The Belén, nativity scene, is a tradition throughout
Andalucia during the festive season, with villages and local areas in the towns bringing a taste of
Bethlehem to Spain.
The word Belén has become shortened from Bethlehem over the years.
From
the large displays in local churches and the live displays in the
villages to smaller displays in the homes, people all over Spain
celebrate the birth of the Christchild in one way or another.
In
a large display, the whole village of Bethlehem is displayed in
miniature with live plantings and people going about their daily work in
their houses around the Stable scene.
In a small village in the hills not far from the Costa Tropical, Los Tablones
celebrates the Belén with a 'live' display both before and after
Christmas up until the night of the epiphany, the 'Three Kings' night.
All the villagers join in displaying and using the traditional skills and handicrafts handed down from generation to generation.A way of life fast dying out in modern day Spain along with the ancient knowledge.
This is an unmissable experience; a great priviledge to be able to visit.
The next Belén scene will take place in Los Tablones on 30th December from 11.30 am.
Motril is a Port City. It has a bustling marina filled with fishing boats and pleasure crafts.
The city is located in the province of Granada on Spain's famous "Costa Tropical".
With the majestic "Sierra Nevada" mountain range at it's back, Motril looks out over the blue Mediterranean Sea.
The Costa Tropical
lacks the sandy beaches of, say, the Costa de la Luz but it stays warmer for
longer and that itself attracts cruise liner devotees from America.
The
arrival of cruise ships has been good news for the economy of Motril,
Granada and the Costa Tropical.
That, coupled with regular ferry crossings to
Melilla and El Hoceina in Morocco, means the new improved port has been busier than ever before.
Motril to Morocco Ferries
Sea Cloud 11 moored in Motril Harbour
This new, three-mast tall ship is slightly longer than the original Sea
Cloud, and has the look, ambiance and feel of a 1930s sailing vessel but
with all the latest high-tech navigational aids.
Long gone the days when it was possible to simply stroll to the waters edge and watch the
fisherman bring in their catch.
All manner of security
measures now prevent you from getting that close these days.
The important autonomous Port of Motril
includes commercial port, fishing harbour and Yacht Club with a total
of 190 mooring posts.
The Royal Yacht Club is a private club with
the following facilities: restaurant, bar-terrace, social lounge,
library and swimming-pool.
Here also you have the possibility to hire sailing boats, (the company
is “Viento y Mar”) as well as yachts for excursions around our
coastline or fishing trips (the company is “Garra Fishing”).
They organise many
other activities such as championships, fishing competitions, yacht and
sailing competitions, sailing courses, scuba diving, windsurf or water
ski courses, a round the harbour swimming competition in the middle of August as well as having their own swimming club.
Address: Muelle de Poniente, s/n
Port of Motril
Telephone: 958 600037
Latitude 36º 44'N Longitude 3º 33'W
In the Nautical Activities Club of Motril
you can practise any kind of water sport, Sailing, windsurf, water
bike etc. and they also organise sailing championships like the “I Copa de Andalucía”.
Muelle de Poniente, s/n Port of Motril
Telephone: 958 609408
Fiesta in honour of the Virgen del Carmen in El Varadero and Torrenueva
These are the fiestas of
El Varadero, in the port of Motril, and of the nearby village of
Torrenueva, that take place on 16th July. In El Varadero mass takes
place in the Fish Auction buildingat 12.30 pm and the fishermen sing to the Virgin
the “Salve Marinera”. At dusk, after the procession around all the
streets of this neighbourhood, the Virgin is taken out to sea on a boat
followed by many other fishing boats decorated for this occasion.
This sight is seen by hundreds of local people, especially fishermen and
inhabitants of the port area. There are also fireworks that
illuminate the sky over the sea.
In Torrenueva the Virgen
del Carmen is paraded around the whole village and afterwards, taken out on a
fishing boat by fishermen and volunteers.
Inthe province ofGranadathere is onlyone market ofseafoodsales, theMotril, which in 2011saw an increaseinsales and turnover, as compared to 1.6millionkilosof fishin2010 by aamountof just overfivemillion,has sold2.7 millionreaching6 millioneuros.
...................................
Portside Sea Food Restaurants
El Briza del Mar
TheSeaBreezerestaurantinMotrilis locatedon AvenidaJulio Moreno, 18, in the districtof ElVaradero deMotril, just opposite the Port.Brisa del Mar is first and foremost a fish restaurant, owned and run by a family of Motril fishermen.
