Your first port of call should be the Tourist Information Office located in Plaza de Goya opposite the taxi rank downtown.  It’s full of free information on activities and events in the area.  We should also have plenty of leaflets in the house. 

Swimming

Down to the right of El Peñon is a pebble beach but on the left are miles of sand – more like an English beach than San Tropez but they are swept and cleaned.  Sunbeds and fixed umbrellas are for hire but in high season it’s probably best to take your own which can be bought very cheaply at local stores.  Scuba diving and most water sports are on offer all along the coast as well as paragliding.

In 2007 Salobreña opened a new sports facility which has an Olympic sized indoor pool and a large up to date gymnasium.  Fees are about 3 euros a go but if you sign up for a longer session/classes then it’s even cheaper, would you believe?

Skiing

Salobreña often boasts about skiing in the morning and sitting on the beach in the afternoon. You can usually ski from Sept to April up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains which you can see from our house.  I would recommend that you take an overnight break up there though as the journey there is spectacular and not to be rushed.

Golf

Yachting, Walking, Bird watching, Nature trails, Cycling and Horse Riding

are also available but if you would rather a Mind, Body and Spirit holiday then this is the place for you too. Orgiva is the healing place to go amongst others and any therapies from acupuncture to yoga classes and courses are well advertised in Andalucia.

Nearby Places

Motril is a 10 min drive away with large hypermarket situated on the way in.  It has beaches, a real business centre, a hospital and golf of course! There are plenty of shops and restaurants and a marina.

Almuñecar is 15 mins away and hosts a great market every Friday just at the entrance to the town. The old town is a maze of cobblestone streets which are wonderful to walk around as are the long stretches of beach.  It also has its own castle, a bird wildlife park (Loro Sexi) and the Arqueological Museum.  In summer months it hosts an amazing International Jazz Festival which is not to be missed.

The picturesque harbour, Marina del Este, is west of Almunecar and the fishing village of La Herradura and Punta de la Mona are among many places to visit off the beaten track for a relaxing drink and good food.

If you venture further then you must go to the caves in Nerja.  Cueva de Nerja have been highly recommended by our friends and a delight to experience whether you’re seven or seventy.

Closer to home – you can walk along the beach to La Caleta, a small village with one of the last remaining sugar refining/rum factories which used the local sugar cane from fields which surround the promontory of Salobreña..  Not for much longer, however, as there are plans to build a much needed yachting harbour here which aims to give more light and life to this pretty cove.

No trip to Andalucia would be complete without a trip to the mountain regions of the Sierra Nevada.  A drive up into the Alpujarras to Pampaneira is spectacular.  There you will see the linked up white houses with flat roofs and tall chimneys with plenty of crafts on display.  If you can avoid the times of the tourist coaches, you can have a leisurely lunch and explore further on up to Bubion and Capileira or even the Tibetan Monastery.  They welcome visitors in the afternoon.  However, a robust car is a necessity as the route up is a bit hair-raising and steep!  Trevelez, the highest village in Europe, is well worth a visit.  At over 4,840 feet above sea level it overhangs a mountain valley and a swift-flowing river.

The Alhambra Palace and Gardens in Granada is only 45 minutes away from Salobreña.  You will need to book either by telephone or on line through their site or at a BBV (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya) Bank or Telephone Banking La Caixa.  You must book well in advance.  This has the advantage of being able to use a credit card as tickets on the door must be in cash only unless you use their ticket machines. If booking sounds daunting then the visit will certainly be overwhelming.  It is fabulous. It is extremely popular and getting there early is a must even if you've pre booked.   Whether in sun or snow – wear sensible shoes and take some water as the refreshment kiosks inside are limited.  Allow plenty of time to stroll around – it's huge. Visit the Alhambra's website for more details

Flamenco

Flamenco originated in Andalusia.  So you're in the right place.

Having studied flamenco dance for nearly 3 years and thoroughly enjoyed it, I never completely grasped all the complexities and variations of this art. However, an evening spent watching dramatic dancing, passionate singing, clapping and music really enhances the experience of this region.

Flamenco grew out of a mix of Gypsy, Islamic, Sephardic and native Andalusian cultures and now shows are staged in the caves of Sacramonte, Granada.  Many people warn against visiting any 'tablaos'/ touristy shows on the grounds that they’re not genuine but provided you go along aware that you're attending show for tourists, you should have a  really good night out.  Look out for dance companies coming to visit the area and ask the Tourist Office where you can see the best flamenco the area has to offer during your stay.