The Phoenicians founded this seaside town in the 8th century b.c., naming it Sexi, and establishing the first garum (fermented fish paste) works just up from the main beach. The Romans took over in 218 b.c. and kept the garum business going, as Sexi’s fish paste was traded as far away as Greece and Turkey. The town became a more traditional fishing port under the Moors, who also introduced sugar cane farming to the region. Today, most visitors come for the long stony beach dotted with churrerías, which open early for breakfast. An extensive complex of parks and ruins in Barrio San Miguel near the beach explains Almuñécar’s rich history. The most important coastal resort of Granada province, Almuñécar is less crowded than the other beach resorts. Its subtropical climate makes its Rio Verde valley a hothouse for fruits and vegetables. The Parque Botánico El Majuelo in the central city next to the ruins of the Roman fish paste factory is filled with tropical and subtropical species that flourish in the warm microclimate.
