Salobreña Day Trip: Discover a Coastal Town in Andalusia

During our late summer visit to Grenada, Spain we took a day trip to the delightful seaside town of Salobreña. This trip was my first time visiting Spain’s Andalusia region and I really enjoyed it!

Salobreña is a picturesque town on the Costa Tropical, that pairs stunning coastal scenery with mountain views and over 6,000 years of history. The elevated old town is perched high on a hill and it’s topped with an ancient Moorish fortress surrounded by charming white-washed homes decorated with colorful pots spilling over with various succulents. This town was a dreamy place to spend a day exploring with my cameras.

Our day started with an hour bus ride directly from Granada. Upon arrival, we opted for a Spanish breakfast of freshly squeezed orange juice and pan con tomate at a local cafe.

Then, it was time to explore Salobreña old town which is built on a hill and visible from a distance. We made our way up the old town's steep, winding streets, which definitely got our heart rates going!

We passed through narrow, white-washed alleyways filled with blooming flowers, revealing centuries of history at every turn.

The hill is crowned by a Moorish fortress dating back to the 13th century that sits 100 meters above sea level. It's easy to see why this fortress was built strategically — unbeatable views of the Sierra del Chaparral mountains and the blue expanse of the Mediterranean Sea.

After exploring the quiet fortress and snapping photos, we descended through the old town, heading for the beach.

I paused to add a roll of Kodak Ektar 100 to my Rolleiflex. I was happy to capture the bright white-washed buildings and abundant colorful flora and fauna like bougainvillea, monstera, and cacti. Every corner revealed new textures, stories, hidden courtyards, and centuries-old stone pathways.

At the base of the hill, we reached the new part of town which reminded me of the Floridian beach towns I grew up visiting.

Salobreña has two main beaches separated by the famous rock formation El Peñon de Salobreña. We opted for Playa de la Guardia, a chill, beach that locals also seemed to favor.

The pebble beach was dotted with colorful umbrellas as families soaked up the sun and swam in the shimmering blue sea.

We passed seaside restaurants grilling fresh fish and octopus over antique boats; the smokey aroma drew us in. For lunch, we paused at La Bahía, nestled on the corner of the promenade and the beach with a great view of the rock formations and sea. Hungry after our morning hike, we took our chance to feast on freshly caught grilled sardines and red snapper. I didn't expect to become a fan of grilled sardines, but the crispy, charred flavor was enhanced by the salty breeze, and we could not get enough! As it turns out, sardines are particularly plump between May and October when they gorge on plankton.

After lunch, it was time to relax on the beach, enjoy a swim, and nap sun-soaked on the pebbled shore. I love how the bold Mediterranean sun glistened over the water. Unwinding with the sound of the sea, the peaceful vibe here was hard to leave behind. It was early September, and we were lucky to catch Salobreña without many other tourists. As the day wound down, we had one last look at the castle, visible from the beach, glowing in the golden light of the setting sun. I finished my roll of Ektar 100 at the end of the golden hour, just in time to catch the bus home.

With its mix of historic charm, natural beauty, and tranquil shore Salobreña, my only regret was having to leave so soon! Our bus ride home left a lasting impression; as the sun sank behind the mountains, the sky at dusk was layered with warm golden to purple tones and mountain silhouettes.

The sky was so clear that we could even spot Venus at one point. Coming from a place like Amsterdam that's so often overcast, spotting stars is really a treat; what a simple yet rewarding way to end our day trip. You can watch more about our adventure here.