Granada villages

The province of Granada is dominated by the Sierra Nevada. When you've exhausted the magnificent city of Granada there are countless other possibilities, perhaps most enticing, the hikes of the Sierra Nevada's lower southern slopes, known as Las Alpujarras.

The Sierras are snowcapped for much of the year and offer skiing from November until late May. During the rest of the year the Sierra Nevada nature park offers the walker endless opportunities. The desolate upper slopes of Mt. Mulhacen at an altitude of well over 3000m give the impression of being in a lunar landscape.

The Alpujarras is scored by long, sheltered valleys and occasional gorges, all good hiking territory if you're prepared to strike off into the hills with a tent. There are some fifty or so beatiful white villages scattered around here, many of them worth a visit.

Although not nearly so well known for its coastline as its neighbouring province, Málaga, Granada is similarly picturesque beachside. The Costa Tropical has sandy beaches and hidden coves. The town of Almuñecar, becoming increasingly popular with tourists.

La Herradura is pretty and unspoilt while nearby in a protected cove is the impressive Marina del Este yacht harbour. Water sports and scuba diving are popular here, thanks to the variety of sea life and clarity of the water.

The white village of Salobreña is worth a visit. Here you will be torn between visiting the moorish castle and the beach. The sight of sugar cane plantations and Avocado, confirm the the origin of the name Costa Tropical

For a completely different atmosphere inland, it would be hard to beat Guadix, a crumbling old Moorish town with a vast and extraordinary cave suburb. This, the Barrio Santiago which still houses some 10,000 people, and it is the main reason for stopping off.

There are also cave dwellings in the nearby village of Fuentenueva, which have been cleverly refurbished for holiday accommodation. This village is also noted for its historic buildings, including the 11th century Alcaza of the Seven Towers.

Granada province