Culturally significant landscapes in Granada

Understand

The province of Granada is located in south-east Andalusia and spans 12,635 km². In the south, it has a short coastline on the Mediterranean, becoming wider in the centre and then narrower and narrower in the north-east, where it borders the autonomous regions of Murcia and Castilla-La Mancha in Albacete. In the south, its coast is characterized by rugged cliffs and small coves. An ever-present sight is Sierra Nevada, a geographical landmark that has an impact on many of the province’s landscapes. To the west of the historic city of Granada, the vast plain that is the Vega de Granada is marked by less contrast, crossed by the Genial River and its immense network of tributaries, making it extremely fertile. To the north-east is the Hoya de Guadix, a large plain that gives way to the equally vast Hoya de Baza. This is the third largest area of plains and hills in the province, and is surrounded by mountain ranges such as Sierra de Orce to the east as well as Sierra de Castril and Sierra de La Sagra to the north. Here, some of the most remote remains of human existence are to be found, as seen through archaeological sites such as in Orce as well as places like the Gor valley, where well-preserved ruins combine with nature to give rise to landscapes of stunning beauty. Also to be found are numerous castles and other structures built during the Middle Ages to defend the Kingdom of Granada, as well as small settlements dating back to the Al-Andalus period, particularly in La Alpujarra. These fertile plains have traditionally been used for farming, as well as the sides of valleys, where terraces were built. The latter can be seen on the slopes of the Poqueira and Río Verde valleys. Traditional mining, for its part, carried out over a large part of the province’s mountainous regions, has left obvious marks on places such as Busquístar and Lújar. These historic activities now coexist with others that drive the province’s economy. The status of the provincial capital as a pre-eminent university city has historically resulted in the interior of the province being characterised by great dynamism. This led to expansion into the nearby area (albeit it often short-lived), as w

Prepare

This route has been designed to be done in a private vehicle. Most accommodation (which caters for all budgets) is to be found in the capital and on the coast, known as Costa Tropical due to its unique subtropical climate. During the ski season, there is also a selection of hotels at the Sierra Nevada ski resort. Due to its unique terrain, the province has a varied climate. Particularly in winter, in some places it might be warm and sunny, whilst in others it may be cold and raining. As such, it’s important you bring the appropriate clothes and check the weather beforehand. During the rest of the year, the weather tends to be hot, although not as hot as in other parts of Spain. Remember to use sun cream and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Some visitors may like to combine skiing followed by a dip in the Mediterranean in the same day, weather permitting of course.

Get in

The route begins in Granada, the capital of the province. The city can be reached by car A-92 , east–west, and A-44 , north–south; train to Granada Train Station there are high-speed trains to other parts of Spain as well as regional trains to Almería; and flights to Federico García Lorca Granada Airport. From Granada, you can begin the route by stopping at the landscape of Montefrío.

Drive

1 Paisaje de Montefrío

Route: Granada, GR-43 , N-336 , A-335 , 1 Montefrío panoramic viewpoint, Montefrío, (55 km (34 mi), 1 hour 8 minutes) The road from Granada to Montefrío passes through part of the plains of the River Genil, leaving the Sierra de Parapanda to the north, before reaching another mountainous area, where some peaks are more than 900 m (3,000 ft) high. It is here, from the south, that you’ll get your first glimpse of Montefrío. Built on a rocky formation, the western side rises slowly, dotted with whitewashed houses, whilst the bare eastern-side falls sharply into the surrounding hills and olive groves. Montefrío began life during the Al-Andalus era, its location making it ideal as a defensive outpost. Today, its whitewashed houses and other buildings, perched on the western face of the rock, exist in complete harmony with nature, creating a truly unique landscape. The Nasrid castle and the church of la Villa, which watch over the town, are perhaps its two most important landmarks. Both offer spectacular views of the surrounding olive groves and distant mountains. In the lower part of the town, facing these two landmarks, the Iglesia de la Encarnación church, with its slender steeple and vast dome, provides a stunning view and is witness to another important period that shaped Montefrío’s landscape – its occupation by the Crown of Castile in 1486. Nearby sites of interest include:

1 Castle of the Villa 2 Montefrío Old town 3 Church of la Encarnación 4 Tower of the Rings 5 Tower of las Cabrerizas 6 Tower of el Cortijuelo 7 Tower of el Espinar 8 Tower of the Guzmanes 9 Tower of el Hachuelo 10 Tower of the Sun 11 Tower Quebrada

3 The milling landscape of Tajos de Alhama

Montefrío, A-335 , A-402 , 2 Tajos de Alhama Natural Viewpoint, (50.6 km (31.4 mi), 54 minutes) As you leave Montefrío, you’ll descend the southern side of Sierra de Parapanda. You’ll notice how sharp mountains and valleys begin to give way to gentler terrain similar to the hills and plains around the river Genil. As the Genil cuts right across your path, you have to take a road along one of its tributaries, the river Alhama. During this second stage of the route, the l

Safety

The villages, towns and cities included on the route are safe and have low levels of crime. However, the usual safety precautions should be taken, such as locking your car and keeping your eye on your rucksack and other personal belongings. As in the rest of Spain, the Guardia Civil is responsible for policing the countryside, although larger built-up areas may have their own municipal police force. On many parts of the route, there are no areas of shade. Use sun cream and a hat when the weather is hot. Many locations are not fully accessible and may require outdoor wear and walking boots. Some areas that are dry for the most part of the year may be prone to sudden flooding as a result of rainfall. Check the weather beforehand and act quickly in the event of unexpected rain.

Emergencies-112, toll-free: 112. Guardia Civil, ☏ 062.

Stay healthy The hospitals nearest to the route are:

1 Baza hospital (Ctra. de Murcia, Km. 1,6, Baza), ☏ +34 958-03-13-92. 2 High resolution hospital of Guadix (Mariana Pineda, S/N, Guadix), ☏ +34 958-69-91-53. 3 Virgen de Las Nieves University General Hospital (Av. de Las Fuerzas Armadas, 2, Granada), ☏ +34 958-02-00-00. 4 Santa Ana hospital (Av. Enrique Martín Cuevas, S/N, Motril), ☏ +34 958-03-82-00. 5 High resolution hospital of Loja (Avda. Tierno Galván, S/N, Loja), ☏ +34 958-33-81-00.

Go next

Other places of interest in the province of Granada include:

1 Granada city. the provincial capital (updated Dec 2023) 2 The Alhambra (Calle Real de la Alhambra S/N, 18009 Granada), ☏ +34 958-02-79-71. Open daily 08:30-18:00. A Moorish palace and fortress complex. 3 Almuñécar. a city on Granada’s Costa Tropical. 4 Sierra Nevada. mountain range, national park and ski resort (updated Dec 2023) 5 La Alpujarra. picturesque region in the provinces of Almería and Granada