"Enjoy arefreshingbeerandtapasatthe houseinvitesin this countyis a pleasureparadise. Butif you alsowant to enjoy therich billofestablishment andsitfor lunch or dinner, you'll find exquisiteculinary delightsproposalsasfriedsardinesand otherseafood. Enjoy the best atmosphereinthis place thatremindsthe fishing traditions ofthe area."Translated from Spanish by Google.
Peaceful and serene would be some people''s
description of a holiday and Riofrio is all that and more.
Imagine taking a walk in the Spanish countryside or fishing whilst enjoying the
ambience of the surroundings. Riofrio offers this calmness to its visitors
all through the year.
The clear waters of Riofrio
Riofrio is best known for its sturgeon
fish farm, which is considered to be the only certified organic farm in the
world.
This stunning fish farm brings in the bulk of
the area’s economy.
The Piscifactoría de Sierra Nevada is, in fact,
the world’s first organic fish farm. They utilize a water purification
system that utilizes vegetation to filter the water and they make their own
fish food.
Wine connoisseurs should head to Rio Frío where
trout and caviar are the town’s claim to fame. In fact, the area’s
sturgeon farm produces ample amounts of sturgeon caviar of exceptional
quality. The caviar is actually the greatest caviar in all of Spain and one of the best in the whole world. If you have the chance to sample some of this
delectable treat, don’t miss it!
Caviar from Riofrio
The sturgeon is one of the oldest fish in existence. Fossils of these
fish appear as far back as two hundred million years ago. Sturgeon do not have vertebrae but a cartilage along their
back. Sometimes this is damaged, but they are capable of regenerating
this cartilage themselves.
Visiting Groups must consist of at least 20
people and the cost is 60 euros each.
The visit includes a guided tour and tasting of two
different types of caviar of 10 grams each.
Visits must be booked at least two weeks in
advance.
The village is very small with just about three
hundred occupants but many visitors pass through to take a look at the
fish farm and to taste the ever popular Riofrio trout.
The fishermen or the 'always wanted to be fishermen'
are also welcome to try their hands at catching a trout or two; a fishing
permit is required but this can be easily obtained.
The most popular dish being trout, baked in tomato, garlic, and
onions, the trout can be extremely succulent.
Try some trout pan-fried in a little bit of olive oil
and fresh garlic for a delightful dinner.
The first recorded catch of a trout dates back to the year 1664 and presently
the village is said to be selling an estimated 500, 000 kilograms of trout on a
yearly basis.
Whilst fishing may be the number one tourist attraction, it is certainly not
the only attraction applicable to Riofrio; every Sunday morning the market at
the centre of Riofrio comes alive with crafts and wares and other miscellaneous
items making the morning very interesting and eventful.
Walking around the outdoor market
stalls and taking in the armours from the many restaurants preparing the Sunday
lunches is a delight.
In Rio Frío, tourists will be delighted with a
sixteenth century bridge that remains in remarkable shape.
Pack horse Bridge - Riofrio
A racehorse stable offers tours to interested parties.
For the auto enthusiast, an automobile museum
hosts a number of classic cars.
.......on the southern slopes of Spain's Sierra Nevada in the Alpujarras is
ideal for anyone in search of clean air, mountain views and authentic
culture.
A spa town in a natural environment with
mountain views and pure spring water, which is bottled and sold
throughout Spain and has even had poems dedicated to it by García Lorca.
Located on an old silk route south to Persia, the town is within easy reach
of Granada and the Costa Tropical while remaining sufficiently off the beaten
track to avoid the stresses of city living. Most of its 4,000 residents are
friendly towards foreigners, though the culture remains thoroughly Spanish.
Give methe peace ofthehidden sourceand the blondelookofblondwheatandthe strengthof mature autumn pinesand the Nevada breezeof April breezes
Lanjarón has five natural springs of medicinal waters and is
often referred to as the 'Fountain of Health', the waters originating from
the Sierra Nevada, Snow Mountains. Also 'the Gateway to the Alpujarras'.
The climate is fresh in summer, with
temperatures rarely going above 28ºC and winters are generally mild,
with minimum temperatures of around 12ºC.
