Costa Tropical of Granada
With more than 30 stunning beaches and coves
Kayaking Adventure Tours
Book From La Herradura or Nerja
The Cliffs of Maro
Explore the Nature Reserve by boat or Inland Trails
Experience the best of the Costa Tropical, Granada & Malaga!
Welcome to the breathtakingly beautiful Costa Tropical, or sometimes called the Costa Granada or Costa Granadina... If you've never visited this part of southern Spain... now is the time!
Discover first-hand the Costa Tropical's pristine beaches, rugged cliffs, soaring mountains and quaint villages all while experiencing Spain's rich Andalucian culture. You can also visit castles, Roman aqueducts, and other historic sites...as well as taking advantage of the many outdoor adventures that are available here such as kayaking and canyoning!
Unlike the better-known Costa del Sol where the 21st century has already arrived, the Costa Tropical is still very quaint and Spanish. Its people are warm, friendly and family-loving.... Once you've visited this part of Spain, you will probably be back again....and again.... and maybe even stay for good... like so many others before you.
Why Choose the Costa Tropical?
In the past, the Costa Tropical was commonly overlooked in favor of its neighboring coast, the Costa del Sol. But today, with easier access (due to the new highway), cheaper prices, prettier beaches 🏖️, and more natural surroundings 🌴, more and more people are flocking to the area...
The Costa Tropical is made up of three mid-sized towns and many smaller white villages... but it's mostly associated with the town that sits at its center, Almuñécar, its sidekick La Herradura and their pretty neighbor Salobreña. The well-known white villages of Nerja and Frigiliana sit right on the border, just a 10-minute drive away.
Motril is also a popular destination now and the largest of the Costa Tropical towns with a population of over 60,000.
Read our article on the top Costa Tropical Towns and why to visit...
The Costa Tropical Beaches
The Top 8 Sites to Visit in the Costa Tropical
Where is the Costa Tropical?
This magnificent stretch of Mediterranean coastline encompasses the entire coastal area of the Province of Granada and can be found in the region of Andalucia between two of Spain's most visited cities, Malaga and Granada. (maps)
- The Costa Tropical sits between the famous Costa del Sol ☀️ and the lesser known, but stunningly beautiful, Costa Almeria.
- From west to east the Costa Tropical begins at La Herradura and ends with the small village of Albuñol.
- Stretching northward, the Costa Granada reaches the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains 🏔️ near the Alpujarras and meets the towns of Dúrcal and Padul to the east... at the edge of the Lecrin Valley.
- The driving time 🚗 between Nerja and Frigiliana, the last two beautiful villages on the Costa del Sol, and Motril is about 30-minutes.
You will also find a huge assortment of holiday villas and apartment rentals that range in price from top-end luxury homes with private pools and gardens to small beachfront condos with sea views.
Plan your trip to the Costa Tropical...
Don't miss the mountains and villages of the Sierra Nevada, the lush region of Axarquia, the Lecrin Valley, the rural villages of the Granada Province, and the famous white villages of Nerja and Frigiliana... all are just a short drive from the coast.
What Makes the Costa Tropical so Special?
In recent years, the Costa Granada has been renamed the 'Costa Tropical'. Why? Because of its special micro-climate that only exists in this part of Spain. It's known for being the ONLY sub-tropical area on the Iberian Peninsula... AND it's overflowing with delicious tropical fruits and veggies. What's a sub-tropical micro climate?
What do we love most about the Costa Tropical?
- ☀️ Its sub-tropical micro-climate with 320 days of sun each year!
- The tropical vegetation including fruits, vegetables, palms, and flowers 🌺
- Beautiful landscapes with the soaring Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop
- The turquoise waters 💦 of the Mediterranean Sea
- And its rich, multi-cultural history from the Phoenicians, Romans, and Moors
All these things make the Costa Tropical one of the most interesting areas to visit in Spain... and in Andalucía in particular.
The 10 Best Beaches in the Costa Tropical. Explore Them All Here...
The Costa Tropical is known for its stunning beauty and its beaches are the reason why... plus the high soaring cliffs that meet the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
15 Experiences You Must Have in the Costa Tropical - Get Ready!
With delicious foods, a rich culture, historic monuments, and an area famous for its outdoor lifestyle, here is a list of 15 things not to miss on your next visit to the Costa Tropical.
10 Things You Can Do for FREE While in the Costa Tropical
We know some people are on a budget, but that doesn't have to stop you from having a good time. Some of the best things to do in the Costa Tropical are FREE.
The BEST Hotels in the Costa Tropical that the Kids Will Love!
The Costa Tropical is jam-packed with great hotels, hostels, and villas...Some are very family-focused with swimming pools, waterslides, and bowling alleys.
Top Coastal Villages to Explore, That You Will Never Forget!
Just east of the Costa del Sol, the Costa Tropical towns are known for their beautiful beaches, historic old towns, soaring mountains, and national parks.
10 Fun Things You Can Do with Your Kids in the Costa Tropical
From skiing to scuba diving, waterparks and bouncing to their heart's content... There is no end of fun things for your kids to do in the Costa Tropical.
The climate varies greatly, but we enjoy a more tolerable range here along the coast compared to more severe summers and winters elsewhere. This area is usually 10º - 20º cooler during the summer months and 10º - 20º warmer during the winter than even some of our closest neighbors (Costa del Sol, Granada City, or Almeria).
Together with approximately 320 days of sunshine yearly and an average temperature of 20ºC, this strip of coastline is indeed special. ☀️ ☀️ 😎
Both Granada and Malaga have large train stations that are accessible from anywhere in Spain 🚆... which makes it very easy to get to the Costa Tropical!
From each of the train stations (Malaga or Granada), you can get a direct bus to the Costa Tropical towns.
Buses ➜
🚍 The Spanish bus system is also great. Unlike some countries, buses are often used here and they tend to be large, comfortable, and dependable. You will find buses that go directly from the larger cities to the Costa Tropical towns and local buses that run from small town to town.You can purchase most bus tickets online and compare prices, but you must pay for the local buses when you get on.
Taxis ➜
🚖 Each town has a taxi stand where taxis are always present. You can either go there or call and they will come to you. There are also several private taxi services with larger vehicles that will take you to and from the bigger cities and airports. More about Taxis in Almuñécar.Rental Cars ➜
🚘 One of the preferred ways of getting around is, of course, renting your own car 🚗. Car rentals in Spain tend to be very reasonably priced. You can either pick up a car in Granada or Malaga (at the airport) or in town. More about car rentals in Almuñécar.
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