11 Unmissable Things to Do in Salobreña

One of the most underrated Andalusian coasts is the Costa Tropical in Granada. It’s a little paradise to enjoy quieter beaches, quaint towns and delicious local produce.

Salobreña is one of those towns that ticks off all the boxes for a fantastic quiet getaway. Unlike others, it feels more authentic, more Spanish, as tourists don’t overrun it. It’s often seen as a beach destination, but it’s also rich in culture. 

I’m not very far from Salobreña, as I’m from the Costa del Sol, but I still ask myself why I didn’t visit it earlier. 

This article is based on my recent visit. It was short but sweet, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be back soon.

Discover the best things to do, where to eat and other tips to make the most of your trip to Salobreña below! 

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Things to do in Salobreña

1. Visit the Arab Castle

Perched on a hilltop, the Arab Castle is the town’s main attraction. It’s unmissable and I would recommend scheduling 45 minutes at least to go through all the different parts. 

It can take you longer if you pause to read the information panels and take photos. The views are spectacular. 

This castle was a royal residence and prison during the Kingdom of Granada, which ruled from the 14th to the 15th centuries. 

It’s interesting to know that the Nasrid Bath inside the castle were built in a similar style to one of the buildings inside the Alhambra.  

2. Wander the old town 

The old town is the area I like the most because it’s where you find all the typical Andalusian white-painted little towns, cosy squares and viewpoints. 

It’s worth spending some time here, but I must warn you that it’s very steep and hilly, so be ready for a good workout. 

3. Check out Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Rosario

Parish of Our Lady of the Rosary is a must-see in Salobreña. It’s the town’s main parish church, where the most important religious events take place. For example, it’s the departure point of the processions during Easter Week.

This catholic church was built on the site of a former Muslim mosque, which you can appreciate by some of the elements that are still preserved in the building, at the beginning of the 16th century.

For me, the most impressive feature is the Moorish-style door on one of the sides of the church with its beautiful, ornate tiles.

5. Stop by Nuevo Parque La Fuente

When you walk from the top of the town to the beach, you’ll come across Parque de la Fuente. It’s a small park with a lovely pond with a bridge where you can see ducks. 

As you can see in the photo above, my partner and I saw lots of ducklings, and it was so lovely! 

There’s a small cafe inside the park, but it was closed when we visited it. It might be a good spot to relax with a cup of coffee. 

In the summer months, you can sometimes see concerts and other events taking place in the park. 

6. Spend time at the beach

One of the highlights of Salobreña is the beach. The coastline is beautiful, just picture yourself swimming in clear waters where you can see what’s underneath your feet. Many people snorkel here because the sea life is rich and diverse. 

I didn’t spend much time on the beach, apart from eating at the chiringuitos and walking up the rock in El Peñón, which I think offers some of the best views. 

The beach next to El Peñón is pebbled, but other beaches have sand. 

7. Walk through the narrowest street of Salobreña

I’ve walked through many narrow streets, but I had never had one like the one in Salobreña. It’s probably the narrowest street I’ve ever walked through! I could barely move or turn around. 

It’s located in the Fuente Neighbourhood, exactly in Calle Fuente A. 

8. Try the local fruits and jams

One of the best things to do in Salobreña is to try the local fruits. This area of Andalusia is well-known for tropical fruits, think of apple custards, papayas, mangoes and avocados.

You don’t need to go to a fruit field to taste all these delicious products, as you can enjoy them at restaurants or even buy them from the market. 

However, if you want to learn more about how they grow, their nutritional value and more, then it’s a good idea to book a visit. 

I wish I had more time to book one. The one I was recommended to visit was Finca Ecológica Matagallares.

9. Go to the local market

Salobreña has its local market, which isn’t as big as other markets like the Atarazanas in Malaga or the Triana market in Sevilla, but I love a market, and if you don’t go to one of the orchards, this is a good place to buy local fruits and try them later.

