Granada's coastline is known as the Costa Tropical because of its high year-round temperatures. Augmented by excellent crop irrigation from the snowmelt of the Sierra Nevada this tropical climate creates the perfect growing conditions for sugar cane, avocados and fruit that are usually found in climes that are more southern.
There are several towns along this stretch that are worth visiting. Almuñecar is popular with Spanish visitors and has an attractive historic quarter and some beautiful beaches in coves between rocky outcrops, a common feature of this coastline. Almuñecar is great for shopping and dining and wining.
The jewel of the Costa Tropical is Salobreña, a whitewashed township clinging to huge lump of rock set back from the shoreline, topped by a Moorish castle and surrounded by lush sugar cane plantations. Along the beach, you will find a variety of restaurants, bars and shops.
La Herradura is named after the horseshoe (herradura) shape of its bay. The centre has a friendly Spanish character and its pebble beach has a wooden pier and many stylish chiringuito beach bars.
