Almuñécar Holidays: Beaches, Phoenician Sexi and Castle
Provincia de Granada · Andalusia · Spain · 27,696 residents · on the coast
Castillo de San Miguel
El Majuelo
Playa de Velilla.jpg/500px-Portugal_e_Espanha_DSC05381_(25467073884).jpg)
Playa de San Cristóbal, Almuñécar
Playa de Puerta del Mar, AlmuñécarAlmuñécar sits on the Costa Tropical in the Provincia de Granada. It is a town of nearly 28,000 people where history and beach sit side by side. The Castillo de San Miguel and the archaeological site of El Majuelo lie in the centre, a short walk from the remains of Sexi, the Phoenician colony that stood here. The beaches of Puerta del Mar and San Cristóbal are minutes away on foot. Summers are hot, with July and August reaching 33°C. Winters stay mild at around 18°C by day. Three airports with direct flights from the UK are within reach, the nearest about 45 minutes' drive away.
Why go
- Castillo de San Miguel and El Majuelo sit together in the town centre, about 0.1 miles apart.
- Walk to the remains of Sexi, the Phoenician colony, from town-centre beaches like Puerta del Mar.
- Granada airport, with direct UK flights, is roughly 45 minutes' drive away.
Top sights in Almuñécar
Castle, Phoenician Ruins and Town Beaches
The best-known sight is the Castillo de San Miguel, about 0.1 miles from the centre. El Majuelo is an archaeological site at the same distance. Just under half a mile away are the remains of Sexi, the Phoenician colony on the site of present-day Almuñécar. Also close by are the Cueva de Sietepalacios, a cave site listed as a museum about 0.1 miles out, and the Palacete de la Najarra, a small palace roughly a quarter of a mile away.
The beaches start almost on the doorstep. Caletilla is about a quarter of a mile away and Playa de Puerta del Mar about 0.3 miles. Playa de San Cristóbal is roughly 0.4 miles. Further along the coast you reach Playa de Velilla at around 1.4 miles, Playa de Tesorillo at 1.7 miles and playa del Pozuelo at 1.9 miles. Calabajío is about 2.2 miles out, Playa de Cabria 2.4 miles and Barranco de Enmedio 2.7 miles.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly from this page.
1archaeological site- 2archaeological site
- 3beach
Playa de Velilla
1 mile from the centre · Photo
- 5beach
Playa de San Cristóbal, Almuñécar
In the centre · Photo
- 6beach
Playa de Puerta del Mar, Almuñécar
In the centre · Photo
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7beachPlaya de Tesorillo, Almuñécar
2 miles from the centre · Photo
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9beachBarranco de Enmedio
3 miles from the centre · Photo
10beachPlaya de Cabria, Almuñécar
2 miles from the centre · Photo
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11palacePalacete de la Najarra
In the centre · Photo
Sexi
archaeological site · In the centre
Caletilla
beach · In the centre
Tours & tickets in Almuñécar
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Almuñécar can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Almuñécar
Old Town or Along the Beaches
For sightseeing, a base in the centre puts the Castillo de San Miguel, El Majuelo, the Cueva de Sietepalacios and the Palacete de la Najarra all within half a mile. The town beaches of Puerta del Mar, San Cristóbal and Caletilla are just as close, so you can mix culture and sand without a car.
If the beach comes first, look along the coast towards Playa de Velilla and Playa de Tesorillo, between about 1.4 and 1.7 miles from the centre. The smaller beaches beyond, such as Cabria and Barranco de Enmedio, lie further out. Live hotel prices for Almuñécar are shown on this page.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Almuñécar and the villages around it is a hire car from Málaga (AGP), about 1 h 4 min away.
Best time to visit Almuñécar
When to Visit Almuñécar
- 18°CJan24 mm
- 18°CFeb34 mm
- 21°CMar132 mm
- 23°CApr15 mm
- 25°CMay30 mm
- 28°CJun41 mm
- 33°CJul2 mm
- 33°CAug5 mm
- 28°CSept39 mm
- 25°COct74 mm
- 22°CNov19 mm
- 18°CDec16 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most comfortable months are April, May, June, September and November. April sees daytime highs of about 23°C and only three rain days. May reaches around 25°C, and June and September sit near 28°C. November is still a pleasant 22°C with just two rain days on average.
