Discover Salobreña

Salobreña Spain

Salobreña is a beautiful, classic, white-washed village that sits atop a giant rock, capped with an ancient Moorish castle and surrounded by a blanket of lush farmland. It's one of the most attractive towns on the entire Spanish Mediterranean coast.

With a population of just over 12,000, Salobreña is much smaller than the neighboring towns of Almuñécar and Motril... but far prettier, and is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations in Southern Spain.

➜ Continue reading to find out why...

---

The Jewel of the Costa Tropical

Some people refer to Salobreña as the "Jewel of the Costa Tropical"... and they wouldn't be wrong. Spend the day exploring the winding streets and alleys of this pretty little town and you will soon understand why it's one of Andalucia's best-kept secrets.

As you approach Salobreña for the first time, it truly is a sight to be seen... The old quarter was built high upon a giant crag wrapping around an ancient Moorish castle and its narrow streets are overflowing with bright pink and purple flowers.

From the old town, you will enjoy spectacular views of the Sierra del Chaparral mountain range behind the village and the Mediterranean Sea just below.

---

Everything You Need to Know!

---

Salobreña Highlights - Not to Miss!

1. The Moorish Castle - Situated at the top of the town and built in the 10th century. Salobreña's TOP Site!

2. The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario - A 16th-century Mudejar church built on the remains of an old mosque near the top of the town.

3. The Town Museum - Housed in the former town hall in the old town and containing important relics dating back to Neolithic times.

4. El Peñon - The large rock jutting into the sea that served as a prison in the 1st and 2nd centuries and then later as a Christian burial site.

5. The Sugar Factory - The last working sugar factory in Europe lies just to the west of Salobreña, in the small neighboring village of La Caleta.

6. Los Moriscos Golf Course - An 18-hole golf course located only 5 kilometers to the east of Salobreña, adding to the town's growing popularity.

---

Salobreña is a small village in the Costa Tropical, so it doesn't have as many hotels and amenities as some of the larger towns. However, there are several nice places to stay that we highly recommend.

Remember, if you can't find what you're looking for in Salobreña, make sure to check out the options in Almuñécar, La Herradura, and Motril... they are just minutes down the coast.

---

See our guides below for some great ideas:

---

These are the TOP Four Hotels we recommend in Salobreña

---

The Top 25 Things to See & Do in Salobreña

There is no shortage of things to do in Salobrena, from exploring the ancient Moorish castle, to strolling through the bustling local markets, or relaxing on the beautiful beaches along the coast. But that's not all...

Below are Salobreña's TOP 25 attractions, sights, activities, and excursions....

---

This is a MUST DO while in Salobreña! The most interesting and historic sites are found in the old town, as well as great restaurants, miradors overlooking the Mediterranean, and beautiful flower-filled streets that you would only find in a classic Andalucian village.

The old town of Salobrena is a maze of bougainvillea-lined streets and alleys that climb steadily toward the old Moorish castle. It can be quite a climb, but once at the top you will be rewarded with incredible views...

Imagine the snow-capped mountains of the Sierra del Chaparral, the green and yellow of the surrounding farmland fanning out to touch the sea, and the small village of La Caleta gently rising from the sugar cane fields on the neighboring hillside.

It is a sight not to be missed! ... So, let's go!

---

This beautiful terrace was once home to Salobreña's earliest settlers. We know this because of the many important artifacts that have been found here dating to 3000 - 2000 BC.

The patio is adorned with beautiful flowers and shrubs, exploding palms, and a small sanctuary where candles are lit each morning.

Take a stroll around the super-sized patio and enjoy the incredible views of the sea and impressive castle towering above.

---

From the Paseo de las Flores, go back out to the main road and walk across to the other side. Just in front of you, you will see the "Mirador El Postigo" with a plaque denoting its location on the wall to the left.

Where today you will find an observation deck with incredible views of the Sierra del Chaparral Mountains, during the middle ages this would have been a second gate into Salobreña.

At that time, it was called "Postigo del Mar", which means "Door to the Sea". It was given this name because the gate led from the village center to the port and beaches below.

---

From the Mirador "El Postigo", make your way down the street away from the Paseo de las Flores. As you round the corner there will be a quaint little cafe on your right. This is a great place to stop and have a snack and a cool drink. The area around the cafe is beautiful.

