Granada Villages

Granada is famous for its Moorish architecture and Alhambra Palace, as well as the nearby Sierra Nevada Ski Resort. The villages surrounding the city are a well kept secret and well worth exploring. We have provided information on the ones of most interest and historic importance.

The area west of Granada was once a crucial frontier between the Moorish kingdom and Christian territory and has some dramatically sited villages standing on rocky crags or hills overlooking the fertile plain. They still bear the stamp of their defensive past with ruined fortifications offering magnificent views over the olive groves and fields of the undulating terrain.

The village in the most spectacular situation is Montefrío where two hilltop churches dominate its skyline: the highest built on the site of a Moorish fortress whose walls can still be seen. Loja del Río stands in the shadow of the Sierra de Loja, split in half by the River Genil that has a number of magnificent waterfalls with Los Infernos de Loja just outside the town. Alhama de Granada is right on the top of a steep-sided ravine and is famous for its thermal spring.

To the southeast of the city of Granada in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, is a chain of over 50 ancient whitewashed villages with distinctive Berber architecture of flat, clay-roofed houses. They are called Las Alpujarras and are surrounded by terraced farmland and lush vegetation which is well watered by the melting snows from the mountains above.

These striking villages include Bubíon, Yegen and Trevélez (the highest village in mainland Spain). There are some great walks linking all these villages, as well as horse riding and cycling. You will be amazed by the wildlife here,and if you decide to explore further then the villages of Capileira, Lanjarón, Órgiva and Válor are also worth visiting.

If you are planning to explore the area outside of the city centre and play some golf or go to some of the more out of the way beaches then you might consider hiring a car. There are a number of car hire firms based at Granada Airport who will be pleased to have a vehicle awaiting your arrival. This also cuts down on transfer costs for you and your family.

We also provide information on sporting and leisure amenities in Granada including a Granada Area Guide which includes the best Granada Shops, Granada Markets, Golf Courses in Granada, the beautiful Villages of Granada, recommended Granada Restaurants and Granada Local Attractions.