MotrilMainland Spain · Spain

All About Motril

Motril is your gateway to a beautiful section of the Andalusian coast of Spain. Nestled at the base of Sierra de Lújar and the mouth of the Guadalfeo River, Motril has thrived agriculturally for generations. The town’s once-flourishing sugar cane industry brought vast wealth and shaped its cultural heritage. Although sugar cane production has declined, Motril still boasts the largest seaport of the Costa Tropical.

Motril lets you springboard to sandy beaches, the Sierra Nevada, or the charming city of Granada. The modest size offers a laid-back atmosphere to enjoy the magnificent landscapes, agricultural prowess, and stunning architecture of the Granada Province. With its beautiful spot on the Andalusian coast, Motril provides a refreshing stop on your Mediterranean vacation. When booking ferry tickets to Motril, you have a wide range of Andalusian destinations to include on your itinerary. Ferryscanner helps you find ferry routes wherever you’d like to venture during your stop on the Costa Tropical.
 

Routes and Ferries to Motril

If you’re searching for a quaint, seaside retreat, look no further than the town of Motril. As the 2nd largest town of the Granada Province, Motril has all the amenities for a relaxing stay on the Mediterranean Sea. The snowy Sierra Nevada Mountains form a majestic backdrop while you lounge on fine sand beaches just outside of town. After booking a ferry to Motril, you can use the port to springboard to smaller resort towns on the Costa Tropical.

Motril has several links that help you visit the Andalusian coast from North Africa. Ferries are easily bookable via Ferryscanner and connect Motril with the Moroccan ports of Nador and Al Hoceima. Alternatively, you can book ferry tickets to Motril from the Spanish Port of Melilla on the northwest coast of Africa. Scheduled ferries by Naviera Armas take around 5 hours to make the journey to Motril from Al Hoceima and roughly 7 hours from Nador. Sailings from Melilla to Motril via Balearia take around 6 hours.

With Ferryscanner, you can search multiple timetables and routes to book ferry tickets to Motril that fit your schedule. Whether you’re sailing from the northern coast of Morocco or the Spanish Territories, the Port of Motril has convenient connections for you. Bus routes from Granada and Seville, around 1.5 hours and 5 hours, respectively, transport travelers to and from Motril.
 

Ports of Motril

The Port of Motril serves as the primary seaport for the Costa Tropical. Whether your base is Motril or the nearby resort towns of Almuñécar and Salobreña, the Port of Motril will be your first stop if arriving by ferry. The bustling port has several bars, restaurants, and beaches within the vicinity to entertain travelers and seafarers. With a nearby yacht marina and fishing amenities, Motril makes an excellent location for sailing and fishing trips.

The port’s convenient location along the Alboran Sea and Strait of Gibraltar makes Motril an enticing spot for ferry trips across the Mediterranean. Ferryscanner makes it easy to organize your itinerary and book ferry tickets to Motril from the northern coast of Africa. When staying in Motril, the city centre is about a 10-minute drive from the port. If you wish to go straight from the ferry to the beach, there are peaceful strips of sand 5 minutes away by car.
 

Best Beaches

Situated on the Costa Tropical, Motril allows access to many gorgeous beaches on the Andalusian coast. The city is less than 10 minutes to the coastline by car and backed by the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains. With its sandy shores and turquoise waters, Costa Tropical offers beachgoers a wide range of aquatic activities. From swimming and windsurfing to fishing excursions, Motril makes a fabulous base for your beach vacation.

Playa Poniente

As the closest beach to Motril, Playa Poniente sees hefty traffic for vacationers staying in the port town. The popular beach makes up for the crowds with exceptional facilities, lively bars, and fantastic eateries. Families love lounging on the shores during the day, but its nightlife rages during late evenings. If you’d like to spend the night on the beach, Playa Poniente has two nearby campsites.

