Opazo Beach View La Herradura

La Herradura, Costa Tropical of Granada

Why choose La Herradura?

We have lived at Cortijo Opazo, up in the mountains of the Alpujarras, since 2003 and have certainly come to think of this area as our permanent home, but we all like a change of scenery from time to time. When one thinks of having a break and taking time out for a holiday, often the notion of the seaside springs to mind. It took us a number of years to find somewhere on the southern coast of Andalucia that would really suit us. We looked for quiet locations with an authentic Spanish feel about them. We searched for dramatic scenery and a countryside you can explore on foot as well as by car - or even on horseback. A good selection of restaurants, a fresh food market, and a relaxed feel to the place were also important to us. With the small coastal town of La Herradura we feel we have found exactly what we were looking for and we hope the pictures and explanations on this page will show you too.

The word 'La Herradura' in Spanish means 'horse shoe', and this is where the town gets its name because the bay is shaped in a perfect horse shoe. This means that it is often protected from wind since it has two long arms that seems to embrace the sea from either side, making ideal for a holiday summer and winter. In this picture you can see the right arm made by the cliffs of the Cerro Gordo, which is where the Natural Park begins, a 12 km stretch of undeveloped natural coastline between La Herradura and the town of Nerja. Not only is the coastline protected from development but the marine life is too. The limestone rocks make for a fascinating underwater world, which is why La Herradura is a great centre for scuba diving. Sailing, windsurfing and kayaking are also popular sports, along with paragliding and horse riding, all of which can be easily arranged locally.

The town of La Herradura is relatively small with a population of about 30,000, mainly Spanish but with a good number of foreigners who have chosen to make this their home - or at least a second home, it is a great place to spend the winter months. Along the coast there are a few low rise apartment blocks with restaurants and bars, all facing the sea front. Here there is also a fresh food market that is open daily and a number fo small greengrocers, bakeries and grocery shops. A short way in from the coast is found the old town of La Herradura, a labyrinth of cobbled narrow streets that climb the hill towards los Altos de la Maravillas, bedecked with pots of brightly coloured geraniums and startling bougainvillea flowers. It is in the quiet area at the top of the old town that we have chosen to buy our new apartment, a short walk away from the lively activities of the sea front and with the most spectacular views that the town can offer.

In the summer the beach is never too crowded to find a comfortable spot. It is very popular with Spanish families visiting from Granada

The warmth and quality of light that can be found in winter is what makes La Herradura a popular year round destination. Temperatures of 20 degrees in winter are common

The old town of La Herradura has an unsophisticated charm. The residents are mainly Spanish and will be sure to greet you with a smile and a 'Buenas días'

More about the local beaches

La Herradura is the closest town to the unspoilt Natural Park of Cerro Gordo where you can still find unspoilt sandy coves with little or no building, just simple charm and the occasional naturist sun worshipper

Here there are plenty of opportunities for walking and encounters with nature, such as this cheeky 'cabra'. Wild flowers in spring and early summer are superb

The bay of La Herradura actually faces south west, a fact that has made its winter sunsets into the sea the envy of other coastal resorts along the Costa del Sol and Costa Tropical.