Alpujarras: mountain villages and hiking south of the Sierra Nevada

In short: The Alpujarras are the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada: deep valleys, white villages with flat roofs and old irrigation channels. For a first visit, head to the Poqueira valley with Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira. It works as a day trip from Granada, but two days are nicer.

Which villages should you see?

The road from Granada comes in from the west and climbs higher village by village. The towns lie along the way in this order.

• Lanjarón: the spa town at the entrance to the Alpujarras, known for its mineral water.
• Órgiva: the small market town in the valley and the last place with large supermarkets and a petrol station.
• Pampaneira: the lowest of the three villages in the Poqueira valley, with shops selling colourful woven rugs (Jarapas) and a stream running down the middle of the lane.
• Bubión: the quietest of the three, with wide views down the valley.
• Capileira: the highest village in the valley and the best starting point for hikes.
• Trevélez: one of the highest villages in Spain, famous for its air-dried ham.

Typical of all of them are the flat roofs covered with grey clay, the tall chimneys with little hats and the Tinaos, covered passageways between the houses.

Which hikes are worthwhile?

The paths are waymarked and start right in the villages. These three are enough to get started.

• Circular walk through the Poqueira valley: connects Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira via old mule tracks.
• From Capileira up the valley to La Cebadilla: to an abandoned workers’ settlement by the river, with views of the peaks.
• Stages of the long-distance trails GR-7 and Sulayr (GR-240): both cross the Alpujarras and can be walked as day stages from village to village.

The usual routes up the Mulhacén also start from Capileira. At 3,479 metres it is the highest mountain on the Spanish mainland. In summer, a national park bus drives part of the way up the track and shortens the ascent. Ask about seats and times at the information office in Capileira. More about the mountains in Sierra Nevada.

How do you get to the Alpujarras?

By car, you take the A-44 motorway from Granada towards the coast and turn off to Lanjarón. From Órgiva, the road becomes narrow and winding. In the villages, you park at the entrance to the town, as the lanes are too narrow for cars.

Without a car, buses run from Granada via Lanjarón and Órgiva to the Poqueira valley and on to Trevélez. There are only a few connections a day. Timetables and prices are available from ALSA.

What do you eat here?

The cuisine is mountain cooking. Every menu has the Plato Alpujarreño: potatoes with peppers and onions, fried egg, ham, black pudding and chorizo on one plate.

Add to that the Jamón de Trevélez, which you can buy directly in the village’s drying halls, and the simple country wine Vino Costa. What Granada itself has to offer is covered in Tapas in Granada.

When is the best time?

In spring, the almond and cherry trees blossom and the meltwater fills the channels. In autumn, the chestnuts and poplars change colour. Summer is hot for hiking in the valleys, but the evenings are cooler than in Granada, where, according to AEMET (normal values 1981 to 2010), the average maximum in July is 34.8 degrees.

What can you combine the trip with?

From Órgiva you are quickly at the sea: the Costa Tropical is just one valley further. More ideas in Day trips from Granada.

For decades, many newcomers from all over Europe have lived in the Alpujarras. Whether life in a mountain village suits you, or the city suits you better, is shown in the comparison under Where in Spain?.

Frequently asked questions

As of October 2026. Opening hours, prices and entry rules change. Check them on the official websites before your visit.

Cover image: Rosa-Maria Rinkl · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0