Allegedly Punta de La Mona property for sale is the the sixth most expensive in Spain !! In fact the prime minister of Spain Snr Zapatero has been known to holiday right here in La Herradura and the Irish president visited the area summer 2010. Many business men from Granada and Madrid snap up the property for sale in La Herradura for their summer
residences as the climate here in summer is far more agreeable than either Granada or Madrid, with average summer temperatures throughout the Costa Tropical of 30 degrees compared to 42 degrees in Madrid. In fact I know Spanish families that split up for the summer with wives and children spending 3 months in the Costa Tropical, whilst the husband works and travels down at the weekend!!
The other end of La Herradura bay is Cerro Gordo. Property for sale in Cerro Gordo is exclusive as it really only occupies a ridge on the top of the mountain. Cerro Gordo is beautiful as it forms part of a large nature reserve so the property density is low, lots of open space and views either out to the Mediterranean, Salobrena and Almunecar to the east , Nerja and Torrox to the west or to the Sierra Nevadas to the north. The sunsets are spectacular. There is some property for sale in Cerro Gordo with all round 360º views, but the prices are as stunning as the views between 1 to 2 million euros!
La Herradura also has a Marina on the eastern side of Punta de La Mona called Marina Del Este. Along with 400 moorings Marina del Este has shops, restaurants, art galleries and there are good value property for sale in Marina del Este.
The marina has undergone a series of structural stabilisation works to some of the areas directly above the Marina del Este. The first phase of the work was to provide an extensive drain network under the road system to allow subterranean water to drain away. This was completed in early 2012. The Junta de Andalucia did the work and will monitor the results over the next two winters. If this does not resolve the subsidence issue then the Junta de Andalucia will proceed the next phase which will be a series of micro piles. These reinforced concrete piles will effectively anchor the constructed areas to the firm bedrock found between 20 to 40m below ground. The good news is that the Junta de Andalucia are paying for this work as they were responcible for creating the Marina. In creating the Marina they cut away the foot of the mountain and did not make sufficient structural provision against movement. We have more details if required.
One urbanisation that has not been affected at all by the movement is the Marina Playa urbanisation. It is a large block of luxury apartments situated behind Marina Playa. Just a short stroll onto the beach, to the Marina Playa chiringuito or a further 3 minutes and you are in the Marine Del Este. This penthouse apartment property for sale in Marina Playa, La Herradura, Almunecar is a great example of the Bargains to be had. This property includes a mooring and a boat!
The marina del Este has suffered in the past due to a rapid building boom around the marina creating an over supply of houses for sale. That has now cleared through the system and with the construction of the first 7 star hotel in Europe ( by world class resort experts Banyan Tree Resorts) over looking the marina along with 400 luxury duplex apartments, property for sale in both the marina del Este and Punta de la Mona are set to fly.
Sporting activities in La Herradura are topped by the scuba diving and paragliding/parapenting. The scuba conditions are fantastic because of the National Marine Reserve from Cerro Gordo westwards, which protects all the marine life, plant life and reefs. This has given rise to La Herradura having a wide variety of mature indigenous sea life. Cerro Gordo and Punta de La Mona are the best places in Spain to scuba. Surfing is very popular in La Herradura bay in the winter when surf is up. The horseshoe bay and rising rock formations provide excellent thermals and these para-gliders can stay up there all day. At times I have counted over 40 fliers in the skies over Punta de La Mona , La Herradura at the same time.
La Herradura has a larger expatriate population (by %) than Almunecar or Salobrena but still retains its Spanish charm. There are plenty of bars and restaurants along the main beach road and 3 or 4 actually on the beach (chiringuito´s). There is a high school in La Herradura and a a primary school, Las Gaviotas which is well used to having foreign children. This school comprises of about 35% foreign students, compared to about 5% in the other schools in Almunecar and Salobrena. La Herradura also has a newly opened health centre. There are also at least two excellent language schools.
Life in La Herradura is somewhat laid back, this is reflected in the number of parties and celebrations that take place, such as Las Cruces de Mayo which is held the first weekend in May, they have wonderful floral decorations and dancing in the streets. Later in early summer they have The Festival of the Virgin- you can take part or watch the procession of boats on the Mediterranean, with lots of fireworks, a really great event. There are many more fiestas throughout the year. A truly wonderful place to spend time. Only five minutes from the A7 motorway and 50 minutes from Malaga airport La Herradura is still a place to park on the beach, pop into a chiringuito and grab yourself a cool beer and free tapas and watch the world go by.