The Spa Baths
The Spa is in the centre of the town of Lanjarón, 43 kilometers from Granada and500 meters above sea level. Open from March to December.
The properties of the waters include: sodium/calcium, bicarbonates, diuretic, digestive and iron. Therapies offered for: digestive system, rheumatism, respiratory problems, stress and nervous system. Treatments on offer: Drinking water,
Jacuzzi baths, underwater massage, jet and circular sprays, inhalation,
steam, mud baths, massage, reflexology, electrotherapy and lymphatic
drainage. The Spa has a large ballroom and magnificent chandeliers which testify to the importance of the Spa in a bygone age.
.
The Water Museum
The project began with a search for a site with water flowing through
it, eventually alighting on an area to the north-east of town at the
entrance to the Sierra Nevada National Park.
The site lies in a steeply
sloping gulley next to the Lanjarón river and an irrigation ditch that
used to serve the now disused local abattoir.
A specially devised
pedestrian itinerary connects the new museum with historic examples of
water-related building types, such as old watermills and a public
laundry.
The reciprocity between old and new underscores the entire project. The
plain stone sheds of the former abattoir are refurbished and adapted
for museum use. New corrugated metal roofs and white rendered walls
enhance the dignity and simplicity of the original vernacular
architecture. During the course of remodelling, it was discovered that
the buildings were originally used as watermills, giving the project an
added archaeological dimension.
A new courtyard made from stacked prefabricated concrete blocks and
studded with a grid of orange trees contains a shallow reservoir which
is flooded by water at different times of the day. The pool is lined
with horizontally sliced trunks of eucalyptus.
‘The
shade and scent of the orange blossom, the sound of the water and the
reflections when the courtyard is flooded all create a refreshing
atmosphere,’ says architect Juan Domingo Santos.
The Lanjarón Festival of Water and Ham
Since
1980, Lanjarón has celebrated Midsummer's Eve in honour of San Juan
Bautista, John the Baptist, with its Fiesta del Agua y del Jamon,Water
and Ham Festival, although the ham aspect has been overshadowed over
the years by the liquid element.
At the stroke of midnight on 23 June,
the small mountain village erupts into the greatest water fight in
Spain, and maybe even the world.
Famous for its mineral water, Lanjarón is the perfect destination for
this crazy water war. Locals make sure they park their cars out of town
in anticpation of the liquid onslaught that attracts revellers from all
over the country and further afield.
At midnight, participants take to the streets armed with buckets, water
pistols, and anything else they can get their hands on. Total strangers
soak each other to the skin, while ladies spray the crowd with hose
pipes from the safety of their balconies, filling up their buckets in
the process.
By the time the whistle blows at the end of the fight, there is a river
running through the streets, and all are soaked to the bone. After a
quick change of clothes, the cerveza starts pouring, fireworks fill the
sky and the real party begins.
Over the next few days, revellers
celebrate the calm after the storm with a feast of mouthwatering jamon, ham, another product for which Lanjaron is renowned.
The Moorish Castle of Lanjarón
Only its ruins remain over a rocky promontory near to the town, at around an altitude of 600m.
Its location was superb, because
it dominated on one hand, the access road to the Alpujarra and, on the
other, the road that connected Granada with the Coast.
The castle was
surrounded by a wall, defended by two great towers of rubblework, one to
the north, semi-circular, and the other, to the south.
Fernando the Catholic King conquered the town in 1490. Its Moorish
inhabitants rebelled again in 1500, a revolt that was controlled by the
Christians after an epic defence. The captain who defended the place
preferred to throw himself from a tower before surrender.
It
participated in an active way against the Napoleonic troops in the
Independence War, its inhabitants receiving the qualifying name of
“canoneros” since then.
The castle is currently being renovated.
Now closed for conservation reasons, the road actually goes right across
the top of the Sierra Nevada, through the National Park and the
reason for the closure,straight toGranada, but not in winter…as it is snowbound!
El Torcal de Antequera is a nature reserve in the Sierra del Torcal
mountain range located south of the city of Antequera, in the province
of Málaga off the A45 road in Andalusia, Spain.
