Things To Do In The Area

Please find below some recommended beaches. They are listed in order of distance from Casa Torreta Blanca.

Vera Playa is located to the north of the main tourist resorts of Garruca & Mojacar.  The beach area stretches from Puerto Rey to Villaricos but the actual town of Vera (also known as Coto de Vera) lies slightly inland.  

A designated section of the beach is one of Europe’s leading naturist and nudist beach destinations.  Vera Naturista is actually a tiny area in ‘El Playazo. 

The main beach of Vera Playa (Playa el Playazo) is over two kilometres long and consists of sand and pebbles, and because of the fabulous Vera Playa weather, the beach is busy much of the year.

There are five beaches which have earned the prestigious European Union blue flag for its 8km of white sandy beaches: Las Marinas, Puerto Laguna, Pueblo Laguna, Puerto Rey and El Playazo.

Historically one of the most important commercial centres in this region, Vera was once known as Baria and was situated near the sea near Villaricos. Legend has it that Queen Isabel climbed to the top of the hill, fired an arrow and ordered that Vera be built where it landed.

Built in the 16th Century there are many historic buildings to see mostly located in the main square of Plaza Mayor. These include the  Church de la Encarnación (built in 1520) with its four great towers and designed to act as a fortress to repel the attacks by the Moors.

Vera is also the location to our nearest waterpark.  Click here for more information

Garrucha is a popular tourist destination due to its superb sandy beaches.  It's a small resort which still retains its charm as a lively fishing port on the Costa de Almeria.  It's located between Vera Playa & Mojacar.  

The harbour is the central point of the town because even today Garrucha is still a working fishing town and fishing accounts for a large part of Garrucha’s economy. The fishing boats set off just before dawn and return in the afternoon with their catch. You can buy fresh fish at the fish market by the quayside.

Garrucha is famous all over Spain because of the locally caught red prawns. No wonder Garrucha’s tourist slogan is ‘sun and seafood’!

The promenade is also one of Garrucha’s best attractions and landmarks. The promenade is over 2km long and is lined with palms. The evening brings the locals out for their traditional evening stroll. Behind the promenade are many of Garrucha’s best restaurants, cafes and bars.

Good place to eat as many restaurants clustered around the marina.

Garrucha has around 5 miles (8 kilometers) of sandy beaches (playas) which border the Mediteranean Sea. These are blue flag beaches which mean they meet the highest European Union quality standards.

The beach opposite the Garrucha town centre is the only blue flag town beach in Europe. Other Garrucha beaches are La Bolaga, Palomares, Villaricos, Cala del Hortelano, Cal Cristal, Cala de las Conchas, Cala Verde and Puerto del Ray.

There are plenty of sports and activities on the beach such as beach football, volleyball, kite flying and kite surfing, as well as water sports such as snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing and windsurfing. The beach facilities and services are good.

One of Garrucha’s most famous sights and attractions are the Cuevas de Almanzora just inland from Garrucha which are caves of which there are hundreds etched into the cliff-face on the edge of the town. Many of these caves are used as dwellings which are permanently inhabited.

If you are coming from Mojacar, we personally prefer the 'second' part of the beach, near Mercadona.  

Situated at the foot of the Sierra Almagrera Mountains & visitors to the area are drawn to its sparklingly clear waters and impressive diving spots. Hardcore diving fans can even take advantage of the town’s local diving school.  Click here for more information.

Villaricos is a fishing village and it has a strong local fishing background which still operates today and the fish is served in several of the restaurants in the village.

The village has two marinas which can be accessed by road or parking the car and walking along the promenade at each port you will find chiringuitos (beach bars) which offer drinks, main meals and various tapas.

You will also find Cristal Tower, locally known as Torre de Cristal or Castillo de Villaricos.  Cristal Tower was built between 1763 and 1772, during the reign of Charles III of Spain, on the site of an earlier tower, next to the mouth of the Almanzora river. 

Mojácar is a very popular tourist resort with great beaches on the Costa Almeria coast.  There are two distinctly different parts which are 2 km apart – Mojácar Playa is the modern beach resort and Mojácar Pueblo is the original village perched up higher on the foothills of the Sierra Cabrera.

The yellow bus service is very good and there is an hourly bus service between Mojácar Playa and Mojácar Pueblo, public transport in the town and area is good for Spain.

The hilltop Plaza Nueva has views of the Valley of the Pyramids. The Fuente Pública de Mojácar is a central fountain where the Moorish mayor surrendered to Catholic forces in 1488. Dating from 1560, the fortress-style Santa María Church is home to a 1980s fresco.  Every year In June, they have the Moors & Christians festival which concludes on Sunday with a stunning parade.

We tend to start the morning up at Pueblo (old town) and then drive down to the beach before having a late lunch at one our favourite fish restaurants - Neptuno. The website for Neptuno can be found by:  Clicking here.

Mojacar has many beach clubs & bars (chiringuito).  he beach is long and restaurants follow the coast road.    

Mojácar’s busiest beaches are Playa del Cantel and Playa de la Cueva del Lobo but elsewhere there are plenty of small coves where you can sunbathe in relative privacy.

Other beaches include: Las Granatillas Beach, El Sombrerico Beach, Castillo de Macenas Beach, Cueva del Lobo Beach, El Cantal Beach, El Descargador Beach, La Murina Beach and the Marina de la Torre Beach.

San Juan de los Terreros is a pretty coastal village that is situated in the south-east corner of Spain, specifically on border between Almeria and Murcia. It's widely known for its breathtaking unspoilt beaches, crystal clear waters and sandy coves.

While several years of development in the area had been made in order to accommodate the increasing popularity of tourism, San Juan de los Terreros managed to retain its old Andalusian air. 

San Juan de los Terreros features a number of Andalucian bars and restaurants that serve traditional Spanish tapas and menu del dia (menu of the day - very cost effective).  You can simply enjoy an exotic cocktail while gazing at the Mediterranean Sea from one of the several beach bars in the area or you can indulge in a traditional Spanish cuisine while enjoying the company of family members and friends.

San Juan de los Terreros is where you can find a castle that dates back to the 16th century. Built as a fort along the coast, the castle is nestled on a headland which is 150 meters above the coast. Standing by it gives a magnificent view of Cabo Cope as well as the Carboneras resort. The castle has been officially declared a Cultural Attraction.

Located next to Las Palmeras beach, it is highly admired for its crystalline water, a natural swimming pool and breathtaking cliffs. Protected by the surrounding mountain, the beach gives a magical air as it is covered with a beautiful white sand along with an impressive landscape. 

A stunning drive (see picture below) to a traditional Spanish resort.  Lots of restaurants on the beach.  One of our favourite destinations for lunch by the sea.

Nestled in the famous Nature Reserve of Cabo de Gata-Nijar, Carboneras was named after the word “charcoal” which the town used to produce in the past being its main industry.

Carboneras also boasts of exquisite delicacies and seafood dishes such as smoked tuna, rabbit cooked in garlic and Sea Bass which is the town’s speciality.

Situated on the eastern coast of Almeria, in a landscape made up of dry, semidesert, volcanic land, included in the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park.  

The origin of the village lies in the construction of Saint Andrew's Castle which was for military use in the XVI century. 

A group of white luminous houses next to the cobalt blue sea. An ideal place for enjoying the sun and the beach, tranquillity and an excellent climate: