Motril, with about 60,000 inhabitants, is the second city of the province of Granada and the capital of the Costa Tropical, in Andalusia. It lies on a fertile plain between the Sierra de Lújar and the sea, with a subtropical climate that allows crops unique in Europe. Its port is the province's only one.
History
Of Arab origin, Motril was a farming and trading town. From the Middle Ages to the second half of the 20th century its economy revolved around sugar cane, introduced by the Arabs: the plain was covered in cane fields and the town full of sugar mills. The last factory closed at the end of the 20th century, and today greenhouses and tropical fruit have replaced the cane.
What to see
- The Pre-Industrial Sugar Cane Museum, in a 16th-century sugar mill, telling the story of the industry.
- The sanctuary of the Virgen de la Cabeza, on the hill where the Arab castle stood, with views over the town and coast.
- The 16th-century church of the Incarnation, built on a mosque.
- The 18th-century Casa de la Palma and the Teatro Calderón.
- The Pueblos de América park and the old town.
Beaches
Motril's beaches are wide, with dark sand and pebbles: Playa Granada, with golf, Playa de Poniente, near the port, and Playa de la Joya. The municipality also includes Carchuna, Calahonda and Torrenueva.
Tropical fruit and food
The plain grows avocado, mango, cherimoya, papaya and other tropical fruit, plus greenhouse vegetables. Try fried fish, rum still made by hand from local cane, and migas with fish.
Festivals
The festivities of the Virgen de la Cabeza, the town's patron, are in August, with the Feria. Holy Week and carnival are also keenly celebrated.
Around and getting there
Salobreña, Almuñécar, the Alpujarras and the Sierra Nevada. Motril is about 70 km from Granada and 100 km from Málaga, linked by bus with both.