Address: Centro de Visitantes del Torcal de Antequera, Paraje Natural Torcal de Antequera Ctra. 7075 s/n, 29200 Antequera, Malaga, Spain
The extraordinary limestone rock formations of El Torcal, Antequera
35 kilometres north of Malaga and 10 kilometres west of Antequera, near the village of
Villanueva de la Concepcion, lies another world. A world of fantastical limestone formations and flower covered valleys,
of fragrant pine forests and rugged canyons. This is a world where time has stood still, where eagles soar on thermals
and Ibex roam. El Torcal Park is a haven of peace and tranquility, 17 square kilometres of some of the
most beautiful and impressive limestone landscapes in Europe.
The whole area lay under the sea until one about hundred
million years ago. Then the violent
movements of the Earth's crust forced it upward into hills and
mountains reaching 1,300 metres in height with the limestone retaining
a layered horizontal formation. After this, over the millions of years,
the rain and wind chiselled away at these
layers to form incredible shapes.
To reach the heart of the park the road winds up
to 1,100 metres above sea level with
spectacular views all along. At the end of the road is a parking area
with an information centre, a small observatory and a small museum
exhibiting the flora and fauna of the park. Orchid enthusiasts will be
captivated by the 30 varieties growing in the park.
There are three marked walking routes through the park marked with coloured arrows. The
green route is the shortest and easiest at 1.5 kilometres and taking about 30 minutes. The yellow route is 2.5 kilometres,
taking you to "Las Ventanillas" (The Windows) at 1,200 metres for panoramic views of the valley of Malaga. The red route is
the longest and most difficult, at 4.5 kilometres it takes about three hours, with a viewing point 1,339 metres altitude
where you can see the whole of El Torcal Park and the African Coastline.
In the north of Malaga province 19km from Antequera is the Laguna de
Fuente de Piedra, a famous, beautiful lagoon.
The largest natural lake in
the Iberian Peninsula at 2.5km wide and 6.5km long, it is a haven for
birds with over 170 different species recorded here.
Apart from its abundant aquatic birds, it is well known for its flamingo
population, the second largest colony of these birds in Europe after
the French Camargue region and the only inland site on the continent
where they breed. In spring flamingos flock here in their thousands to
reproduce, attracted by the water's high salt content and the fact that
it is shallow.
Although in winter the lake fills up and covers around 15km², it is
seasonal, so it virtually dries out in summer. During times of scarcity,
the flamingos may go as far as the Doñana National Park to find food.
During Roman times, salt was extracted here and flamingos were hunted
for their tongues, considered to be a delicacy. In the early 19th
century people believed that the lake water had medicinal qualities, so
the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra was not allowed to dry out completely,
unlike other wetland areas in Spain.
In the 1930s a salt company that
owned the lake undertook a campaign to reduce the flamingo population,
which was threatening their salt production.
Luckily, the lake's ecological value was publicised and it became a
magnet for birdwatchers and naturalists. In 1988 it was a declared a
zone of special interest for birds (Zepa). The protected area covers
8,543ha.
The best places to see the lake include the viewpoint by the visitors'
centre, the Mirador de Cerro del Palo, and anywhere along the footpath
Sendero de la Vicaría.
The Pink Lagoon
Surrounded by a vast, monotonous terrain, the Lagoon
of Fuente de Piedra appears like a glorious oasis in the extensive
Llanure de Antequera, considered to be one of the largest natural
lagoons in Spain. Measuring more than six kilometres long and nearly
three kilometres wide, the lagoon provides an ideal breeding spot for
what surely must be one of the most elegant and exquisite birds in the
world.
This setting of the Fuente de Piedra is
significant, in part because of its geographical location which is
very close to the African continent and is thus a strategic point for
migrating birds seeking rest before crossing the Mediterranean to
spend the winter in Africa. Also, this locale is situated beside the
French Camarga which is one of only two places in the entire Eastern
Mediterranean where flamingos typically breed. It's not surprising,
therefore, that this lagoon is deemed a protected zone in an
international treaty, as the loss of this unique enclave would cause a
serious set back for the flamingo population. One of the characteristics of this lagoon is the
salinity of the water. Normally this does not constitute an attraction
for a non-marine bird, however in the case of the pink flamingo it is
this very concentration of salt in the water which determines the
presence of microscopic organisms, such as seaweed and crustacea which
are the basis of their diet.
The optimum time to observe these magnificent
birds is around the end of January, which is when they arrive from
their winter quarters to spend the spring and summer months engaged in
the all consuming activity of breeding. Naturally, this depends on
the amount of rainfall earlier in the year however, as if the lagoon
is dried out or is at a low level this would result in a risk for
breeding and the flamingos would essentially disappear.
