La Herradura in Spain
Stopping along the Costa Tropical after leaving Granada brings us to La Herradura in Southern Spain.
It’s here where the mountains meet the sea, with a relatively laid back feel and we’re ready to relax a little. It’s been a busy week or so exploring Madrid and Cordoba as well as the almighty Alhambra at Granada. The time of year is mid-March and the sun is shining, with a welcome warmth in the air.
Pebble beaches and hilltop castles
This area is unknown to us and the journey along the coast to Salobrena brings views of pebble beaches and hilltop castles.
Driving on to Almunecar, we’re in search of a camper stop seen on Campercontact and Park4night Apps. It’s a very hilly approach which brings us to the entrance to the private motorhome stopover. After a quick look, although it seems fine, we decide to move on to the next option at La Herradura.
La Herradura Motorhome Stopover
The approach into the small resort town of La Herradura in Spain is fairly unassuming. There’s apartment buildings and shops with the road to the sea between, so it’s rather surprising there’s a camper stop area hidden from view.
Turning a corner into a dead-end street leads to the motorhome Aire-type area, unfortunately there’s a sign outside saying ‘full’.
We have to continue inside to turn around, and with that, despite the gates being shut, out comes a jolly chap to wave us in.
It seems our luck is changing and no sooner has he come to greet us, than he double checks our campervan size and disappears. Thankfully, he soon returns with good news. Yes, he’s got a place for us and beckons us in.
A popular motorhome stop
Although we’re shown a place to park up for a couple of nights, there’s no room after that. We just fit nicely onto one of the small pitches available, the rest of the motorhome parking being full.
We don’t want to stay more than 2 nights, so this will be fine for us, but for anyone who usually prefers longer stays, then it may prove difficult.
La Herradura motorhome stop has showers, toilets, laundry facilities and a good dump and fresh water area.
We don’t usually have electric hook up, so we’re unsure what this is like here, but as with many private areas in Europe, it costs extra.
The motorhome parking has a few other British campervans as well as German and Dutch, with a friendly atmosphere amongst fruit trees.
Long beach and calm sea
The good thing about the motorhome parking in La Herradura is the location. Despite it being a little unscenic in surroundings, once we’re outside the gates the beach is upon us.
Strangely, there’s no promenade here, but there is a pavement on one side of the beach road which has a selection of small shops and restaurants. There’s also a couple of small supermarkets and fine views as we walk the length of the beach front.
A large pebble beach and calm sea is a welcoming sight.
A walk to a marina
After exploring La Herradura, we decide to extend our walk up hill from the beach. Leaving the low key resort behind, we follow signs for Marina del Este, which is across the headland in effect.
Fine views of La Herradura await, looking out across the bay and out to sea is beautiful. Mountain scenery provides a backdrop to the arid landscape of this unspoiled area, it’s very much a world away from some of the more well known resorts of Southern Spain.
Our walk to the marina brings us to a down hill path and an opportunity for a coffee on a waterfront eatery.
This time of year, the apartment complexes are virtually empty, with few shops open and a feeling of being away from it all.
I’m sure in high season, this marina area will be bustling.
A laid back kind of place to return to
La Herradura is a laid back kind of place. We quite like the feeling of peace and tranquility, although it may prove too quiet for some.
Fast forward a year to Winter 2025 and we return to La Herradura, due to poor weather bringing a change of direction to our travels.
Unfortunately, the motorhome area was full this time, with no room available. Instead, we drove to the end of the beach and spent a night at Camping Cerro Gordo. This small, fairly original looking campsite has a friendly welcome from its reception team and several pitches to choose from. They love cats here and soon we’re having a visit from a cute feline who pops into the campervan!
There’s a good dump and fresh area which we use, as well as electric hook up, showers and toilets. Although the amenities are a little old, everything is clean and proves fine for our night stop.
It’s good to familiarise ourselves again with the town and take a stop along the Costa Tropical. The weather isn’t as good as the first visit, with a coolness in the air, choppy sea and threat of rain, which has been relentless.
No doubt, we’ll return again at some point, but for now it’s time to move on as those itch feet set in.
pricing
La Herradura motorhome area €13 per night without EHU Winter 2024
Camping Cerro Gordo €20 per night Winter 2025
