Garrucha on the Almeria Coast By Carolina Pujol At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

As part of my job as an airport shuttle driver, I frequently make the journey from Almeria airport to Garrucha, a pretty and traditional Spanish fishing town on the south-eastern coast.

A green and peaceful place less than an hour's drive from Almeria airport, Garrucha has charming narrow paved streets running between old buildings and churches. As you approach Garrucha you’ll see a couple of gentle conical hills that rise out of the coast in front of the sea – these are the last of the Sierra Cabrera Mountains that dominate the coast to the south.

As a market town which originated as an outlet for local farmers, Garrucha still has a weekly market (which takes place every Friday morning) and sells just about everything. It’s worth a look if you want to take home a holiday bargain, or perhaps find some hot chicken for lunch.

Indeed, the main reason to visit Garrucha is for the food. I'd be happy to drive holiday makers from Almeria airport to Garrucha just to try the restaurants here! The local specialty is fish, and most restaurants - especially the fish bars - will serve seafood that was caught only hours earlier that day. In fact, the town is considered to be the ‘seafood capital’ of the Almeria province. Garrucha is particularly famous for the red prawns that are only found in this area of the Mediterranean Sea.

Fishing is the traditional industry of Garrucha, and on an evening stroll you will likely see the fishermen bringing home what they’ve caught off the coast of Almeria to Garrucha’s port. The fishing boats share the port with pleasure boats and yachts; they are all protected by the long arm of the harbour wall. The boats moored here, and the town, were once protected by the ancient castle that overlooks the harbour.

The beach is nearby, and the sand here is a rich golden colour. Garrucha boasts a blue flag beach, one of only a few along this coastline, and has plenty of sand for the holiday makers that come here. The beach promenade is the setting for the annual Fiesta that runs for four days in the middle of August with celebrations each night involving live music and a fair, as well as plenty of food and drink. The fiesta is in honour of the catholic legend Virgen del Carmen, who protects the fishermen while they are at sea.

Because the sea in this part of Spain is a beautiful deep blue, I often take an alternative route out of Garrucha to Almeria airport so I can take in the view along the coastal road. Taking this coastal road to the north will get you to the nearest golf course, 'Marina de la Torre Golf', one of several courses within reach of the town. Another is the “Club Marina Golf Mojacar” a little to the south, just off the road into Garrucha from Almeria airport.

If you prefer your walks without the bother of the white ball and metal sticks, there’s a delightful two kilometre promenade that runs through the length of the town. You‘ll find all the cafes and restaurants you need along here, as well as pretty parks with flowering trees.

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