Motril Holidays: Sugar Museum, Castle and Coast Guide
Provincia de Granada · Andalusia · Spain · 60,592 residents · on the coast
Motril is the largest town on the coast of the Provincia de Granada, home to around 60,600 people and sitting just 34 metres above the Mediterranean. It is a working town rather than a purpose-built resort, and its sights reflect that: a museum devoted to preindustrial cane sugar, the Castillo de Motril and a bullring, all within about a mile of the centre. Summers are hot and almost dry, with July and August reaching 31°C, while winter afternoons still touch 17°C. Three airports with direct flights from the United Kingdom lie within roughly an hour and a half, and a ferry port on the edge of town links to Morocco.
Why go
- The Museum of preindustrial cane sugar tells a local story you will not find elsewhere on the coast.
- Granada airport, with direct flights from the UK, is only about 48 minutes' drive away.
- Dry, warm months from April to September, with July and August peaking at 31°C.
Top sights in Motril
Sugar, a Castle and a Bullring
The most distinctive visit in Motril is the Museum of preindustrial cane sugar, about 0.6 miles from the centre. It suits curious adults and families alike, and it explains the crop that shaped this stretch of coast.
At a similar distance stands the Castillo de Motril, listed as cultural property, and a little further out, around 1.2 miles away, is the Motril Bullring. All three are close enough to combine in a single unhurried day on foot.
Tours, activities and tickets in and around Motril can be booked directly on this page, where you will find the current options laid out as booking cards.
Tours & tickets in Motril
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Motril can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Motril
Choosing a Base in Motril
Motril is a sizeable coastal town, so you can choose between staying near the centre, where the sugar museum and castle are within walking distance, or closer to the sea and the port, which lies about 2 miles away. With around 60,000 residents, the town keeps a lived-in, everyday rhythm rather than the feel of a holiday enclave.
If you want somewhere smaller and quieter, nearby Salobreña is only 4 miles away. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare areas and dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Motril and the villages around it is a hire car from Málaga (AGP), about 1 h 18 min away.
Best time to visit Motril
When to Visit Motril
- 17°CJan27 mm
- 17°CFeb22 mm
- 20°CMar89 mm
- 21°CApr4 mm
- 23°CMay24 mm
- 27°CJun20 mm
- 31°CJul1 mm
- 31°CAug4 mm
- 27°CSept34 mm
- 24°COct74 mm
- 21°CNov12 mm
- 18°CDec11 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months run from April to September. April is notably dry, with just 4 mm of rain and highs of 21°C, and May and June warm steadily from 23°C to 27°C.
July and August are the hottest, with afternoon highs of 31°C and nights around 23°C, and barely any rain at all. September stays warm at 27°C.
The wettest spells are March, with about 89 mm, and October, with 74 mm over eight rainy days. Winter is mild, with highs of 17°C to 18°C from December to February, which makes it a reasonable choice for a gentle off-season break.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17°C | 9°C | 27 mm | 9 h |
| Feb | 17°C | 10°C | 22 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 20°C | 12°C | 89 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 21°C | 14°C | 4 mm | 12 h |
| May | 23°C | 16°C | 24 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 27°C | 19°C | 20 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 31°C | 23°C | 1 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 31°C | 23°C | 4 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 27°C | 20°C | 34 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 24°C | 17°C | 74 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 21°C | 13°C | 12 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 18°C | 10°C | 11 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and the Drive
Granada airport (GRX) is the closest, about 34 miles away and roughly 48 minutes by car. Málaga (AGP), the largest of the three, is about 55 miles away, around 1 hour 18 minutes' drive. Almería (LEI) is about 64 miles away, roughly 1 hour 31 minutes. All three have direct flights from the United Kingdom, and car hire at any of them makes the onward drive straightforward.
Motril has its own ferry port about 2 miles from town, with sailings to Melilla, Nador, Tangier Med and Al Hoceima in Morocco. Málaga's port (about 50 miles) and Almería's (about 59 miles) also serve Morocco and, from Almería, Oran.
Driving all the way from Calais takes around 23 and a half hours behind the wheel, so most travellers will break it over several days.
By air
- Málaga (AGP)55 miles, about 1 h 18 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Granada (GRX)34 miles, about 48 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Almería (LEI)64 miles, about 1 h 31 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 23 h 38 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Motril (2 miles), Málaga (50 miles), Almería (59 miles).
Motril is good for
Around Motril
Easy Outings from Motril
Salobreña, about 4 miles away, is the obvious first outing. Almuñécar, some 10 miles along the coast and the biggest town nearby with nearly 28,000 people, makes a good contrast, and La Herradura is about 12 miles away.
Inland, Vélez de Benaudalla (6 miles) and Gualchos (7 miles) are small villages close at hand, while Otívar lies around 10 miles away. Órgiva and Lanjarón, both about 12 miles off, round out a varied selection within a short drive.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Motril is a working town of around 60,000 people, so expect everyday services to keep going outside the summer season, unlike smaller resorts that wind down.
In July and August, highs reach 31°C with nights still around 23°C, so plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings. If you are coming in March or October, pack a light waterproof, as those are the wettest months.
A hire car is worth having: the airports are 48 to 91 minutes away and most of the nearby villages are easiest to reach by road.
Questions people ask
Which airport is closest to Motril?
Granada airport (GRX) is the closest, about 34 miles away and roughly 48 minutes by car. Málaga (AGP) is about 55 miles away, around 1 hour 18 minutes, and Almería (LEI) about 64 miles, roughly 1 hour 31 minutes. All three have direct flights from the UK.
What is the weather like in Motril in summer?
Hot and very dry. July and August both reach highs of 31°C, with overnight lows around 23°C, and July sees about 1 mm of rain on average. June and September are slightly gentler at 27°C, which many travellers find more comfortable.
Is Motril worth visiting in winter?
It is mild rather than hot. Highs sit at 17°C to 18°C from December to February, with four or five rainy days a month. March is the wettest month, so January, February or December can make a calm off-season break.
What is there to see in Motril?
The main sights are the Museum of preindustrial cane sugar and the Castillo de Motril, both about 0.6 miles from the centre, plus the Motril Bullring around 1.2 miles away. Tours and tickets for the area can be booked on this page.
Can I take a ferry from Motril?
Yes. Motril's port, about 2 miles from town, has sailings to Melilla, Nador, Tangier Med and Al Hoceima in Morocco. There are no listed ferry routes to the UK, so most British travellers fly into Granada, Málaga or Almería instead.
How long does it take to drive from Calais to Motril?
The drive from Calais takes around 23 and a half hours of driving time. Most people split it over several days, or fly to one of the three nearby airports with direct UK flights and pick up car hire there.