Motril

Map of Motril

Upcoming events in Motril

In 5 weeks (Wednesday, Feb. 22nd 2012)
Carnival

The second largest town in the Granada province, Motril is sometimes overlooked as it has less of the picturesque attraction of its neighbour, Salobreña. Looks can be deceptive however, as Motril is a thriving working Spanish town with a major port, numerous shops, an 18 hole golf course and one of the regions biggest hospitals. In addition to this Motril boasts not one but seven beaches which have been awarded the accolade of some of Europes cleanest beaches for several years running! Spanish families in particular love the Motrils beaches which offer a range of activities and waters. The most well known are the Playa Granada with its family friendly atmosphere, the more lively Poniente Beach with its promenade and the Playa de Calahonda with its deep, clean waters. Further afield there are water sports opportunities at Carchuna beach, a nudist beach at La Joya, or the shallow waters and fine sand of the beach in Torrenueva.
Iglesia de los Agustinos

Author: Jose Luis Ogea

The discovery of coins and other artefacts has revealed that Motril, like many towns in the Costa Tropical area has been occupied at least since the Bronze Age. Roman remains attest to the fact that there was also a minor Roman settlement in the Motril area. By the Middle Ages the town was still small consisting primarily of a farmhouse that belonged to the Emir of Granada and was closely dependant on Salobreña. Along with much of the southern coast Motril was ruled by the Moors until 1489 when Christians attacked and succeeded in driving the Moors from the town. The battle left the former fishing town as a barren wasteland until 1510 when, in an effort to repopulate Motril, five hundred Christian Spaniards were given land in the area. Due to the development of the sugar cane industry Motril continued to grow from this time onwards to become the commercial and economic capital town of the coast by the 19th Century. Today the sugar cane plantation Casa de Palma is one of Motrils most popular tourist sites, with both the fields and buildings are open for tours. In the town itself the oldest surviving building is the magnificent Greater Church of the Encarnacion built in 1502 by the cardinal Mendoza.

Because Motril is the main fishing harbour for the Granada province fish and seafood dishes are not only plentiful but delicious. The town is especially well known for the Morago of Sardines - a dish in which sardines are baked in olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, parsley, lemon juice and white wine and for its dried octopus which is used in a variety of local dishes. The town also lays claim to a popular dessert known as Motrils Royal Cake. This is a sponge cake is filled with flavoured cream, often almond or vanilla and traditionally washed down with a shot of rum!

Although relatively undiscovered by foreigners Motrils popularity has grown in recent years in part owing to the cheaper prices town houses, villas and cortijos command compared to the towns neighbours.