Towards the end of summer, mainly during
the months of July and August, an impressive example of technical
expertise takes place which closely resembles a military operation,
rather than a purely scientific activity. This is due to the precise
and calculated work which is carried out according to the orders of
Manuel Rendon, the Conservation Manager of the reserve in Fuente de
Piedra supported by a party of a trained professionals in the field. Typically, a team of more than 200 people advance on the lagoon before
daylight; their mission being to label the thousands of young
flamingos which are still unable to fly. To be able to accomplish this
task, the birds are driven into a type of pen where they are huddled
together and labeled. Sometimes blood is extracted for later analysis,
after which the birds are set free. This activity has been in effect
since the year 1986 when the reproductive activity of these birds was
appreciated as being of vital importance in order to understand and
analyse the life of the flamingo. Thanks to such labelling it is now
possible to learn the flamingos migrating routes, their ages and other
biological aspects.
Information There is a lakeside visitors' centre (952 111 715) at the Cerro del
Palo, just off the Sierra de Yeguas road out of the Fuente de Piedra
village. Here, there is plenty of information on the lake, much of it
audiovisual. There are also guided tours available, for observing the
birds and other wildlife, but these only run when the lake has water.
Access
Take the A45 north of Malaga and then the A92 towards Seville. The
Fuente de Piedra is situated next to the exit for Fuente de Piedra and
the information centre is located between the village and the lake,
close to the shore. The MA454 road to Sierra de Yeguas from Fuente de
Piedra runs around the lake.
Alternatively, take the Cordoba or Seville train to Malaga and get off at Fuente de Piedra, only 500m from the visitors' centre.
Accommodation
There is a hotel in Fuente de Piedra or try Antequera, 20km away.
La Casa de la Fuente is a luxury B&B situated in Villanueva de Algaidas.
Finca Carihuela is a farmhouse 5km from Antequera offering B&B.
Humblebee Home is a B&B located 3km from Valle de Abdalajís.
Camping
Laguna Fuente Piedra overlooks the lake and has wooden cabins to rent, a campsite and a swimming pool.
http://www.camping-rural.com/en_tarifas.html
Flora
The presence of halophytic plants (those adapted to a saltwater habitat)
is in abundance. Amongst many others, there are saltwort, Mediterranean
brushwood and African tamarisks, the latter an important area for many
species of birds during the breeding season.
There are also freshwater reeds and rushes by the site of an old canal,
which is now used to control the inflow of freshwater to the lake and to
prevent the overflow of saltwater into nearby crop fields. All these
plants form the basis of the ecosystem of the lake and surrounding area
and upon which the aquatic bird life survives.
Beyond the lake shores are holm oaks and wild olive trees, along with Mediterranean scrub.
Fauna
From late February onwards, thousands of flamingos fly in and take up
residence, building nests on the small island on the lake, known as La
Colonia, and by the end of April or beginning of May the flamingo chicks
appear beside their parents to wade the shallow waters of the lake and
learn to feed.
In midsummer the flamingos and their chicks migrate to
Africa or take up residence in other sites in Andalucia, like the
saltpans in the Marismas del Odiel, Cabo de Gata or the Bahía de Cadiz.
As well as the greater flamingo, the lake is also home to many other
species of birdlife the whole year round. There is freshwater running in
a channel surrouding the lake, attracting other wetland birds that also
breed here like avocets, Montagu's harriers, black-winged stilts,
white-headed ducks, little bitterns, red-crested pochards and
black-necked grebes.
Many aquatic birds, some in danger of extinction and including several
protected species, fly here to spend the winter months in this mild
climate. From November to February, visitors come to see the thousands
of waterfowl congregated here; among them are cranes, grey herons,
black-necked grebes, great crested grebes, teals, mallards, shovelers,
red-crested pochards, white-headed ducks, marbled ducks, wigeons and
flamingos.
During migration times, terns and waders, as well as birds of prey like
short-toed eagles and black kites, can be seen, whilst in the fields
around the lake are bee-eaters, crested larks, yellow wagtails, stone
curlews, great grey shrikes and hoopoes.
