DÍLAR
Dílar is a charming village in the province of Granada, found at an altitude of almost 900m in the Sierra Nevada National Park. It has a population of approximately 2,135 (2021 census).
HISTORY
Dílar’s history predates the arrival of the Arabs in the Iberian Peninsula. In 1850, a hunter discovered an important prehistoric dolmen (a type of single-chamber megalithic tomb) surrounded by a cromlech (a stone circle) of tall stones, near the Casa Rural. More>
HOTELS IN DÌLAR
Book Hotels in Dilar
THINGS TO SEE
Casa Palacio del Marqués de Dílar
The palace was built on the site of a medieval castle and later restored in the 19th century. More>
Ermita de la Virgen de las Nieves
The Ermita de la Virgen de las Nieves was built in 1796 and is home to the patron saint, Virgen de las Nieves. It features a Latin cross layout and a whitewashed exterior decorated with geometric figures. More>
Iglesia Parroquial de Santa María de la Concepción
The original church was constructed in 1505 and rebuilt between 1621 and 1628 after its collapse. It features a rectangular floor plan, a coffered ceiling with Renaissance braces and a rectangular tower with a semicircular arch in the bell body. More>
NATURAL AREAS
Sierra Nevada National Park
The Sierra Nevada is a dramatic, rugged and extensive mountain range. It is the highest in Europe after the Alps, and the most significant section of the Cordillera Penibética (Penibetic Mountain Range). The central protected area of the National Park encompasses 85,883ha of snowy summits, torrential rivers, sheer-sided gorges, stony scree slopes, and glacial lakes. An outer protection ring, the Natural Park, covers 86,335ha between the National Park and the foothills, including the Alpujarras in the south, with cultivated terraces of almond trees and vegetables. Popular activities in the parks include skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and summer camps. Visitors can simply travel and discover the area’s fauna and flora, see its lagoons, and enjoy the adventure of exploring this vast land.
Río Dílar
The Dílar River, which gives the town its name, is another of the area’s greatest attractions. The river rises in the western part of the Sierra Nevada at approximately 3,000m, specifically in the Lagunillos de la Virgen area. It belongs to the Alto Genil sub-basin, within the Guadalquivir River basin. The river is approximately 35km long, rising in the Sierra Nevada near the Laguna de las Yeguas and flowing into the Genil River at the height of Vegas del Genil. The river crosses the municipalities of Dílar, Gójar, Otura, Ogíjares, Alhendín, Las Gabias, Churriana de la Vega, Cúllar Vega, and Granada, before flowing into the Genil River.
The area is popular for hiking, with a notable 11km Chorreón trail through wild landscapes, crossing the river multiple times and ending at a waterfall.
The Río Dílar Recreational Area is located about 4km from the town of Dílar, next to the old hydroelectric power station. It is frequented by families in spring and summer, when the river becomes an inland beach with small pools for bathing.
Archaeological Sites
There are several archaeological sites, such as Tajo de la Mano, Cuesta del Pino, Alayos, and the base of Trevenque. The most important site is Toril, which dates to the Bronze Age. The Department of the Environment has built an Aula de la Naturaleza (nature classroom) there. The area was also once home to a dolmen; however, over time and through human activity, it declined, and no trace remains today.
HANDICRAFTS
Without a doubt, the abundance of esparto grass in the mountains surrounding the village makes it the main raw material for making baskets, bags, blowers, and mats, as well as traditional field tools such as ropes, baskets, gouges, and hoes. However, it is not only esparto grass that has occupied the time of local artisans; lacework skills have also been passed down through generations of women in Dílar.
It is also worth highlighting that on Avenida Emilio Muñoz, the Casa de las Piedras is a true artistic masterpiece made from pebbles and stones from the beach.
BUS SERVICE
There is a bus service from Dílar to Granada. More>
GASTRONOMY
Typical dishes to try in Dílar are the cazuela de la dehesa (fish stew), puchero de hinojos (fennel stew) and remojón (orange and cod salad). If you want something sweet, the Easter pastries, roscos (donuts), pestiños and flores, take center stage.
FESTIVALS
Popular festivals in Dílar are Fiestas Patronales Virgen de las Nieves, Fiesta de las Castañas, San Sebastián and San Marcos. More>
WEATHER FORECAST
The weather forecast for the next few days for Dílar. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office of Dílar is located in the Town Hall. More>