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| The beautiful Calahonda coastal village on the Costa Tropical. |
Calahonda
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Not to be confused with Calahonda beach which is situated between Marbella and Fuengirola, Calahonda is a beautiful old fishing village on the Costa Tropical. Although it is considered to be a part of the Motril municipality, it is located on the very eastern boundary of the municipality, straddling the A-7 coastal road. The town has not been subject to large developments and therefore the coastal village has managed to preserve its’ traditional identity.
Calahonda can provide a welcome escape from other areas on the Andalusian coastline where tourism can be overwhelming; in the summer months especially. Despite more modern developments being erected in the area to feed the demand for tourism in Andalusia, they have, on the whole, been built to try to respect and conform to the architecture representative of the town. If you want a break from the coastline, Calahonda is but a short drive from the Sierra Nevada national park and ski resort where you can ski by day and return to the warm beach bars by night. The ski season in the Sierra Nevada lasts from around November to April depending on weather conditions. It has about 1700 inhabitants.
History
Calahonda arose after the construction of the Carchuna Castle in order to defend the area from Berber attacks. This meant locals felt safe and protected, leading to the creation of the population nucleus that is currently known today.
The history of this town has always been linked to that of the sea. Today it is a place widely visited by fans of fishing and diving enthusiasts, where there are several schools offering various courses. It was in Calahonda’s fishing port where the trading ships that sailed to the American continent and other parts of the world docked, as it was considered that its inlet had a better seabed for this purpose.
It was in 1841 when its port was granted second-class customs status, as local historians have recently reported. One of the events that is almost certain to have actually occurred is that on October 13, 1805, an English ship, flying the Spanish flag, entered the Granada coast, passing the Castillo de Carchuna and El Farillo to the port of Calahonda, where it raised his true flag and began to attack ships that were docked there.
At the end of this century, in 1872, the Iglesia Purísima Inmaculada Concepción was completed which meant residents of Catholic beliefs no longer had to travel to Gualchos-Castell de Ferro to hear mass.
Things to see
Farillo de Calahonda
The “leaning tower of Carchuna”, also known as the Farillo de Calahonda or Torre de la Punta del Llano, is situated on the sandy point that connects the beaches of Carchuna and Calahonda. Built in 1575 by the bricklayer Juan Alonso, it served to protect and defend the port of Calahonda from the west. It was occupied from 1839 by the police, its structure being modified to install a lighthouse that would serve as orientation for the ships heading to the port of Calahonda. Currently the tower is sunken in sand and overturned, thus giving it a peculiar appearance and giving an original vision of Calahonda beach. The lighthouse of Calahonda is one of the most emblematic places on the coast and it is common throughout the year to see artists who cannot resist capturing on their canvases the picturesque sunset from here on Playa Calahonda, next to the “Chiringuito El Farillo” beach bar.
Torre de Zambullón
The construction of the watchtower dates back to the sixteenth century in order to protect the mouth of the port from pirates. It also served to guard the beach of La Rijana, crossing its fire with that of the Llano de Carchuna to the west and with the Fort of Castell to the east. It is made of limestone masonry and lime mortar. Located on the N-340.
Cueva de Bigotes
The cave is located inland, near the cemetery, and is an element that was believed to be of Arab origin, although it must date back to the time of the French Revolution. Used by a man from Motril known as Bigotes to hide from invading troops after his acts of sabotage against the French. Located on Camino del Puntal.
Beaches
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Calahonda is said to have the deepest and most transparent waters of the entire tropical coast. The nearby cliffs are rich in waterfowl and rock plants, many of them genetically connected to those of North Africa, protected by a headland to the east and shadowed by cliffs that surround it. This is not to say that there is a sense of claustrophobia, but instead a sense of cosiness and safety resides over the village which looks out across the vast expanse of the Mediterranean. This natural headland has helped to create a sheltered harbour.
The beach is clean and well equipped with showers, sun loungers and beach bars for the summer months, and lifeguards do operate in the high seasons.
Calahonda has not been subject to large developments like has been the case for some parts on the Costa Tropical and much of the Costa del Sol and therefore the coastal village has managed to… More →
Calahonda is the last beach on the Costa Tropical before it becomes Costa Almeria. This is a very popular beach with lifeguards, showers, chiringuitos and pedalos for hire.
Hotels in Calahonda
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GASTRONOMY
Calahonda gastronomy is typical of any seaside town with fresh fish being the protagonist in almost all meals. The olla de San Antón is one of the most popular dishes, made with dried beans, rice, black pudding and pork, as are the gachas pimentoneras, consisting of a stew made of fish, tomatoes, garlic, peppers and paprika. Also worth trying is the cordero segureño, made with Segureño lamb, a high-quality meat accompanied by fried sweetbreads and liver. The saladilla con habas is very typical of the province, consisting of a round, flat bread made from beans covered with coarse salt.
Festivals
The popular festival in Calahonda is Fiestas Patronales de la Virgen del Carmen and San Joaquín. More>
Bus Service
There are bus services from Calahonda to Granada, Motríl, Salobreña, Almería, Almuñécar, Úbeda and Albondón. More>
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for the next few days for Calahonda. More>
Tourist Office
The tourist office of Calahonda is located in the Town Hall. More>
Nearby Places
The neighbouring villages to Calahonda are Torrenueva Costa and Gualchos-Castell de Ferro.
