The Costa Tropical

Almunecar – Seafront Access to Apartment Rentals

 

At the end of last week I received an email from Michael B asking about the access along the Almunecar seafront, unfortunately my email reply has bounced back and could not be delivered to him. This question has come up twice now and in the hope that Michael may see this and also because it is relevant for anyone considering apartment rentals in Almunecar.

For those that do not know, Almunecar has over the past five or so years been in the process of several major projects to add underground car parks. The first that they completed (in Paseo del Alitillo) finished a year or two later than planned but in my opinion has been a success resulting in several new smart bars and restaurants close to beach under the elevated promenade as well as the new large car park. During construction there were multiple problems, concerns and complaints which caused some of the delays but everything moved on albeit slowly at times. Quite often in the middle stage of the project only one or two workmen were there to work on such a large project – if I recall correctly the company responsible for this huge car park had another even larger project which it had to complete and the workmen were for some months pulled off this project and moved to the other. During construction there was lots of noise and dust and some inconvenience but that was to be expected.

The latest two underground car parks have not been quite as smooth. There were the usual problems but progress has been painfully slow. The construction company was changed some months ago (I think for lack of commitment to the job!) the new company promised to at least have the roof on before the summer 2009 allowing for the road to be rebuilt on top and normal access over the top allowed. However, like many Spanish towns Almunecar has not been immune from the financial crisis and drop in revenues which has left no money for the builders to be paid for the last few months. As you may have expected the builders have been pulled off site and the works are now at a standstill.

This is not good news if you have to go back and forth to Velilla – for instance to one of the many rental apartments along there. The alternative route is up to the N340 and then back into town near the stadium or across Los Pinos if you know the maze of roads up there and then down to the beach again. Neither is particularly satisfactory or convenient. Last year they did fill in the “hole” for the summer allowing cars to drive along the seafront but this year with the builders not being paid and the town hall claiming not to have any money it looks doubtful if this will happen this year – but it does still remain a possibility.

Although this disruption will not help the water-park (AquaTropic) which is just before the large hole in the road, in Velilla and Taramay there is a small selection of stores for groceries which often lose out to the supermarkets in the centre of Almunecar but I would imagine are likely to benefit temporarily until this mess gets sorted out.

Although not ideal this situation does not have to negatively affect your Almuñecar holiday as the sun will still be shining, the sea will be refreshing and the wine and atmosphere will still be intoxicating. Just remember on arrival if you rental apartment is beyond (to the east of) the water park (in Velilla or Taramay) it is best to arrive via the main Velilla entrance at the traffic lights on the N340 just after the Taramay tunnel if driving from Malaga Airport (not through the center of Almunecar). Once at your apartment shop locally and when you want to go into town put on the suncream, sunglasses and walk along the seafront – that way you get a little fitter, come back from your holidays in better shape and help the environment by not using your car! (I used to do this walk five times a week in the summer – I am a fast walker and it would take about twenty minutes. Also put some comfortable shoes on, my partner did the walk with me last year wearing attractive but not very practical shoes…!). Of course the beaches are just opposite the holiday apartments and so you should not be more than a few meters away from the sand and sea.

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