Defensive Villages of the Vega of Granada
The area west of Granada was once a crucial frontier between the Moorish kingdom of Granada and the Christian territory. Today, it is now dotted some dramatically sited villages, on rocky crags or hills overlooking the fertile vega (plain). These villages still bear the stamp of their defensive past in their ruined fortifications in hilltop positions, with magnificent views over the olive groves and cereal fields of the undulating vega.
The village in the most spectacular situation is undoubtedly Montefrío. Two hilltop churches dominate its skyline, the highest built on the site of a Moorish fortress whose walls can still be seen today. Loja del Río huddles in the shadow of the Sierra de Loja, split in two by the Genil river that has a number of magnificent waterfalls on its banks, Los Infiernos de Loja Natural Monument, just outside town. Alhama de Granada is located on the top of a steep-sided ravine and is famous for its thermal spring.
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Villages of the Vega of Granada
Zagra is a small rural municipality in the Loja district of western Granada Province, located around 65km from Granada city. Olive groves and rolling countryside surround it.
Zafarraya is a village in western Granada province, near the border with Málaga, set at 893m on a fertile plain surrounded by mountains.
Villanueva Mesía is a small municipality in the Poniente Granadino region of western Granada Province, located about 40km west of Granada city.
Ventas de Huelma is a village in Granada province and a popular destination for rural tourism. Visitors can stay in a traditional cave house and spend the days walking in the surrounding area.… More →
Santa Cruz del Comercio is a village in Granada province is an ideal destination for those who want to enjoy outdoor sports such as hiking or hunting.
Salar is the source of the Bañuelo thermal springs, and is also home to the Monea caves featuring stalactites and stalagmites. From here, visitors can experience amazing panoramic views.
Moraleda de Zafayona has been declared a site of cultural interest due to the significant number of archaeological remains found here from various eras.
Láchar is an ideal destination for rural tourism due to its natural environment and location, situated between forests and fertile fields. It has about 3000 inhabitants.
Jayena is a village in Granada province located in the valley formed by the Río Grande and offers a natural environment ideal for outdoor sports such as hiking.
Íllora is a village in Granada province once known as the Right eye of Granada, due to its importance as a defensive fortification.
Huétor Tájar is a village in Granada province most famous for its green espárragos which are of high quality.
Escúzar is a village in Granada province located 24km from Granada city in an area of astounding natural beauty, with the Sierra de Tejada to the south and the Sierra de la Pera to the north.
Chimeneas was initially a small farming settlement. According to some authors, it owes its unusual name to travellers who saw smoke from the first houses.
Cacín is home to the remains of the Cueva de Cacín cave, where the famous Vaso de Cacín was discovered. This is now on display in Madrid. The town has a population of around 680.
Arenas del Rey is a village in Granada province recently formed by the union of various smaller hamlets.
Algarinejo is comprised of two areas, in addition to the main nucleus: La Viña and Fuentes de Cesna, which was inhabited by Arabs dedicated to the jewellery industry.
Agrón dates back to the Muslim rule over southern Spain, but didn’t develop until many centuries later, when Spanish settlements started to emerge after the Reconquista. It has about 290… More →
Vegas del Genil was formed in 1976 with the union of three villages: Ambroz, Belicena and Purchil. Vegas del Genil is a municipality in the Vega de Granada, located just west of the city of… More →
Las Gabias is the perfect destination for lovers of archaeology and sports such as horse riding, golf or sport shooting.
A visit to Fuente Vaqueros is the perfect way to learn about the life and works of Federico García Lorca, one of Spain's finest writers and poets.
Cúllar Vega is unique for having a particularly striking landscape of black poplar trees. It has about 6500 inhabitants.
Churriana de la Vega is a village known as the 'lungs of Granada', thanks to its natural environment. Visitors can enjoy the ancient Arabic hammam baths, which have been designated a Site of… More →
Chauchina takes its name from the Latin word 'sanciuos', meaning 'willow', due to the abundance of willow trees in the area.
The village of Otura is found at the limits of what is known as La Campana. This is the area where the sound of the bells from the Torre de la Vela in the Alhambra Palace can still be heard. Otura… More →
La Malahá is home to some of the most important salt mines which feed the waters of the Santapudia and Salado ravines. It has about 1700 inhabitants.
This town, located close to Granada City, played an important role in the numerous battles that took place here during the re-conquest of Andalucía by the Christians. The Armilla population is… More →
Alhendín is situated in the heart of the Granada Lowlands, a haven for culture and nature lovers.
Cijuela is an Arabic village, originally named “Zujuela”, meaning “little plain”. It has very fertile soil and a network of rivers which provide water and irrigation for the whole area. The… More →
Located off the tourist trail in the northwestern corner of Granada province near the Cordoba border, this friendly village enjoys one of the region's most striking settings, with one of its… More →
Santa Fé is an unassuming town just 11 kilometres west of Granada City with a population of approximately 14,000. While it may not at first appear to be the most remarkable destination in… More →
Loja sits in a narrow valley dominated by the barren limestone massif of the Sierra de Loja, divided in two by the Genil River, situated on the western edge of the fertile vega (plain) of Granada… More →
Just off the A92 motorway about midway between Malaga and Granada is the village of Riofrío. Within easy reach of most Andalusian destinations, as well as both Malaga and Granada airports (40 and… More →
Alhama de Granada is a pretty, ancient spa town located approximately 53 kilometres from Granada. It is perched precariously at the top of a ravine from where the Rio Alham carves through… More →
Parks of the Vega of Granada
These magnificent waterfalls, Los Infiernos, are located just outside Loja on the Genil river and cover an area of 2.5ha. Apart from its diverse plant, bird and animal species, this stretch of… More →
