This car boot sale, or “rastrillo” takes place on the first Saturday of every month and is held on the site of the Friday Market, marked by a mini Arc de Triomphe (actually a monument to Blas Infante). Now that another stretch of the coastal motorway has opened the drive over from Nerja only takes 15 minutes.

It’s “A Must” because of the huge variety found here. Started 10 years ago by the Asociacion Espanola Contra el Cancer with just 40 stalls, it now has 250 stalls with potential sellers being turned away every month due to lack of space.
People come from all over the area to buy and sell here, and they’re from all different walks of life and countries, from Spanish children raising pocket money, through middle class ex-pats selling things from home which have no use here, to hippies from up in the hills selling hand made goods and home grown produce to supplement their income.

As you can imagine, with the sellers coming from such varied backgrounds, you can buy almost anything here, coming from almost any country under the sun. Whether you’re looking for organically grown fruit and vegetables, bed covers from India, DIY tools, or a flamenco dress, this is where you’ll find it.

If you’re not a shopper, it’s worth going along just to soak up the atmosphere, which is almost carnival like. You’ll hear a myriad of languages being spoken, listen to pipe music from South America, or accordions from Northeren Europe, and be dazzled by the colours on display. The site is shaded by large trees dappled by the sun and there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area when you feel in need of a well deserved rest.
However, the best thing of all about this market is the reason for its being. It’s been in existence now for 10 years, is run by the Spanish Association Against Cancer, and all the money raised here is used in the fight against cancer. 10 years ago cancer was almost a taboo word as it engendered such fear, but now, thanks to the work of the association, nobody has to feel afraid to mention the awful “c” word.

In 2006 this market raised 25,000 euros which allowed the association to finance a mobile mammogram unit which now tours the villages of the province of Granada. The money raised here is also used to fund a palliative care unit which employs 2 doctors, 2 nurses and a psychiatrist and is based in the nearby town of Motril. This team visits cancer patients in their homes, providing personal care, at no cost to the patient. The importance of this service is immeasurable, and is all thanks to the efforts of the Almunecar volunteers and their car boot sale.
To find the car boot sale is extremely easy. When approaching Almunecar form the west you’ll leave the motorway above La Herradura. Carry on travelling west on the N340 coast road until you reach Almunecar. Don’t take the first exit though, drive straight on through the tropical fruit trees until you see the arch.

Carry on again, passing the market on your right and at the end of the market turn right at the traffic lights. There is parking on your right, opposite the Sports Stadium, but, if this is full carry on to the end of the road, turn left, and there is a signed car park on your right. If you arrive before 10am you’ll have a much better chance of parking.
Enjoy the market at a leisurely pace, sample the tapas in the local bars, and support a very important cause at the same time. What could be more worthwhile?