If you go to the market on a Friday, you’ll find the mercadillo (outdoor market) just outside the market. 

You can expect stalls with very discounted clothes, shoes, accessories, antiques and fruits and vegetables. It gives you a real sense of a typical Spanish local market. 

10. See the pink house of Salobreña

This pink house was the former residence of the owners of the old San Francisco sugar cane factory, but nowadays it’s the Jose Martin Recuerda Foundation, which has works of this Spanish author who lived in the city. 

11. Go on a hike

I visited Salobreña in the summer, so it was pretty hot to go on a hike, but it’s on my list for next time. 

If you’re interested in hiking, go to the tourist office. They have a really helpful map with routes and their difficulties. 

What makes hiking in the area unique is the wide variety of birds you can encounter, from owls to falcons and nightingales.

Some of these routes will take you to some amazing natural wonders like La Caleta Cliffs, the Mouth of the River Guadalfeo, Salobreña and Lobres Valley and Gambullon Gorge.

If you want some amazing hikes, don’t miss the following: 

• Circular de Lobres (easy)
• Vega de Salobreña (easy)
• Ruta de la chirimoya (easy)
• Senda Mediterránea (moderate)

Places to eat in Salobreña

I love researching places to eat wherever I go, and after asking friends who had visited Salobreña and locals, I decided to try the following places: 

La Bahia

La Bahia is one of the prettiest chiringuitos in Salobreña. I love that they have three different spaces to sit down. 

We picked a table on the beach because you get direct views of El Peñón and the beach. 

Food-wise, we tried two dishes: the garlic prawns and grilled monkfish. The prawns weren’t the typical pil pil prawns, but were tasty, and the fish was really nice. Flaky and flavourful. 

Restaurante Chiringuito Casa Emilio

Restaurante Casa Emilio was one of those places I kept hearing others talk about, and for some people is the best beach restaurant in Salobreña. 

If I were you, I would make a reservation, which is exactly what I did. I was lucky to turn up 30 minutes before lunchtime and book a table, but I wouldn’t risk it. 

The prices aren’t cheap, but the food is pretty good! The menu has a wide variety of dishes, but my advice is to get the fish and seafood dishes. 

We ordered sardines and their special salad, which has roasted peppers, hard-boiled eggs, tuna, avocado and tomatoes.. The sardines were meaty and had the right amount of salt. They’re some of the best I’ve had in a while. The salad was delicious too. 

Hotel Miba

The restaurant at Hotel Miba is well-recognised in Salobreña, so my expectations were high before visiting it. 

Well, it didn’t disappoint. I don’t think the menu is extensive, but it has some incredible dishes, plus they always have some dishes of the day. 

My partner and I ordered the tomato hummus, tuna tartar and Iberian pork with potatoes. Everything was spot on, and the staff was very friendly.

Although the food was amazing, I also really enjoyed having dinner with a view of the castle, which is lit at night. 

Unfortunately, we didn’t have room for dessert, but they looked good, too. 

Fancy something sweet? Il Treno is the place to go to! The ice cream is smooth and tasty! They also have homemade pastries and cakes. 

Where to stay in Salobreña

I stayed at Hotel Miba, which is on the N-340 road, just before entering Salobreña. Whilst it isn’t central and you can’t walk from the hotel to the town, the hotel is worth every penny. It’s cosy, quiet, and it has spacious and modern rooms. I wrote a full review of Hotel Miba here.

If you prefer to stay in the actual town, the Hotel Avenida Tropical by Bossh! Hotels has good reviews. 

Conclusion

Is it worth visiting? My answer is yes. It’s a gem in the Costa Tropical and a great spot to explore other towns like Almuñécar or Motril. 

I visited it in July, during the peak season, and although there were travellers, it didn’t feel overwhelming. It was much quieter than the towns on the Costa del Sol. June and July are good months for a summer holiday, but if you want to sightsee and hike, opt for months like April, May and October.

Enjoy your time in Salobreña!

Cristina

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