Five great things to do in the Alpujarras, Granada

The Alpujarras are a beautiful region of mountains that extend down towards the Mediterranean in the Granada region of Andalucía. A lot of the area is now protected as a national park. Much of the Alpujarras has not changed in centuries; there are still white-washed villages and winding scenic roads with breathtaking views.  You can see intricate and unobtrusive systems of small canals (acequias) running everywhere, which were first built by the Romans and greatly improved by the Moors who occupied southern Spain for several centuries. This canal network keeps the land beautifully irrigated even after months of little rain.

If you are thinking about visiting this stunning region of Andlaucia, take a look at five things to do in the Alpujarras.

Ski

The Sierra Nevada is capped with snow from October until about June. You can travel up from the City of Granada easily and ski on the dedicated pistes.  The great thing about skiing at the Sierra Nevada is that you can be in the mountains in the morning, and sunbathing on the beach in the afternoon.

Take a drive 

The road that winds its way from Lanjarón along the southern slopes of the Alpujarras is truly stunning. Head for the three whitewashed villages of villages of Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira, all of which invite you to explore their narrow streets. You can purchase local wine, cheese, carpets and artesian products in these traditional Andalusian villages.

Orgiva is a village that in recent times has become a home for many travelling hippies, who have their own little kingdom on a nearby hillside. Every year there is a big fiesta. The author of the best-selling book “Driving Over Lemons”, Chris Stewart lives in this area and based his book on his adventures around this district.

The spa town of Lanjaron has relaxing spa baths, and Trevelez, is the highest village in Spain and produces excellent cured hams.

Visit Granada 

The city of Granada is the home of the world famous Alhambra Palace.  So popular is the Alhambra that you need to book entrance tickets well in advance. Almost as interesting is the adjacent hill with its old quarters “The Albaicin”. Once a place of gypsies, The Albaicin has in recent years taken on a much more cosmopolitan vibe. It is an ideal place to look over the palace and the city, and listen to street musicians strumming flamenco.

One of the simplest pleasures of Granada is meandering down the tightly packed lanes of open fronted shops, selling bright colourful Arabic style goods, heading down to the Cathedral, which is in the centre of town.

Enjoy tapas

Tapas is basically a free small dish of food with every beer you buy. This tradition is dying out in most of Spain, or they are charging you for it, but in the Granada province you can still find village bars that will offer you a free dish with each beer you buy. By the end of the evening you don’t need to purchase a meal!

Go for a walk

With a good walkers’ guidebook, in the Alpujarras you can walk for hours in beautiful scenery and not worry that you are on private land. Take deep breaths of clean air and leave all the noise of the city behind you.