The lake supports a wide range of reptiles, such as spine-footed
lizards, ocellated lizards, Spanish sand lizards, Algerian sand
lizards, southern wall lizards, three-toed skinks, grey-borrowing
lizards, horseshoe snakes, ladder snakes, water snakes and grass
snakes. In the fields surrounding the lake are rabbits, hares, garden
dormice, foxes and badgers.
Are you
looking for a new destination for a day out?
Witness wolves in an
exceptional environment that lets no doubt that animals in captivity do
have a chance to live in a semi-natural habitat.
A short distance from
Antequera you will find the Lobo Park, where you may look at a wolf eye
to eye for the first time in your life.
An unforgettable emotional
experience!
Wolf Howl Night
Come and hear our wolves during a Wolf Howl Night!See the pack when they are most active. You even get the chance to howl along!
We
serve a dinner that is followed by a guided night tour.
The guided tour
teaches about wolves in general, but we also focus on their
vocalizations and specifically why wolves howl!
Audiences are always
thrilled when they let out a howl, and the wolves howl in return
especially in a night with a clear sky full of stars or even during full
moon. Definitely an unforgettable evening!
Price for the diner and the guided night tour (7:30pm – mid night):
Adults 32,00€ and children (from 3 – 12 years) 25,00€ Reservations necessary please call tel. +34 952031107 or send an email to: info@lobopark.com
At request special booking for groups (min. 15 persons) also on other evenings.
These are the dates for our Howl Nights in 2012: January: Monday 9 (full moon) February: Tuesday 7 (full moon) March: Thursday 8 (full moon) April: Friday 6 (full moon) May: Sunday 6 (full moon), Saturday 19, Saturday 26 June: Monday 4 (full moon), Saturday 16, Saturday 23, Saturday 30 July: Tuesday 3 (full moon), Saturday 7, Friday 13, Saturday 21, Friday 27, Saturday 28 August: Thursday 2 (full moon), Saturday 4, Friday 10, Saturday 11, Friday 17, Saturday 18, Saturday 25, Friday 31(full moon) September: Friday 7, Saturday 15, Sunday 30 (full moon) October: Saturday 6, Saturday 13, Monday 29 (full moon) November: Wednesday 28 (full moon) December: Friday 28 (full moon)
To ensure your reservation we recommend making a 50% down payment for your booking - Please follow this Link:
....... is the highest and most northerly of the three
villages in the gorge of the Poqueira river in the La Alpujarra district
of the province of Granada, in Spain.
Its altitude is officially recorded as 1436 metres, though there is a
considerable altitude difference between the oldest part of the village,
which is at the lower, southern end, and the highest part.
Although
the Sierra Nevada Highway runs through Capileira and out across the
Sierra Nevada mountains towards the city of Granada,
motor traffic is no longer permitted to continue across the mountains;
Capileira is therefore the highest village that public traffic can
reach, although you can continue to a car park where the National park
begins and the road is barred to normal traffic. The National Park runs a
limited bus service
on the now-closed road (reservations handled by office in the village)
in summer. A track leads northwards from the village to the abandoned
settlement of LaCebadilla, built to house the workers who developed the
hydro-electric installation at the upper end of the Poqueira Gorge.
Capileira has developed a significant tourist trade, acting as a centre for walking and for accessing the mountains especially Mulhacén,
generally treated as a two-day climb from Capileira with an overnight
stop at a mountain refuge en route. A bus route connects the village to Granada (via Lanjarón and Órgiva) and Alcútar (via Trevélez and Juviles); as of 2011
there were 3 services per day in each direction. The village has good
facilities for visitors including a number of restaurants,a market on
Tuesdays, hotels and apartment blocks, but retains a typical Alpujarran
character especially away from the main road.
On Calle Mentidero is the village′s museum, the Museo Etnológico
Pedro Antonio Alarcón, which has exhibits of local handicrafts and dress
and a display on the 19th-century writer Alarcón, from Guadix, who
published an account of the Alpujarras, Viaje a la Alpujarra. It′s open
11am-2.30pm Tuesday to Sunday.
For the most outstanding views of the village and the Poqueira gorge,
head north towards the river and you′ll come to the Eras de Aldeire, a
series of old threshing floors that were used for wheat and barley. On
the southeastern edge of the village is a viewpoint (mirador) from where
you can see down the Poqueira valley to Bubión and Pampaneira and north
to the Veleta peak.