Playa Granada

Near the Los Moriscos Golf Club, Playa Granada hosts a bustling hub of sports, nightlife, and aquatic activities on the Costa Tropical. The European Blue Flag beach boasts a dark, sandy coastline adorned with beach bars, chiringuitos, and nearby summer retreats. The golf course restaurant has an elegant vibe to relax after a fun day of beach activities. Playa Granada entices kite surfers and windsurfers with the frequent offshore winds.

Playa de Carchuna

Around a 20-minute drive from Motril, Playa de Carchuna draws beachgoers with its long shoreline and deep-blue waters. Perched on the cliffside, Lighthouse Sacratif enchants visitors with its seaside vistas of the Mediterranean Sea. Another landmark worth checking out is the leaning Torre del Llano from the 16^th century.

Playa de Torrenueva

Due to its shallow, crystal-clear waters, Playa de Torrenueva is a prime swimming area near Motril. Bars and restaurants line the sandy strip and attract bustling crowds during the summer. With the nearby playground and residential homes, Torrenueva hosts a splendid vibe for beachgoers with children.

Playa de Calahonda

The wide, sandy shores of Playa de Calahonda earn praise for their exceptional cleanliness. Capped by immense stones and a mountainous backdrop, the crystal-clear bay draws water sports enthusiasts with its deep waters. The waters are usually calm and make a delightful spot for fishing excursions and scuba diving.
 

Things to Do

Motril’s beautiful location on the Costa Tropical gives you a wide range of activities to bask in nature. Rugged mountains and dreamy waters form a majestic backdrop as you tour the region around Motril. The city has various parks and nature reserves but also has enjoyable indoor activities for extremely balmy afternoons. Here are a few ideas of how to spend your time in Motril after arriving at the port.

Play Golf at Los Moriscos Club de Golf

The snowy Sierra Nevada Mountains and fresh Mediterranean breeze make this a delightful spot for a round of golf. Palm trees sway in the background as you overlook the sea from the golf course. And with 320+ sunny days per year and fabulous sunsets, Los Moriscos is heaven for golf fanatics. Between rounds, dine on Mediterranean seafood and Andalusian delights at the restaurant.

Go Birdwatching at Charca de Suárez

Just 5 km south of Motril, Charca de Suárez is a tranquil nature preserve near Playa Granada. The wetlands host a myriad of birds and other rare species that inhabit this region of Spain. With a nature guide, you’ll gain extra knowledge of the natural environment and learn the best spots to watch for wildlife in the lagoons.

Learn About Sugar at the Preindustrial Museum Sugarcane

The process of sugar cultivation goes back over 1,000 years, and the Preindustrial Museum delves into Motril’s relationship with the industry. Exhibits have diagrams that reflect the required technology to harvest sugar cane and info dating to the 10^th century. You’ll gain a better understanding of the sheer work needed to produce sugar before the help of modern equipment.

Tour the Ron Montero Rum Distillery

Speaking of sugar, it’s the vital ingredient to produce rum – an alcoholic drink beloved across the world. The Ron Montero Rum Distillery was formed in 1963 and had an intimate link to the sugar industry of Motril. A guided tour teaches you about the rum-making process and shows you how to transform sugarcane into a tasty spirit. Afterward, you’ll have a chance to taste various products and purchase items to take home.
 

Transportation Around Motril

The easiest mode of transport from the Port of Motril to your accommodations is by taxi. From the port, you’ll arrive in about 10-15 minutes, depending on the address of your accommodations. A stroll along Motril’s spacious streets will highlight the beautiful churches, old factories, and shopping centers of the commercial town.

For the most convenience, a rental car gives you the flexibility to explore Costa Tropical. You’ll find car rental agencies in Motril and at various locations on the nearby coastline. This gives you the freedom to drive around this gorgeous section of the Andalusian coast at your leisure.

If you plan on traveling to other Spanish destinations, several bus routes connect to and from Motril. The bus station is around 5 minutes outside the city center and offers service to nearby locations, such as Granada, Málaga, and Almería.