Garrucha

Garrucha is a long coastal town situated in the province of Almeria, with a well-sized and elegant port. Garrucha is home to many bars & restaurants which are famous for their gambas rojas de Garrucha (some of the most famous red prawns in the world). Measuring just over 8km², Garrucha attracts thousands of visitors every year.

Where is garrucha?

Garrucha is a municipality in the province of Almería, in the autonomous community of Andalucía, Spain.

Garrucha is a pretty fishing town, the most important for this activity on all the eastern coast of Almeria. The town is situated a little further north than the halfway point on the Levante coastline between Mojacar and Vera, in an ideal spot for enjoying its marvellous beaches, its tourist facilities and its excellent fish.

“Ex mari orta’, risen up from the sea, is the motto on the towns shield. According to a Castilian chronicle of 1327, as a result of a raid by troops in the Kingdom of Granada, there came to exist a little village on the coast called Almoraic, a league from Mojacar and in the direction of Vera. This is perhaps the first historical reference to this village.

There are a couple of ways to get to Garrucha from the A-7/E-15. Travelling from Almería we’ll want to take exit number 709 towards Los Gallardos. Travel through Los Gallardos and jump on the A-370 straight to Garrucha. If you’re travelling from Murcia and wish to take another route we can take the exit 695 to Vera. Jump on the N-340a until you hit a roundabout signed posted for Garrucha via the A-352. At the end of this road you’ll come to a large roundabout with a huge fountain in the center. Taking the 4th exit you’ll stay on the A-352 which turns into a dual carriageway all the way down to Vera Playa. The dual carriageway ends at a roundabout and here you have 2 options. Going straight ahead and following this road will bring you straight to the center of Garrucha. Turning right on this roundabout will bring you to another 3 entrances into Garrucha depending on where you want to go.

Airport Travel Times:

Almeria Airport – 50 minutes

Murcia Airport – 1 hour and 30 minutes

Alicante Airport – 2 hours and 10 minutes

For airport transport check out www.exclusiveairportshuttles.co.uk

What amenities can i find in garrucha?

In Garrucha there is an array of shops available for all your daily needs plus various types of bars and restaurants from pizzerias to tapas bars. Due to the fishing port you won’t find a better place for the freshest fish and seafood. You’ll also find in Garrucha local butchers, bakeries, fishmongers, hairdressers, insurance offices, a post office, pharmacy, several bank branches and supermarkets including Mercadona and Lidl.

During the summer months a night time market appears on the promenade with some kids attractions too.

what schools are available in Garrucha?

In Garrucha you’ll find all levels of education including nursery, infant, primary and secondary.

what day is the market held in Garrucha?

Garruche holds a street market every Friday morning which is situated on the street “Calle Joaquin Escobar”. The easiest way to get here is parking in the port parking area which is pay and display during August so make sure you get your ticket at one of the meters”. From here take a set of stairs up to the promenade and then travel 2 streets into Garrucha with the sea behind you.

when do the local "fiestas" take place in Garrucha?

Garrucha holds several festivals or “fiestas” over the course of the year.

Patron Festival

The most important of these is the fiesta dedicated to Saint Joachim (San Joaquin) who is the patron of the town. The Saints day is celebrated every year around the middle of August and will usually take place over the course of a week.

Romeria “Brotherhood of Rocio”

The romeria is a pilgramge dedicated to the Virgen Rocio and is held on the 3rd weekend of October. In recent years, the Rocío de Garrucha Brotherhood has experienced a great growth in members, since more and more devotees of this Virgin are growing.

Carnival

This annual event takes place during the month of February though the actual date changes each year.

La Vieja

This odd fiesta starts exactly 20 days before ash Wednesday. During this festival, which has religious origins, a coloured paper doll is dress as an old lady and filled with sweets and trinkets. The doll is then propped up with some canes in the shape of a cross and kids then throw stones until it breaks.

Holy Week

Holy Week in Garrucha stands out for the simplicity of its processions. Today there are two brotherhoods.

It is worth noting the typical gastronomy of Garrucha Holy Week: cod buns, rice pudding, pestiños and cod stew.

Cruces de Mayo

Coinciding with the last weekend of April and the first days of May, the two Holy Week brotherhoods of Garrucha, and the Brotherhood of the Virgen del Rocío de Garrucha, each on their own accord, organize booths to offer food, drink, music and entertainment for the young.

Night of San Juan

On June 23, as in all the towns on the Almerian coast, in Garrucha the night of San Juan is celebrated with special interest.

That night all the locals go down to the beach and bonfires are lit at twelve o’clock, continuing the party until the early hours of the morning.

Music groups and booths animate the night of San Juan, which has become a benchmark in the region.

Virgen del Carmen

On July 16, the festival is celebrated in honor of the Virgen del Carmen, patron saint of the town.

The fishing port receives crowds of people who come to eat and drink. The roasted sardines that are made in the market for all those who attend are typical. In the middle of the afternoon, the procession of the Virgin takes place, which is carried by costaleros from the town and ends in the port itself, where the marine procession begins by boat. When the Virgin returns to the mainland, a mass is held in the market, ending the event, although the party continues until the early hours of the morning.