Almunecar - Medelhavspärlan där kultur möter hav och storslagna vyer

Writer: Per Gullbransson

Every year, the Spanish sun welcomes thousands of Swedes as they step off the plane at the beautifully named airport, Aeropuerto Málaga Costa del Sol.

The majority move on to places like Nerja or to the Swedes' second home - Marbella. What more people should do, however, is to travel the 12 miles or so along the beautiful motorway that passes steep mountainsides and a seductive Mediterranean Sea to the south, eventually ending up in the picturesque town of Almunecar.

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Fishing village turned holiday resort for Spaniards

For many years, Almunecar has been one of the obvious choices for Spaniards looking to escape the intense heat of the country's major cities. At weekends and in the summer, city dwellers descend on the picturesque town to eat, swim and enjoy the beautiful views. Swedish tourists have, of course, always been an obvious part of Almunecar, but it's a far cry from the levels seen in other resorts.

Here it is still relatively unusual to meet restaurant staff who speak English or Swedish. If anything, this is proof that the resort still has much of its authenticity left in it. Here you get a good dose of Spain and its culture.

I can't count my visits to Almunecar on two hands anymore and I'm beginning to wonder why I've fallen in love with this particular village. Admittedly, relatives of mine built a house on the hillside above the "fishermen's village" in the 60s and I had the privilege of running around on the beach for a week or two during some of my summers as a kid.

But now, in adulthood, we continue to come here, even though Europe and much of the rest of the world is a smorgasbord before us. The idea was to write a story about the city, to inspire more people to come here. However, I realise as I look up from the table at the café at Plaza de la Constitución, where I sit and write on the day in question, that I have started writing a declaration of love for a city rather than a travelogue.

The heart of the city

Every town has its heart, often the local shopping street, square or perhaps market hall. In Almunecar, I would say that the old town symbolises the heart. An area (Casco Antiguo) protected by the old fortress with roots stretching back to the Phoenician and Roman eras. The heart of the city. El corazón de la ciudad.

The old town is just as you would imagine a Spanish old town to be. Narrow streets in every possible direction. Small squares that open up with bars and small restaurants. All accompanied by shops with everything from local crafts, to smaller clothing stores and fruit shops. And of course the bodega selling ham and wine in mixed qualities.

I wander on

It's Sunday, I wake up to sunshine and a fairly strong morning breeze blowing in from the Mediterranean. I think of all the sailors passing the coast and realise how lonely it must feel out there. Enough thinking because I have decided to go for a walk. Maybe not primarily to chase steps, but because it is Sunday.

In Almunecar, this means heading down to San Cristobal beach with friends and family, and more specifically to Churreria San Cristobal. There you gather to eat Churros and drink coffee. A hearty portion of Churros with coffee for a few Euros tastes good.

A Sunday to my liking, as the weekend has been intense. The weekend in Almunecar always starts on Friday, when the town hosts a market, which you can find a few hundred metres from the town's bus station. It offers everything from crafts, clothes and shoes to spices and vegetables. A must for all of us tourists visiting.

It is difficult to write a fair report on Almunecar, there is so much to take your readers through.

Especially given that it is more of a chronicle of the excellence of the town. The words I think I'm trying to get across are the versatility of a genuine and picturesque village or town. I can't decide what that is. I think the reason I can't find the right words is because of everything I've experienced here. From incredibly exciting stories about the fortress that has now become a museum, to the pulse of a Saturday night in one of the squares in the old town to classic Mediterranean holidays on the beaches with ice cream and fruit in abundance.

Since I can't decide what to write - I suggest you plan your trip to Almunecar and decide for yourself what you appreciate most.

My top four things to do in Almunecar

1. the Old Town

A visit to the Old Town where, after a walk to the fortress, you catch up at Bodega Francisco I. Feel truly Spanish when you order a glass of Vino Tinto and some slices of excellent Serrano ham.

2. Walk along the seafront and visit the Jesus Memorial

Walk along either of the two beaches. Follow the excellent promenade until you reach the "Jesus Cross". Follow the stairs up to the top and enjoy an incredible view.

3. Stairs up in the old fishermen's village

It's a lot of steps, but steps well worth taking. If you stand with the sea at your back, you walk towards the mountains with the Chinasol hotel on your right. On your left you have the fishermen's village (renovated white houses). Enter the area and an incredible staircase appears. Climb up and experience a completely Spanish residential area and be rewarded by an incredible view.

4. menu del dia

Perhaps the most obvious tip. Take the opportunity to relax. Enjoy the beach and the sea. Then go to one of the many restaurants that offer a Menu del dia (menu of the day). Usually three courses of typical Spanish food. You'll pay between 12-16 euros for a full menu. Take your time to eat. Socialise, relax and enjoy experiencing the real Spain.

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Mr Per Gullbransson

Per Gullbransson is a freelance writer who, in addition to living in Asia for a few years, has a lifelong love of Spain. Comes from a background as a freelance sports journalist and photographer. Is most happy when he gets to travel around with a video camera and make his little documentaries on narrow topics or content for different types of social media accounts.