Las Alpujarras & Orgiva area guide

Las Alpujarras area is a fascinating region to explore. All of our holiday home accommodation at Cortijo Santa Cruz are located within this beautiful region and staying at any one of them would give you great access to the area and the opportunity to explore it extensively without too much travelling. Casa Mirasol, Cortijo El Nogal, Cortijo Antonio, and Cortijo Mati are all located just above Orgiva, (the capital of Las Alpujarras), so they have easy access to the towns of Orgiva and Lanjaron. Cortijo Clarito is located further into the countryside of Las Alpujarras, towards the white-washed villages of Pampaneira, Bubion, and Capileira, so staying in this holiday accommodation would give the chance to explore the typical countryside of the region. There are many lovely walks and drives within the hills and valleys, and it is a great place to watch birds and animals with many varieties of both. There are also many cultural and historical places to visit here, and whether you want lively city life full of people and fiestas, or quiet sleepy villages with goats strolling down the streets, then this region has it all.

Orgiva

Orgiva is the main town of Las Alpujarras, and is changing gradually from an old-fashioned market town to a well-equipped and more modern place with a good range of shops, banks, restaurants, and with a thriving population. Orgiva’s traditional spirit still survives however, and you can stroll around the quiet backstreets full of whitewashed houses and see old ladies sat outside their houses sewing, and people tending their land. Orgiva is a good base from which to explore the surrounding area, and a holiday location in the countryside near Orgiva offers a good mix of quiet countryside yet also access to the shops, bars, cafes etc necessary for the enjoyment of a holiday. There is a striking twin-spired church in Orgiva dating from the 16th century, which is well worth a visit, and several inviting village squares. Many walks and drives begin in Orgiva, all offering stunning views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains and the town nestling in the valley below. The town’s fiesta is at the end Sept to the beginning of Oct.

Lanjaron

Lanjaron is the next nearest town to Orgiva, and is on the road through to Granada city. It is well worth stopping in this town to explore though, rather than just passing through. There is a famous Spa here, and the town’s water is highly regarded and believed to have healing properties. Its drinking water is in high demand and is bottled and sold in several different countries. A bypass has recently been built to help reduce traffic through the streets, and this ensures the town is nice to wander around and to sit passing the time at pavement cafes. Lanjaron has several lovely streets, tree-lined and with beautifully ornate balconies. There is a nice park here, providing a shady retreat from the midday sun. Lanjaron is also famous for its Ham and Water Festival in the summer, where water is thrown into the streets from balconies above, and a great time is had by all, providing you wear waterproofs! There is an old Arab castle at Lanjaron, sat dramatically on a pinnacle of rock overlooking the town. Lanjaron is also situated on several famous walking routes, including the GR7.

Las Alpujarras

Towards the other end of Las Alpujarras is the village of Trevelez, which is known as one of the highest villages in Spain. It has a very attractive aspect as you approach as it is nestled in a gorge, and there are many walks beginning here to ascend the mountain range behind. Trevelez is also famous for its air-cured ham called Jamon Serrano.
Within Las Alpujarras are many secluded and peaceful whitewashed mountain villages, often seemingly clinging onto the hillside with the houses all charmingly set higgledy-piggledy on top of one another. These are great places to explore and you really feel as if time has stood still here as you wander from one tiny cobbled street to another. Three particularly well-known white villages are Pampaneira, Bubion, and Capileira and these are all set on the side of the lovely Poqueira Gorge. There are many fascinating walks around here, as well as quiet little cafes, and shops selling beautiful rugs and ceramics. A Tourist Information office is also located in Pampaneira and they can provide details about the walks in the area, as well as other useful information.

Granada City

A holiday in Las Alpujarras region would not be complete without a visit to Granada City. This city has so many things to offer, and of such a wide variety. There is the wonderful Alhambra, which can justifiably be described as one of the most unique sights in the world and is surely something which will stay in your mind for many years afterwards. Here there is the dramatic castle overlooking the city below, the peaceful and relaxing gardens full of fountains and the sound of tinkling water, the views to the Sierra Nevada, and the Palace itself with its beautiful architecture and history. Granada city has the historic Albaicin quarter (a World Heritage Site) with its tiny winding streets and flower filled balconies, the huge cathedral, the spectacular Royal Chapel, the Arab Baths, several monasteries and museums, as well as many other gems all waiting to be discovered by the holidaymaker, and of course lots of lovely shops, cafes, restaurants, etc.

The Las Alpujarras region will provide you with a truly memorable and enjoyable holiday, whatever your tastes or interests. And all this is easily accessible with good roads into Las Alpujarras from several directions, 3 airports all offering a variety of airlines and prices (Granada, Malaga, and Almeria), a good bus service, and lots of car hire choices.

Click here for information on how to get here, which airports to use and car hire.

For further information about Las Alpujarras region, and details of some popular walks and drives around the area, please click on the following link www.lasalpujarras.co.uk