The Alpujarras: A Centre for What You Want
The Alpajurras are an ideal location for those who just want to take it easy by the pool or on the beach whilst offering numerous opportunities for those who want to be slightly more energetic.
El Higueral has a large swimming pool, pool side terrace and shaded olive tree areas where you can relax, read a book, or just take in the stunning views, without going anywhere. With two acres of grounds there is the option of stretching your legs among our olive tree terraces.
The Alpujarras and Sierra Nevadas have the largest mountains on the Iberian Peninsula. With stunning countryside the Alpujarras offer plenty of designated and informal walks or the opportunity to take a car ride to the numerous white mountain villages famous for their hams, woollen carpets, honey and pottery. There are also 24 wineries in the Western Alpujarras including La Bodega Cuatro Vientos, the largest and the Juan Reyes Estate, one of the highest; both offer tours, tasting and restaurant facilities.
Granada is less than an hour away. Most famous for the Alhambra Palace, a World Heritage site. This fantastic complex of 14th century Moorish buildings, gardens and water features is a must to visit. Ensure you book in advance as queues for tickets on the day can be extremely long. Sensible shoes, light clothes and a bottle of water are all essential and don’t forget to take your camera. In winter the ski slopes of the Sierra Nevadas next to Granada offer an alternative leisure pursuit not often linked with Spain. Please note there are numerous commercial websites selling tickets/tours for the Alhambra Palace although the official Alhambra website provides you with plenty of information and downloadable brochures/maps as well as access on how to purchase tickets.
Orgiva is a small market town known as the Capital of the Western Alpujarras. It has several small supermarkets, various banks with cash machines, cafes and a variety of bars and restaurants. Visit the local market in the upper town on a Thursday. This is a traditional fruit, vegetable and clothing market which now attracts newer stalls offering leather goods, organic produce, hand made jewellery and other locally made goods.
The Costa Tropical is about half an hour’s drive away. There are numerous beaches and the coastal town of Motril offers the closest large supermarkets/hypermarkets which can be reached easily from the main coast road. This is the largest commercial town on the Costa Tropical and its centre, slightly inland, has a good range of shops. The Motril coastal area is now being developed but not yet anywhere near the likes of Malaga and its immediate resorts. Playa Granada beach is slightly further out of Motril but the easiest to reach for those coming from Orgiva. This is usually quiet location mainly used by the Spanish.
Sports of all categories is catered for within the region. There is a 9 hole golf course with practice range near Motril with the club house located right on the Playa Granada beach and 18 hole courses near Granada. Cycles and quad bike hire is available in Orgiva with opportunities to go on off-road group rides. Horse riding lessons and treks are available just a short walk from Orgiva town centre through Pegasus Riding Centre. Most popular though is walking, hiking and trekking with numerous designated routes from easy to difficult being on offer. Mulhacen is the highest mountain in Spain so offers experienced walkers/climbers a new challenge.
Andalucía offers a wide range of attractions. In the immediate vicinity are the spa at Lanjaron, the spectacular caves at Nerja (Cueva de Nerja), Mini-Hollywood near Almeria where some of the greatest ‘spaghetti westerns’ were made, and of course the vast Sierra Nevada National Park where the scenery changes with each season. Slightly further afield perhaps for a day trip or night away are places such as Gibraltar, Seville, Cadiz and Cordoba.
Traditional Spain:
Fiestas are a regular feature across the region and range from the small ones of each area of a small town through to the large national fiestas such as Semana Santa (Easter). Fireworks, wearing of traditional dresses, serving local foods and outdoor bars are all regular features of most fiestas.
Flamenco has its home in Andalucia, so ensure you see this genuine Spanish art consisting of song, dance and guitar playing.
Paella is a world famous rice based dish and most restaurants will offer it. Variations include solely seafood, solely meat or mixed.
Sardines are caught locally off the coast with the beach restaurants grilling them in sand filled small wooden boats. Great value for money.
Tapas is a standard accompaniment to an alcoholic drink from lunchtime onwards – a good tradition to be preserved and enjoyed. Whilst you cannot generally choose what you receive, this snack is usually of local produce and if you have a second drink the second tapas is normally different to the first.
Tinto de Verano is a good alternative to Sangria in the summer – a long cool refreshing mix of red wine, Martini Rosso and lemonade.