At the top of the village is the best hotel in Capileira, the
three-star Finca Los Llanos, with magnificent views from all of the
rooms and apartments and from the attractive swimming pool. Just beyond
Capileira is Cortijo Catifalarga (958 343 357), a stone guesthouse on a
farm with fabulous views and occasional live music in its bar. There are
also several basic accommodation options in the centre, including
Mesón-Hostal Poqueira. There are good restaurants at all these hotels.
If you′re vegetarian, eat at the Casa Ibero on Calle Parra.
For a truly away-from-it-all experience, you can stay in the mountain
refuge beyond Capileira, the Refugio Poqueira (958 343 349). Located at
2,500m en route to Mulhacén peak, there are spectacular views of the
Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarras.
If you want to hike up to Mulhacén you can take a bus from Capileira
(in summer only) to the Mirador de Trevélez. From here (2,700m) you can
climb up to the peak (3,479m) and down, in time to catch the return bus.
For tourist information, contact the village hall (ayuntamiento) on 958 763 051.
Órgiva held its third year of the Castañada Alpujarreña, which was organised by the Ayuntamiento de Alpujarra de la Sierra, with a helping hand from the Ayuntamiento de Órgiva.
The result was hundreds of kilos of chestnuts were roasted and handed around to locals and tourists.
The event kicked off in the Plaza Alpujarra in Órgiva on Saturday 17th November at 7.30 p.m. and the locals gathered around the roasting chestnuts despite
the rain.
As the chestnuts sizzled the Cuerda San Miguel chorus sang.
The mayors of both towns took part and the cultural association, La
Casa de la Alpujarra, awarded the la Castaña de Plata to the Asociación
Cultural Abuxarra, which is considered the oldest association (club) in
the area and one of the hardest working ones that strives to keep this
kind of cultural activity alive.
October, November and December are chestnut season and many villages
celebrate with their own roast-chestnut fiestas, accompanied by plenty
of anís or the year’s produce of country wine.
Playa La Rijana, or La Rijana beach, is situated in the province of Granada on the South Coast of Spain just outside of the village of Castell de Ferro some 20 kms east of Motril.
The beach has consistently been voted as being one of the best on the Costa del Sol - despite being situated on the Costa Tropical. These minor
technicalities apart, for beach lovers, you couldn’t hope for a more
beautiful spot.
The pebble beach offers exceptionally clean waters and is a favourite with divers.
Situated in a little cove that you need to walk down to, the access is quite easy to miss, adding to its appeal.
This part of the coast has not opened up to foreign tourism.
Nestled between the clear, blue waters of the Mediterranean and the
Las Alpujarras mountains, the lack of regional infrastructure has always
ensured that the area is relatively untouched.
Hopes for a more buoyant local economy based on foreign tourism have
given way to intensive agriculture. The area produces high quality
vegetable crops such as cucumbers, courgettes, peppers and avocados,
most of which are for export to Northern Europe or other areas of Spain.
All of these factors combined, ensure that visitors get an authentic impression of the ‘real Spain.’
During the busier summer months, the beach can be crowded with
local Spaniards from the neighbouring villages and Motril but,
generally speaking, you can always find a quiet spot for yourself.
What is there to do?
Not much. The beach is not within walking distance of the village.
There is, however, a small bar/chiringuito on the beach in July & August that offers
some spectacular views, is reasonably priced and a fantastic spot to
have a drink and contemplate the natural beauty that surrounds you.
The geological conditions along this stretch of coastline make it
very rich in marine life. Bring a mask and snorkel – the beach and
the surrounding coves are excellent for snorkeling.
Getting There!
If coming from the Malaga direction, the beach is situated several kms before the village of Castell de Ferro.
Pass through the villages of Torrenueva, Carchuna and Calahonda and keep following the old coastal N-340.
The road winds up and down, goes through several tunnels and passes some spectacular coves/beaches.
Keep your eyes peeled for the exit - see picture - which you will see on your left-hand side when coming from Malaga.
Rijana exit looking towards Malaga
Be careful, people drive very quickly and the old N-340 is renowned for being dangerous.
If you miss it first time round, which is very likely, just drive into Castell and double back on yourself.
Park at the top and walk down. You have to walk back under the
motorway through a tunnel. Its not far, some 200m from the car park to
the beach.
Bring plenty of suntan cream, water and prepare yourself for a
fantastic day out on one of the Costa Costa Tropical’s best
beaches!!
