Right in the heart of Almuñécar sits a ship. Not in the harbour, but on dry land, complete with hull, bridge, masts and lifeboats on the roof. Casa Barco is one of the town's most photographed buildings – and a private home with a touching story.
A sailor who wanted to stay by the sea
The house was built in the early 1970s by José María Pérez Ruiz – "Pepe" – a chief engineer in the Spanish merchant navy. When he retired ashore, he didn't want to leave life at sea behind. So he built his home in the shape of a ship.
Built from real ships
The house itself is constructed of concrete and brick, but almost everything that makes it look like a vessel comes from scrapped ships: portholes, masts, ship's wheels and lifeboats. The facade stretches around 75 metres like a long ship's hull along the street. Inside, the rooms feel almost like miniature maritime museums.
A fresh coat of paint in 2026
Pepe has passed away, but his family continues to take care of the house. In the summer of 2026, the facade received a thorough repainting and restoration, keeping the ship looking just as he built it.
Casa Barco is a private home. Please admire it from the street – and respect the family's privacy.
How to find it
The house is located on Avenida del Mediterráneo, just a few steps from Playa de San Cristóbal heading towards Cotobro. From Playa Tropical, it makes for a delightful stroll along the beach through town.
