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Townhouse for rent in Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Granada Province  Pool with views to sea |  the sitting room with sea views |  one of the bays on the Costa Tropical |  Terrace with sea and pool views | Location.
La Rijana sits on top of a headland, just below an ancient Moorish tower, in a quiet, residential, exclusive area of Almuñecar, known as Los Pinos, (The Pines). It looks out over the sea from the bay of Motril, to the rocks of San Cristóbal in Almunecar. From the windows and balconies, you can watch sunrise and sunset, follow the fishing boats and at certain times of year, spot dolphins just off the coast.
It is an all year round location, ideally located for Granada (1hr), with the fabulous Alhambra and Sierra Nevada skiing.
Roughly 45 minutes from Granada and ihr Malaga airports, Almuñecar is the principal town on a part of the southern coast of Andalucia, known as the Costa Tropical, in the province of Granada.
The Costa Tropical runs from Nerja to Motril and is characterised by rugged cliffs falling to the sea and a sub-tropical climate that encourages the growth of chirimoyas (custard apple), avocados, mangoes and bananas.
La Rijana
La Rijana is entered through a remote controlled gate. It consists of 14 houses arranged in 2 rows of 7. There is a communal pool (open in season), overlooking the sea.
The House
Our house,is at the end of a row, overlooking the pool and has breathtaking views across the ocean towards Africa and along the coastline.
It is a 2-storey house with 3 sea-view bedrooms, 1 double and 2 twin (one with pull-out bed).
The lounge-diner is furnished with leather sofas, has TV, DVD,and Hi-Fi. There are CD's, tapes, books and games for your use.
The kitchen, has granite work-surfaces, ceramic hob, combination-microwave oven, washer and large fridge-freezer. There is ample ceramic crockery and glassware for indoor use and plastic equivalent for balcony or pool-side.
There are 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite) with shower, basin and bidet.
The house is tiled throughout with rustic-style terracotta floor tiles. It is double-glazed and is equipped with AC and heating on the lower floor.
Patio doors open onto a terrace with patio furniture(with external patio canopy)which stretches over 2 sides, giving superb sea and pool views.
The house is equipped with intercom for the main gate, and a bell for the house gate. Parking space is available outside the house.
Places of Interest.
Almuñecar has the heart of an old Andalucian pueblo with hilly narrow streets in the old town full of tapas bars, bodegas,restaurants and small shops.
You can visit the town market to buy fresh fish, meat and vegetables,see the remains of the fish-salting factory, wander through the botanical gardens (jazz festival in July), visit the bird park,castle, museum and Friday outdoor market. There is a water park on the coast below La Rijana. Riding and golf are also nearby as are all water sports.
Out of town you can travel up Almuñecar’s tropical valley, where you will encounter magnificent scenery. You can eat game up here in the mountains. Carry on to the hot springs at Alhama de Granaga and return via Velez Malaga.
Salobreña to the east of Almuñecar is built on an outcrop of rock and topped by Moorish fortifications and north from here is Granada, just an hour from Almunecar. This was the last capital of the Moorish kings and is well worth a visit, not only for the marvellous Alhambra Palace, but also for the many other places of interest within the city.
There is good skiing to be had in the Sierra Nevada (generally Nov – Easter).
South of the Sierra Nevada are the Alpujarras, (‘Driving Over Lemons’ fame), a series of foothills with steep valleys and ancient villages, some with houses built into the hillsides.
To the west of Almunecar, before Herradura, you can go to Marina del Este, an exclusive marina with smart restaurants and some lovely boats to look at. Beyond Herradura, you will come to Nerja, a popular resort for British holiday-makers, with a good beach (Burriana) and fantastic caves (International festival, featuring ballet, opera, flamenco in July). Beyond this you will come to the whitewashed village of Torrox Pueblo and Torrox Costa, the latter having a very pleasant promenade lined with restaurants.
History of the Area
Palaeolithic, Neolithic and Bronze-Age man made his home in the surrounding areas, but it was not until 3000 yrs ago that the modern history of Almuñecar began, when it was inhabited by the Phoenicians. Subsequently the Romans and Moors ruled. Under the occupation of the Arabs, this important town was known as ‘Al-Munakkab’ (fortified town), or ‘Hins-al Monacar’ (flanked by hills). Evidence of the Romans can be seen in the fish factory and aqueduct.
The Roman hilltop fortifications were rebuilt and expanded into a formidable Moorish castle. At the same time, Arabs introduced sugar cane, pomegranate, citrus, fig and the silk industry.
Beaches
The region offers a huge variety of beaches and coves where opportunities exist for diving, windsurfing, paragliding, jet-ski, scuba, snorkelling, fishing, pedalo, nudism or simply sunbathing and swimming.
You might note the following beaches, (from east to west):
Playa de Cabria: Small, popular beach, food, can walk around cove to a smaller headland.
Playa el Pozuelo: Small beach with shade provided by eucalyptus. Food available.
Playa el Tesorillo: (Tesorillo means Little Treasure). Sandy inlet bordered by rocks. Bars.
Playa Velilla: 2km sand and shingle, restaurants, shops water-sports.
Playa Puerta del Mar: Main beach of Almunecar, running from the aquapark to San Cristóbal.
Playa San Cristóbal: Long beach with wide promenade. Beach-bars, restaurants, water-sports, fishing fleet.
Playa de Cotobro: Small sand and shingle beach just round the headland. Restaurant. Can walk round the rocks to next beach.
Playa del Muerto: Nudist bathing area. Secluded shingle and rock coves.
Playa de Berengueles: Small sandy beach beside Marina Del Este (an exclusive boat harbour, similar to Puerto Banus), from which diving can be organised. Bars/restaurants.
Playa de la Herradura: ‘Herradura’ means ‘horseshoe’ and this sandy beach runs for 2k fronting the town of the same name. It is never really crowded and there are opportunities to park on the beach. Restaurants.
Further west, lie numerous beaches down steep cliffs, which have recently been made accessible by foot only with the exception ofPlaya Canuelo, which has a mini-bus service in summer.
Fairs, Fiestas and Festivals.
These occur throughout the year and you can find out about them from the local tourist office or by visiting www.almunecar.com. In summer, the Jazz Festival in July, held in the botanical gardens beneath the floodlit castle, is well worth enjoying.
In the area of Almunecar, as you can see, you will always find something to do. The location of La Rijana, suitable all year round, means that you can combine the tranquillity of gazing across the blue of the Mediterranean with the convenience of being within minutes of a vibrant Spanish town. You can explore the coastal towns and more remote beaches or head inland to the mountains.
And remember.... the wonderful city of Granada and the Sierra Nevada ski resort are just a short drive away!
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