July and August are the hottest months, with highs of 33°C, nights around 24°C and almost no rain. March is the wettest month by volume, at around 132mm over eight days. October has the most rain days, about ten. Winter, from December to February, stays mild at roughly 18°C by day and 10°C at night.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18°C | 10°C | 24 mm | 9 h |
| Feb | 18°C | 10°C | 34 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 21°C | 13°C | 132 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 23°C | 15°C | 15 mm | 12 h |
| May | 25°C | 16°C | 30 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 28°C | 21°C | 41 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 33°C | 24°C | 2 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 33°C | 24°C | 5 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 28°C | 20°C | 39 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 25°C | 17°C | 74 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 22°C | 14°C | 19 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 18°C | 10°C | 16 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights and Driving from the UK
Three nearby airports have direct flights from the UK. Granada (GRX) is the closest, about 32 miles away, or roughly 45 minutes by car. Málaga (AGP), the largest of the three, is around 45 miles away, a drive of just over an hour. Almería (LEI) is about 73 miles away, roughly an hour and three quarters by road.
Driving from Calais takes about 24 hours behind the wheel, so plan for overnight stops. The nearby ferry ports at Motril (about 9 miles), Málaga (about 40 miles) and Almería (about 68 miles) serve Morocco rather than the UK. They are useful for an onward trip but not for the journey from home.
By air
- Málaga (AGP)45 miles, about 1 h 4 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Granada (GRX)32 miles, about 45 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Almería (LEI)73 miles, about 1 h 44 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 23 h 42 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Motril (9 miles), Málaga (40 miles), Almería (68 miles).
Almuñécar is good for
Around Almuñécar
Day Trips Along the Coast
La Herradura is the closest neighbour, about 2.5 miles away. Otívar and Salobreña are both roughly 5.5 miles away. Salobreña is the larger of the two, with around 12,700 residents.
At about 10 miles you can choose between Motril, the biggest town nearby with over 60,000 people, and Nerja. Frigiliana and Vélez de Benaudalla are around 12 miles away, and Torrox is about 14 miles.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Points Before You Go
Watch the rain pattern if you are booking in spring or autumn. March brings the heaviest rainfall of the year, and October has around ten rain days. The listed best months avoid both.
In July and August, highs of 33°C and warm nights of 24°C make the town-centre sights best for mornings or evenings. Keep the middle of the day for the beach.
You can walk to the old sights and the main town beaches. Car hire helps for the beaches two or more miles out, for nearby towns such as Nerja and Salobreña, and for the airport runs.
Questions people ask
Which airport is closest to Almuñécar?
Granada (GRX) is the nearest, about 32 miles away, or around 45 minutes by car, and it has direct flights from the UK. Málaga (AGP) is about 45 miles away, roughly an hour's drive. Almería (LEI) is about 73 miles away, around an hour and three quarters.
Can I fly direct from the UK to an airport near Almuñécar?
Yes. Málaga, Granada and Almería airports all have direct flights from the UK. Granada is the closest by road, at about 45 minutes. Málaga, the largest of the three, is just over an hour's drive away.
What is the weather like in Almuñécar in winter?
Winters are mild. From December to February, daytime highs are around 18°C and nights about 10°C. Each month brings roughly four or five rain days. March is the wettest month of the year, with around 132mm of rain.
When is the best time to visit Almuñécar?
April, May, June, September and November offer the most pleasant conditions. Highs run from about 22°C to 28°C, with few rain days. July and August are the hottest months at around 33°C.
Are there beaches within walking distance of Almuñécar town centre?
Yes. Caletilla is about a quarter of a mile from the centre. Playa de Puerta del Mar is around 0.3 miles and Playa de San Cristóbal about 0.4 miles. Playa de Velilla and Playa de Tesorillo lie further along the coast, roughly 1.4 and 1.7 miles out.
How long does it take to drive to Almuñécar from Calais?
Allow about 24 hours of driving from Calais. Most travellers spread the journey over two or three days with overnight stops. Flying into Granada or Málaga is far quicker.