---

Once you've cooled off, keep heading down the same street in the same direction. Take your first right just after the cafe and walk up the hill. You will come to a gorgeous little street on the right-hand side, bursting with pink and purple Bougainvillea.

There is an art gallery on the left-hand side with signs pointing towards the Arabic Castle above. Climb to the top of the street / stairway and you will find the entrance to the Salobreña Castle.

The Castle was built by the Moorish people who inhabited this area in the 10th century and later reformed by the Christians. The castle has been used as a prison, a military defense structure, and as a palace for Muslim nobility.

Read the Salobreña Castle Guide for more information.

---

When you are done visiting the castle, come back down the same stairway that you went up. At the bottom, take a right. You will come across the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario on your left.

This Mudéjar style church was built on what was once the town's only mosque. Mudéjar refers to a style of ornamentation and decoration in post-Islamic Christian Spain that was strongly influenced by Moorish taste and workmanship.

The square in front of the church was used as a cemetery until 1789. In 1821, much of the church's roof was destroyed in a fire but was later rebuilt.

Walk around the church and enjoy the beautiful views from the terrace towards the sea. From there, walk along the side of the church and down the steps, take a right and you will find the next site on our tour, "La Boveda".

---

The tunnel vault or "La Boveda" was built in the 16th century using the existing fortified wall of the town. It is thought that the vault was built to create more space for the church and its atrium above. It was built while the new Rosary Church was being constructed on top of the existing Muslim mosque.

La Boveda was once a passageway that connected the Muslim living area or "Albaycín" to the commercial area of town or "Medina". The doorway on the left-hand side would have been the only secondary entrance into the fortified town. This is where supplies would have been brought in.

Explore this area and then head back to the beginning of the tunnel, take a right and you will find yourself in the old town square. This is a good place to stop for a bite to eat.

---

Now that you have found the Old Town Hall Plaza, you can do a quick tour of the History Museum located in the building in front of you (the former Town Hall or Ayuntamiento).

The History Museum houses a diverse collection of artifacts that have been found all over Salobreña, dating from Neolithic times. Here you will see the oldest human remains found in the Cueva del Capitan, ceramic urns, ancient coins, and much more.

There are also miniature models of the castle, church, and its tower.

Under the building, you can also tour the old town jail that was built in the 16th century.

---

⭐ This is where our tour ends, but there is so much more to see and do... Read on to learn more about the top things to do in Salobrena and other places of interest.

---

MORE ➜ Things to Do in Salobreña

Just 5-minutes to the west of Salobreña is a small fishing village called La Caleta. It's an area that grew up around the old sugarcane factory which at the time was the pride of Salobreña. The factory has since closed its doors, but the little town is still a great place to visit.

Take a walk through its winding streets and grab a cold drink and tapa at one of its charming cafes. Afterward, make your way to Lavadero Square where you will find a pretty stone pathway that takes you around the cliffs to Caletón Cove, a small cove and beach with amazing views of Salobreña and the Peñon!

---

Salobreña is known for its long, wide sandy beaches... there are at least six... each with its own unique charm. The waters are generally calm, thanks to the protection of the bay, and are ideal for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. During the summer months, they're patrolled by lifeguards for the safety of beachgoers.

The main beach, Playa de Salobreña (which is made up of three beaches separated by dry riverbeds; Playa Molino, Playa Salomar and Playa Mayorazgo), is right next to the town and is characterized by its smooth white sand and gentle surf. Here you'll find the iconic Peñón de Salobreña, a rocky outcrop that juts out into the sea.

This beach is usually lively, with many amenities nearby, such as restaurants, cafes and shops. From here you have a fantastic view of the whitewashed houses of Salobreña rising up to the castle.

To the west of the main beach is Playa del Peñón, a small cove created by the Peñón on its eastern side. It's one of the busiest beaches and is popular for rock jumping. Further along the coast you'll find Playa de la Guardia, which is quieter and more secluded, offering a peaceful retreat with the same dark sand and clear waters.

Smaller coves and bays can also be found between the cliffs along the coast to the east... Cambrón Cove, Pargo Cove, and Caletón Cove.

The beauty of this area, coupled with the views of the old town and the Moorish castle, make the beaches of Salobreña truly unique in the region.

