La Herradura is a small, lovely village located on the Tropical Coast of Granada. What was once a fishing village is now a beautiful quaint Spanish Village, with many Spanish restaurants offering a wide variety of very good food, and many small friendly bars.  This beautiful village is nestling in the foothills of the mountains and over looks its large bay with two large promontories on either end of the bay. To the east of La Herradura is Punta de La Mona which is a very exclusive urbanisation and its property is some of the most expensive property for sale in Spain let alone the Costa Tropical.

Allegedly Punta de La Mona property 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. 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 which also has exclusive property for sale. 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 or to the Sierra Nevada. There is some property for sale in Cerro Gordo with all round views, but the prices are as stunning as the views!

La Herradura also has a 200 berth Marina on the eastern side of Punta de La Mona called Marina Del Este. Along with moorings there are shops, restaurants, galleries and property for sale.

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. The horseshoe bay and rising rock formations provide excellent thermals and these chaps 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 no high school in La Herradura but there is 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. It also has an excellent language school.

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 wonderful place to spend time.