night to explore the region at your leisure. Cinephile bonus: A short distance away, already in neighboring Almería, is the famous Tabernas Desert, scene of western films. But that would be another route in itself.
As you can see, Granada offers a world of possibilities for traveling by motorhome. In this route we have combined the sun and beach of the Costa Tropical with trips to the culture and nature of the interior, always prioritizing comfortable and safe stops for motorhomers. Whether you are traveling as a family with small children, with your pet, as a couple or even if you are already retired and take the opportunity to travel out of season, you will find plans to suit you. Children will enjoy water parks, beaches with games and outdoor activities; adults will savor the local gastronomy, wines and tapas; the older ones will appreciate the relaxed pace of the coastal towns in autumn and winter, and the rich history of places like the Alhambra or the castle of Almuñécar.
Before we finish, a couple of practical tips: in high summer season, book in advance your place in the motorhome areas of Almuñécar and La Herradura, as they fill up quickly. Avoid driving or parking the motorhome in the center of Granada city – better to use public transport or parking lots on the outskirts if you go to the city. And on the coast, remember that free camping is not allowed: take advantage of the official areas to spend the night safely and respecting the rules, so we all enjoy and take care of the environment.
We hope this guide will help you plan an unforgettable trip. Get your camera, flip-flops and jacket ready (in case you go up to the Sierra Nevada!), because Granada has it all: from swimming among fish in tropical coves to walking on snow in the same trip. At every sunrise you will hear the murmur of the sea or the silence of the mountains, and every sunset will leave you with indelible memories.
Have a good road, routero! And as they say in these parts: enjoy, that’s what it’s all about! 😃🚐
References: We have elaborated this post based on information from official tourism sources and experiences of motorhome travelers: the Costa Tropical guide of Areas Autocaravanas Andalucía, specialized travel portals and local pages of Granada. Always consult updated sources for details of schedules and rules, and have a good trip!
- Motorhome Areas: Motorhome route along the tropical coast.
- Granada Tourist Board: https://turgranada.es
- Tourism in Almuñécar – La Herradura: https://turismoalmunecar.es
- Cerro Gordo – La Herradura Trail (info and routes): https://es.wikiloc.com/rutas/senderismo/espana/andalucia/la-herradura
