Sub Tropical Micro Climate

The warmest winters in mainland Europe!

Due to the proximity of the Sierra Nevada, which is the heighest montain range in Spain, the coastal area around Salobrena recieves protection in the winter months from the colder weather which can sweep down across Spain from the north while at the same time these peaks form in effect a wall stopping the warm air that drifts across the sea from Africa from moving further in land. As a result of this we are fortunate to have the warmest winters in mainland europe and never see any frosts!

Many foreign purchasers are only familiar with Spain in the summer and assume the winters are typically very pleasant throughout the country allowing you to forget your winter clothes, this is not the case. Particularly towards Alicante, Barcelona, Majorca the winters can be quite damp and cool which is made worse by the fact that central heating is not common. Whether you are thinking of moving to Spain, having long winter breaks here or purchasing for rental/investment purposes the benefits of the winter climate and the contrast between here and other areas should not be underestimated and is without doubt one of the most common reasons people decide upon this area.

An additional benefit of having the Sierra Nevada so close is the ability to go skiing in the winter. The expanding ski resort located high in the mountains is only an hours drive from the coast meaning that families can have a choice of going skiing for the day or simply relaxing by the pool.

Agriculture - the growth of Little Cuba

Most people in the area have traditionally been employed in agriculture where many tropical fruits such as mango, chirimoya, nispero and papaya can be grown. The area was also an important area for the growth of sugar cane, with this area being known as "Little Cuba" and the last working sugar refinary in Europe can be found in Salobrena. The sub tropical climate which is found just here on the Costa Tropical remains an important influence in the lives of many locals who rely upon it for work.

A visit to the area even at the end of the summer dry season will reveal an area which remains fertile and green as a result of the many underground springs and streams which come from the surrounding mountains and the melting snow. This is in complete contrast to the land towards Almeria where most agriculture is conducted in fields covered in plastic and which although no more than twenty minutes away is an unhealthy brown colour.

Some areas of Spain are staring to introduce restrictions on water use, including fines for filing swimming pools, although we are located in the south of Spain there remains a abundance of surface water which you can see flowing in irrigation channels, local streams through Salobrena and waterfalls along the Salobrena - Granada road which carry water to the coast from the peaks of the Sierra Nevada.