---

Salobreña is surrounded by sugarcane farms and fruit plantations. Several interesting walks take you through these areas where you will learn more about the tropical fruits and other products that are grown locally.

Because the land is flat the walks are easy and very relaxing...

Try one of these walks:
Salobreña Castle ➜ Fertile Sugarcane Fields ➜ Coastal Path - 3.44 miles
Camino del Canal Pathway ➜ Botanical Walk through the Countryside - 3.08 miles

---

In recent years, Salobreña has done a lot in terms of modernizing and updating its beachfront promenades and bike paths. A completely new promenade has been added to the western end of the beach while new bike paths have been installed around the main Salobreña crag.

These new paths connect to existing paths along the beachfront going east, this is a fabulous area to cycle around and the perfect way to explore Salobreña!

Several local companies specialize in bike rentals:
costatropicalcycling.com

---

In Salobreña, like in most of the Costa Tropical towns, delicious chiringuitos line the beaches. These are great options for a mid-day snack or a leisurely lunch with friends.

One of the best and most festive areas to enjoy a good Spanish meal is right beside the great Salobreña Peñon, between Playa Guardia and Playa Molino. Here you will find three great chiringuitos, Sunem Playa, La Bahía and El Peñon.

El Peñon is built right into the front of the giant rock and has beautiful views of the bay and the Salobreña Castle in the distance. Here are our picks for the Eight BEST Salobreña Restaurants...

---

If you're a history buff, you might enjoy seeing the cave where the first human remains were discovered, dating back 6000 years ago. The cave lies just behind the small town of Lobres, to the west of Salobreña.

➜ For more information on the cave and the town of Lobres, read our guide.

---

Everyone loves a market! Markets have always been a big part of life in Andalucía and even though the larger grocery chains are gaining in favor, most locals still prefer to do their shopping in the specialty markets each morning... where the produce is fresh, and the faces are familiar.

While in Salobreña, take a stroll through one of its many markets, from the daily farmers market to the monthly craft and specialty markets. You will find a schedule of all the Salobreña Markets below.

---

---

Kayaking, scuba diving, and parapente are just a few of the sports that are popular along the Costa Tropical. Salobreña, like other nearby towns, has its fair share of companies that will cater to all your sporting needs.

Most of the Snorkeling / Kayaking tours take place in nearby La Herradura.

---

Just 5 minutes west of Salobrena are the beautiful Andalucian towns of Almuñécar and La Herradura, both of which have gorgeous beaches, traditional Andalucian restaurants and many other historic sites to see.

If you have time, take the N-340 coastal road and visit these two charming villages, then continue through the stunning Maro / Cerro Gordo National Park with your final stop in Nerja and Frigiliana.

Heading east you will reach Almeria, a port city and the capital of the province of Almeria. It's not as popular a destination as Malaga or Granada, but it's an interesting place to visit. Being on the sea and surrounded by a vast desert and natural parks, it has a unique combination of landscapes rarely found in other places.

---

Here are 5 of our favorite places to visit:

---

MORE ➜ Must-See Sites in Salobreña

The Mirador "Enrique Morente" can be found just below the Paseo de las Flores. From the top, climb down the steps at the far end of the terrace.

The Mirador is 98 meters above sea level and offers spectacular views of the surrounding area. A monument to one of the 20th centuries most important Spanish musicians "Enrique Morente" is the focal point.

---

Another fun little site to see in the old town is the "narrowest street" in Salobreña. At 60 cm wide, there is just enough room to squeeze your shoulders through this tight little alley.

This narrow street connects the "La Fuente" neighborhood with the rest of the old town.

---

The Casa Roja was once the exquisite home to the wealthy owner of the sugarcane factory in La Caleta. It was built in 1905 and the interior has been carefully maintained in the original style.

Today the building houses a foundation honoring a famous Spanish playwright and author that was born and lived in the town of Salobreña.

---

Just at the bottom of the Salobreña crag, you will find this quaint little park. It lies on both sides of the main road that connects the town with its beaches.

The park has at its center, and derives its name from, a beautiful fountain that resembles the lion head fountain found in the nearby Alhambra Castle in Granada. There is also a small children's park, refreshment stand, and a small pond with interesting wildlife.

