Salobreña Holidays: Alcazaba, Beaches and Getting There
Provincia de Granada · Andalusia · Spain · 12,747 residents · on the coast
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Salobreña is a coastal town of around 12,700 people in the Provincia de Granada, Andalusia, sitting just 45 metres above sea level. Its centrepiece is the Alcazaba, a castle barely a tenth of a mile from the town centre, with the Mirador Enrique Morente viewpoint close by. Below, a string of beaches runs along the shore, from Playa de la Guardia at half a mile out to Playa del Cambrón at about 2 miles. Three airports with direct flights from the United Kingdom lie within about an hour and a half by road, and the climate stays mild enough in winter that November is among the most pleasant months of the year.
Why go
- The Alcazaba castle sits a tenth of a mile from the centre, with a viewpoint beside it.
- Six named beaches lie within about 2 miles, from Playa de la Guardia to Playa del Cambrón.
- Granada airport, with direct UK flights, is roughly a 46-minute drive away.
Top sights in Salobreña
Castle, Viewpoint and Beaches
The Alcazaba is the sight that defines Salobreña: a castle about a tenth of a mile from the centre, and the town's most notable landmark. A short walk away, roughly 0.2 miles, the Mirador Enrique Morente is a viewpoint looking out over the town and coast.
The beaches are the other half of the story, all suited to families. Playa de la Guardia is the closest at about half a mile, followed by Playa de la Charca/Salomar at just under a mile and Playa del Caletón at around a mile. Further along, Playa de Punta del Río sits at about 1.7 miles and Playa del Cambrón at roughly 2 miles.
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly from this page, using the booking cards shown alongside.
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1castle
2beachPlaya de la Guardia
In the centre · Photo
5beachPlaya de la Charca/Salomar
1 mile from the centre · Photo
Q24024483
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Playa de Punta del Río
beach · 2 miles from the centre
Playa del Caletón
beach · 1 mile from the centre
Playa del Cambrón
beach · 2 miles from the centre
Mirador Enrique Morente
viewpoint · In the centre
Tours & tickets in Salobreña
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Salobreña can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Salobreña
Choosing Between Castle and Coast
Salobreña is compact, so the main choice is between staying near the Alcazaba in the town centre or down by the beaches that run up to about 2 miles along the shore. The centre puts the castle and the Mirador Enrique Morente on your doorstep, while a base near Playa de la Guardia or Playa del Caletón suits families who want the sand within walking distance.
With a population of around 12,700, this is a quieter base than its larger neighbour Motril, 4 miles away. The page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Salobreña and the villages around it is a hire car from Málaga (AGP), about 1 h 12 min away.
Best time to visit Salobreña
When the Weather Works Best
- 18°CJan17 mm
- 19°CFeb29 mm
- 21°CMar101 mm
- 23°CApr10 mm
- 25°CMay23 mm
- 29°CJun29 mm
- 34°CJul1 mm
- 33°CAug4 mm
- 28°CSept39 mm
- 26°COct76 mm
- 22°CNov13 mm
- 19°CDec11 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are April, May, June, September and November. April is especially settled, with highs around 23°C and just one rainy day on average, and November is similarly dry with one rainy day and highs near 22°C.
July and August are the hottest months, with highs of 33 to 34°C and nights that stay around 23°C, and almost no rain. The wettest spells are March, with around 101 mm over eight days, and October, with about 76 mm over nine days. Winter is mild, with January and December highs of 18 to 19°C and lows of 8 to 9°C.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18°C | 9°C | 17 mm | 9 h |
| Feb | 19°C | 9°C | 29 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 21°C | 12°C | 101 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 23°C | 13°C | 10 mm | 12 h |
| May | 25°C | 15°C | 23 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 29°C | 19°C | 29 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 34°C | 23°C | 1 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 33°C | 23°C | 4 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 28°C | 19°C | 39 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 26°C | 16°C | 76 mm | 9 h |
| Nov | 22°C | 13°C | 13 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 19°C | 8°C | 11 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Drives and Ferries
Three nearby airports all have direct flights from the United Kingdom. Granada (GRX) is the closest at about 32 miles, roughly a 46-minute drive. Málaga (AGP), the largest, is about 51 miles away, around 72 minutes by car. Almería (LEI) is about 68 miles away, roughly 96 minutes' drive.
The port of Motril, about 4 miles away, has ferry routes to Morocco, including Melilla, Nador, Tangier Med and Al Hoceima, as do Málaga and Almería; none serve the United Kingdom.
Driving the whole way is possible: the route from Calais takes around 1,420 minutes at the wheel, the best part of a day, so most travellers split it over several stops.
By air
- Málaga (AGP)51 miles, about 1 h 12 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Granada (GRX)32 miles, about 46 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Almería (LEI)68 miles, about 1 h 36 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 23 h 40 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Motril (4 miles), Málaga (46 miles), Almería (63 miles).
Salobreña is good for
Around Salobreña
Towns Within an Easy Drive
Motril, a town of about 60,600 people, is just 4 miles away, and Almuñécar lies about 6 miles along the coast, with La Herradura around 8 miles off. Inland, Otívar and Vélez de Benaudalla are both about 7 miles away, and Gualchos roughly 11 miles.
For a longer outing, Lanjarón and Órgiva sit about 14 miles away, giving a change of scene from the beaches.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Points Before You Go
Midsummer highs reach 34°C in July, so plan the climb to the Alcazaba for early morning or evening rather than midday.
If you are travelling in March or October, pack a light waterproof: these are the wettest months, with eight or nine rainy days on average.
Salobreña is a small town of around 12,700 people, so for a wider choice of shops and services, Motril is only 4 miles away.
Questions people ask
Which airport is closest to Salobreña?
Granada (GRX) is the closest, about 32 miles away and roughly a 46-minute drive, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. Málaga (AGP) is about 51 miles away, around 72 minutes by car, and also has direct UK flights.
What is the best time of year to visit Salobreña?
April, May, June, September and November offer the most pleasant conditions. April and November are particularly dry, with one rainy day each on average and highs of 22 to 23°C. July and August are the hottest, reaching 33 to 34°C.
Are there beaches near the centre of Salobreña?
Yes. Playa de la Guardia is about half a mile from the centre, with Playa de la Charca/Salomar and Playa del Caletón around a mile away. Playa de Punta del Río and Playa del Cambrón lie at roughly 1.7 and 2 miles.
What is there to see in Salobreña itself?
The main sight is the Alcazaba, a castle about a tenth of a mile from the town centre. Nearby, the Mirador Enrique Morente viewpoint is roughly 0.2 miles away. Tours and tickets can be booked through the cards on this page.
Can I drive to Salobreña from the UK?
Yes. The drive from Calais takes around 1,420 minutes, the best part of a day behind the wheel, so it is usually broken into several stages. Flying into Granada, Málaga or Almería and hiring a car is far quicker.
Does it rain much in Salobreña?
Most of the year is dry. March is the wettest month, with around 101 mm over eight days, followed by October with about 76 mm over nine days. July and August see almost no rain at all.