Caleta De Velez - The Little Fishing Village

Caleta de Velez more than Marina

Caleta de Velez is the small fishing port and marina that is located by the side of its bigger, more bustling neighbour, Torre Del Mar. The wonderful pedestrian promenade stretches from Torre all the way to Caleta. It’s a delightful stroll first thing in the morning with the sun rising or join the many Spanish families who walk the promenade in the cool of the evening.

Whenever you decide to go, Caleta de Velez has much to offer the visitor and the fact that it’s a working port means the fish restaurants here are exceptional.

Relaxing Port Side

Every morning, the little boats bring in their fresh catch, which is eagerly snapped up by the myriad of local restaurants. By the afternoon, the nets are stretched across the boat yards, drying in the hot sun.

It’s easy to see why Caleta de Velez is such a productive port. Look into the clear waters of the marina and you will see shoals of fish of varying sizes, swimming between the boats. It’s a great place to admire the different craft and possibly dream of owning one. If that seems a little fanciful, then you could always opt for a boat trip.

If you prefer your feet firmly on the ground, then a great place to enjoy a coffee, lunch or dinner is El Camarote. The terrace overlooks the marina and has the benefit of excellent, free live entertainment every Saturday afternoon in the summer season and beyond. From blues to rock to jazz, there’s no better way to relax on a Saturday afternoon and enjoy the freshly made huge pans of paella: well worth the wait! In the week, you can chill to live Bosa Nova.

In fact, you’d be hard pushed not to enjoy the seafood at any of the restaurants here. Sardines, anchovies, squid, octopus, red bream and mackerel are all caught in the clean waters here and are simply delicious. El Bodegon is a local legend in terms of high quality and low prices. Huge family gatherings celebrate with delicious platters for sharing. It’s lively and noisy but hugely entertaining and satisfying. https://www.elbodegoncaleta.com/

Relax with a drink in the only port side bar, 'El Camerote'. Every Saturday morning there is fantastic live music

Caleta de Velez Beyond The Port

Caleta de Velez is more than just a port. The street that runs parallel is bustling with local shops, banks and a couple of supermarkets. On a Saturday morning from 10am until 2pm, there’s a lively market selling everything. It’s a great place to bag a bargain of fresh local fruit and vegetables, clothes or bedding. In the summer, it’s a tourist draw with stalls catering for them with sunglasses and beach towels.

There’s a great range of bars and cafes here too where you can admire your bargains with a drink and tapas. Take the time to explore the world beyond the port and you won’t be disappointed.

If you’re feeling a bit more energetic then perhaps a trip to Baviera golf course is for you. One of the few golf courses east of Malaga, in Axarquía, it has an amazing location with spectacular views of the sea. https://bavieragolf.com/

Book a boat trip, you will find many moored up at Caleta de Velez Port.

Fiesta Time!

July 16th is a significant date for Caleta de Velez. It’s the celebration of the Virgen Del Carmen, the protector of seamen and fishermen and clearly important to the port based town. In the evening, the statue of the Virgin is carried to the sea and placed on a brightly lit boat for a night sail, along with lots of other boats. She is then returned to the shore for another procession, often with music and fireworks. It’s a beautiful fiesta that occurs across the coastal towns of Spain.

Caleta de Velez is well worth a trip, or even a stay. It has a totally relaxed vibe, exceptional fish restaurants, tapas bars and the opportunity to take a trip on the clear blue Mediterranean Sea.