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Garrucha

Population circa 6,100

Market day - Friday

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One of the smallest towns in Spain, covering an area of some 7.6 sq. km., Garrucha forms one of the most densely populated areas of Almería. It is also one of the most important fishing ports in the Mediterranean in terms of quantity of fish caught.

There is a large street market every Friday, as well as a public fish market every weekday afternoon at the green lonja (warehouse-like building) at the south end of the fishing port.

The town has a past going back some 5000 years: more recently, in 1769 King Carlos III completed construction of the Castle of Jesus of Nazarene (located at the southern end of Garrucha) to ward off attacks from pirates that were hampering the area's growth. Around the turn of the 20th century, it had considerable export trade in lead, silver, iron, copper, esparto grass, marble and fruit. Garrucha also had outlets for the residents to enjoy their prosperity: casinos and ballrooms gave the town a glamour very different from the surrounding areas.

Since that time, exports have changed to ballast materials for building but the deep sea port is still very much in operation, alongside fishing and a pleasure/sport marina. Construction on the current port started in 1931.

Buildings of interest in Garrucha include la Iglesia de la Parroquia de San Joaquin (Parish Church) and el Hermitage de la Virgen del Carmen, the patron saint of Garrucha. Every year on July 16th the fishermen pass the chapel in a spirited procession on their way to the sea. The Ayuntamiento (town hall) on the seafront was converted from a salt warehouse constructed in 1875: the interior was rebuilt in 1991.

The town has three ports and the many restaurants in the town are noted especially for their seafood dishes, especially gambas (prawns), fresh daily from the local port and a fine reputation for seafood; its succulent "Garrucha Red Prawns" are famous throughout Andalucia. Its apt slogan is Garrucha, Sun and Seafood. You can sample these in any of the fine restaurants or bars along the seafront or buy some at the daily fish auction to take home for the Barbeque.

A paseo de maritimo (maritime walkway) with a white Macael marble balustrade lines the seafront for some 2 km: the same paseo that link up with Vera Playa and will soon with Mojacar Playa. The soft sandy beaches usually receive the EU Blue Flag award for cleanliness, in spite of their location close to the port.

The palm lined promenade is the perfect place for a late evening stroll, stopping for a moment to sit in one of the gardens, watching the sun set over the sea. You'll find it so easy to relax here but when you want to be active there's plenty to keep you occupied.

There are 6 golf courses less than 20 minutes drive and windsurfing and sailing at the beach. You can also have a go at driving one of Garrucha's Go-Karts, a very popular activity for young people.

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