La Rábita of the Costa Tropical in the Granada province is a traditional small fishing village located on the Mediterranean coast of Spain in the Andalucia (Andalus) region, east of the cities of Motril and Almuńécar along the N-340 highway and about a one-hour drive from the cities of Granada and Malaga. La Rábita is easily accessible by main highway.   Getting There La Rábita is near Malaga, Granada, and Almeria, and is readily accessible from the heart of the Costa Tropical, Almuńécar: From Granada, take the major N-323 highway to the coast. Once at the Costa Tropical town of Salobreńa, take a left on the principal Costa Tropical highway N-340 heading east towards Motril and Almeria. In about 30 minutes, there will be exit signs for La Rábita. From Malaga, take the N-340 highway going east towards Almuńécar, Motril, and Almeria. About 35 minutes after passing the Motril (located east of Almuńécar and Salobreńa), look for the exit signs for La Rábita.   Description La Rábita, a small Costa Tropical village of just over 1500 year-round inhabitants, is located on the Mediterranean seashore. La Rábita is named after the Ribat or fortress-monastery, built during the Nasrid period of Arab or Moorish domination. This settlement was an important strategic point of defense along the coast. In the area surrounding the castle the population of La Rábita grew, and in the XVIII century the Watch Towers of Punta Negra, Rabita and Huarea were constructed, with which the marine defense of this town was fortified and extended. Presently, the better conserved tower is the Torre de la Rábita or Tower of the Rábita. A viewing of the summer dusk is very rewarding from this tower. Another attraction in La Rábita is the Parochial Church of Nuestra Seńora de la Natividad de la Virgen, in whose main altar there is a great altarpiece that shows the images of San Isidro, San Antonio, the Virgin of the Sea and San Juan, among others. There is an interesting open-air market held in La Rábita every Friday. In addition there are many interesting fairs, festivals and circuses that visit La Rábita the whole year round. La Rábita is on the easternmost edge of the Costa Tropical and borders on the Almería province, a desert area that offers incredible attractions of its own. Access information on the Almería province for more recommended tourist destinations. If you have any other interesting information, thoughts, commments, photos, articles, etc (on La Rábita or any other subject) that you would like to post on our site, please feel free to email us at any time. Thank You.