Plans to squeeze Garrucha
A large part of the most touristic enclaves on the Spanish coast were born as a consequence of the boom experienced by a good handful of anonymous towns. A century ago, most of the large urban centers that dot our coasts and attract millions of visitors with their fabulous beaches, they were spaces where there was nothing or where they were occupied by small fishing villages.
THE 'LITTLE SAN SEBASTIAN' THAT HAD CASINOS!
One of these cases could well be **Garrucha, a small village in Almería** whose port was already frenetic in the Middle Ages. In fact, the growth of this small town was hampered by the constant threats of conquerors and pirates who entered through it. Even an earthquake in the 16th century came close to erasing from the map a town that The cities of Mojácar and Vera, who wanted it for their domains, always disputed.
Garrucha achieved independence due to the development of silver mining (it was discovered in 1838 in Cuevas de Almanzora) and lead, which allowed a commercial impulse through the port. Became one 'ahead' of its time and it prospered long before the other coastal cities with the tourist boom of the 1960s.
Garrucha started the 20th century with significant wealth, which not only promoted tourism but also many countries had diplomatic representation there. Garrucha It came to be known as 'Little San Sebastian', with casinos, fancy restaurants and street celebrities.
Escobetas beach
A DAY AT LAS ESCOBETAS BEACH
Las Escobetas beach is the only beach that exists in Garrucha. In fact, in Garrucha there was hardly any beach, since the portion of sand that separated the houses from the sea was so small that only a handful of people could fit.
Currently, it has more than a kilometer of artificial beach with fine sand where you can kick loose and enjoy a day of sun and heat.
The temperature in Garrucha is very pleasant, one of the reasons that makes a day at Escobetas beach perfect. Despite the fact that this year they have not wanted to give it the blue flag, you will find a beach full of amenities and services.
In addition, being so close to the urban core, it costs nothing to communicate with civilization when necessary. It is a quiet beach of calm and clean waters, perfect for lovers of diving being limited by rocks.
The Port and the Malecón are the axes where you must move in Garrucha
STROLL ALONG THE MALECÓN
Without a doubt, one of the things that makes Garrucha fall in love the most is stroll along its promenade, the Paseo del Malecón.
Almost a kilometer and a half under the whisper of the palm trees, the whistling of the sea breeze and its fantastic marble railing. In fact, this same film railing is the one that cries out for that photograph to upload to networks and show off a little.
On the tour of the Malecón different aromas merge: some come directly from the sea while others seduce our senses from the restaurants that dot the promenade.
And behind them, one can suddenly appear in a garden guarded by palm trees, or in front of the town hall, or maybe bump into the monument to the fishermen or the blind poet of Garrucha, Don Antonio Cano.
Views of Garrucha
THE FEAST OF FISH AND RED SHRIMP
Eating in Garrucha is a scandal. Almería was crowned the capital of gastronomy for this 2019 and Garrucha has had a lot to do with it. Carolina Lafita, the former tourism councilor who was in charge of taking Almería to the top, told us: “Almería has a top-class product from the sea, and that makes it a gastronomic bet to be taken into account”.
The lover of grilled or fried fish has a true Eden in Garrucha. Here the fish is eaten grilled and, in some places, grilled. Or in zarzuela with seafood, which is also popular here.
We are in the territory of sea bream, mackerel, sole and a fish as peculiar as the gallant, a fish that, in addition to being hermaphrodite, is reputed to be one of the most expensive in Spain. and without a doubt rice a banda, migas with sardines and gurullos.
and can not miss Garrucha red prawn , the great protagonist of its gastronomy. With a popularity that crosses borders, its intense color and its delicate flavor makes us see the stars at the first bite. Of course, it is a delicacy not suitable for any pocket: its price is very high fundamentally due to its scarcity.
In the Almejero they prepare the Garrucha red prawn on the grill like nobody else
In the almejero _(Explanada Puerto s/n) _, a restaurant located in the port, they prepare grilled Garrucha red prawns like nobody else. Another recommended is the restaurant Scanez _(Paseo del Malecón, 38) _, a family restaurant where they also prepare another of the typical fish of the area: Peter the Rooster
PLANS FOR THE CURIOUS
In Garrucha you can make many plans that go beyond the norm of sunbathing as if we were lizards. One of the most curious things that can be done in Garrucha is visit the Lonja and discover that in the Mediterranean Sea there are varieties of fish that we could never imagine
In addition to living the fish auction is quite a spectacle. There they told us that the Castle of Garrucha (which can be visited) was built to defend the city from pirates, and surely what they wanted was to catch the fantastic fishing that was done in Garrucha. Stories...
Fishing boat in the port of Garrucha
What is a reality is that in Garrucha summer moves to the terrace, ice cream parlor, restaurant and places where you can enjoy a very cool cocktail.
The Port and the Malecón are the axes where you should move if you are looking for atmosphere. Keep one thing in mind: you run the risk of wanting to stay there to live.
Seagulls flying to meet the sun in Garrucha