---

The giant rock that juts out into the sea and divides the main Salobreña beaches is called El Peñon. At one time in history, this rock was completely surrounded by water and was known as the "Island of the Rock".

Over the years, it has been used for fishing, as a cemetery, and as a sanctuary to the goddess Tanit.

Today, one of the best chiringuitos is built on top of the Peñon. During the summer you will find many holiday goers jumping from its rocks, feeding the fish within its coves, and enjoying the spectacular views of the castle from the top.

---

---

Salobreña Tourist Office

Map & Planning

Be sure to plan a visit to the small, picturesque village of Salobreña on your next trip to Andalucia. It's the perfect place to stop between a visit to Malaga and Granada. The entire Costa Tropical area is not to miss!

---

How Do You Get There?

From Malaga: Take the A-7 going east just over an hour. After passing the town of Almunecar start looking for the Salobreña exit signs. Once off the highway, follow the signs to the old town.

From Granada: Take the A-44 going south for 55-minutes until you reach the town of Motril. From there, get on the A-7 going west towards Salobreña. Once off the highway, follow the signs to the old town.

You can also drive to Salobreña on the old N-340 coastal road from Almuñécar going east. This is the most scenic route. The views of the Salobreña castle as you get closer to town are stunning!

---

Getting to Salobreña by Train & Bus:

Granada and Malaga both have great train stations and are accessible from anywhere within Spain.

From each of the train stations (Malaga & Granada), you can get a local bus to Salobreña.

---

---

The History of Salobreña

The history of Salobreña, like most of the towns in the Costa Tropical, dates to Neolithic times when this area was populated with semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers. Remains of these people and their culture have been found in the nearby cave, La Cueva del Capitan, in Lobres. If you are interested, you can still visit this cave today.

The oldest human remains that have been found in the area, date back 6000 years.

Since that time, the area has been inhabited and influenced by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, and Moors. They have all left their special mark on the town of Salobreña and as a result, it is a fascinating place to visit.

---

A Major Geographical Transformation

Geographically, Salobreña has transformed over the years as well...

• From Neolithic times and well into the Roman era, the area around Salobreña was a bay.

• The Peñon, the rock that today divides the main Salobreña beaches, was at that time an island. A giant rock jutting out from the sea.

• The rocky promontory, where the castle and town currently reside, was also surrounded by water. There was only a tiny sliver of land connecting it to the mainland. It was essentially a peninsula, looking out towards the Peñon or “Island of the Rock”, as they called it.

• Over thousands of years, the Guadalfeo River, which runs south from Granada, deposited sand and silt into the Salobreña basin. This buildup gradually created a large area of flat land, that was perfectly suited for agriculture.

• This process continued well into Roman times and beyond, where only in more modern times was the process complete. Today Salobreña sits atop a fertile plain of sugar cane plantations and groves of sub-tropical fruit trees.

---

The Phoenicians

The Phoenicians created small settlements in Salobreña, dating back to the 8th century BC. Remains of their existence have been found in the ancient necropolis, which was located on what is now the great Salobreña rock. At that time, Salobreña was known as Selambina.

---

The Romans

Salobreña joined the Roman Empire in 206 BC. During the Roman period, El Peñon (which was an island at the time) was used for fishing, as a cemetery and as a sanctuary. A temple was built on the rock to honor the goddess Tanit (a Punic and Phoenician goddess that was later worshipped by the Romans).

---

The Moors

The first written records of Muslim presence in Salobreña date to the 10th century. It was the Moors who are believed to have built the Salobreña Castle. They also introduced the cultivation of sugarcane, which became an especially important part of the local economy and made Salobreña essential to the Kingdom of Granada. In 1489, Salobreña (and the rest of coastal Granada) came under the rule of the Christians, after the Moors were defeated in a battle in Almeria.

---

The Christians

The Christian population in Salobreña lived in the old quarter where the current town hall is located and around the area of the church of Our Lady of the Rosary. The cultivation of sugarcane in the sixteenth century continued to be an important part of the local economy.

---

Modern Day

In the second half of the nineteenth century, the final remains of the old town’s walls were destroyed. The town was experiencing a boom in sugar cane production and as a result needed to expand.

It wasn’t until the 70’s and 80’s that the town expanded into the plain below, where today you will see many modern buildings, parks, hotels and restaurants by the sea.

---

---