MOTRIL
Located in southern Spain, on the Costa Tropical, Motril is near Granada, in Andalusia. It has a population of around 60,000 people and in the summer is a lively place to spend a holiday. Motril is the largest town on the Costa Tropical with an economy based around agriculture, fishing and the port. It lies in the foothills of the Sierra Lujar Mountains, so it's an ideal location to explore the coast as well as the mountains.
A brief history of Motril
The city began life as a Phoenician enclave, and then the town of just 2000 was invaded by the Christians followed by Moorish uprising in 1569 that finished in 1570 with the Christians taking the victory. At that time, the inhabitants’ main activities were agriculture, fishing and the production of silk and sugar. In the latter half of the 1600s, they built the Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza church, around the time that sugar cane was the most economically important crop, later processed in the sugar refineries. In 1657 Philip IV granted Motril city status, separating it from Granada. French troops occupied Motril during the Spanish War of Independence, and afterwards, the city began a new expansion of sugarcane and the sugar industry allowing it to prosper during the 19th century, around the same time they constructed Las Explanadas, the main palm-lined street in the town.
Things to do in Motril
Down at the marina, there are lots of water sports facilities and boat excursions; you can even take a day trip to Morocco! There is an excellent golf course, situated by the sea with an attached clubhouse and restaurant, just a 20-minute drive outside of the town called Los Moriscos Club de Golf. The Ron Montero S.L. is a friendly, family-run distillery to visit; with an excellent selection of locally made light and dark rums that are available for tasting alongside some delicious Iberian ham. For nature lovers, check out Charca de Suárez, a wetland nature reserve with lush vegetation and a wide variety of bird species. The Pre-industrial Sugarcane Museum provides an exciting insight into the history of the sugar cane industry that has been so important to the town throughout history. The Santuario Nuestra Sra de la Cabeza, or Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Head, is a magnificent church to visit at the top of a hill with great views, it was built in 1631 and restored in the 20th century.
Beaches around Motril
Most of the beaches are a short car trip away, as the town itself is slightly inland. Playa de Torrenueva is a 15-minute drive to the coast, and Playa Granada, with dark sand and shingle, is 10 minutes. Playa de La Joya is a beautiful beach, tucked-away down a staircase from the cliffs with areas for nude bathing. Playa de Calahonda is a large sandy beach with enough room to play beach tennis and volleyball without disturbing other people. Playa de La Rijana is a beautiful beach with crystalline water and white rocks; it is perfect for snorkelling.