The Province of Granada - An Extraordinary Contrast of Landscapes

The Province of Granada offers a wide range of climates due to its vast geographical diversity, which is full of natural corners of extraordinary beauty. It is, without a doubt, the richest province in Spain in terms of climatic and landscape variety.


The vast biodiversity of alpine vegetation in the National Park of Sierra Nevada (declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO) combines with the stunning botanical reserve of tropical plants found in the Tropical Coast, just a short distance away from the alpine mountains.



The high peaks of Sierra Nevada, the roof of the peninsula, offer snowy winters perfect for practicing winter sports, while the magnificent beaches of the Costa Tropical greet us with warm, sunny days.

In winter, they boast an average temperature of 15°C, whereas in some towns in the Sierra Nevada, temperatures can drop to -10°C below zero.

The Regions and Towns of the Province of Granada

Granada is situated in the eastern sector of Andalusia, in the southern region of the Iberian Peninsula.

The province of Granada comprises 174 towns traditionally grouped into 10 regions, which show strong roots and their own identity.

The northernmost regions are Huéscar and Baza, which border Jaén, Albacete and Murcia.

In the south lie the regions of the Costa Tropical, bathed by the Mediterranean Sea, and the Alpujarra, with home to the highest towns in Andalusia on the southern face of Sierra Nevada.

The province borders to the east with Almería and to the west with Málaga and Córdoba.

The main rivers of Granada are the Genil, a tributary of the Guadalquivir, and its tributaries: the Darro, Monachil, Dílar, Alhama, Cacín, Cutillas, Moro and Velilla. Other important rivers are the Guadalfeo and the Ugíjar.

The province of Granada presents such a variety of landscapes, climates, flora, and fauna that it could be considered unique in Spain.

This exceptional territory, so far south of Europe and with such high peaks, still preserves rich fertile plains, which make their way at the foot of snow-covered mountains.

Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada is the second-highest mountain range in Western Europe. It covers an area of more than 2000 km², extending to the Lecrín Valley in the west and the Guadalfeo River Valley in the south.

In Sierra Nevada, you will find legendary white towns of the Alpujarra, some of which are considered Assets of Cultural Interest, such as those found in the Poqueira Ravine.

It was declared Biosphere Reserve in 1986 due to the immense biological and cultural wealth that these places harbor.

Of the 7,000 species that comprise the Spanish flora, more than 2000 are represented in Sierra Nevada.

For mountaineers and nature lovers, Sierra Nevada offers numerous routes of varying difficulty and surprising landscapes.

In the upper valley of the Monachil River lies the Pradollano ski resort, a sports and tourist complex with magnificent facilities for practicing winter sports and recreational activities. Various world championship events in skiing and snowboarding are held here annually.

See all the information in Sierra Nevada.

The Alpujarra of Granada

This is, without a doubt, a unique place of enormous beauty that will captivate you with its wonderful landscapes and traditional houses.

The white towns of the Alpujarra still mostly preserve the original architecture of the people who once populated them: the Moors.

Its flat roofs, known as "tinaos" or sheds adapted for the cold winter and hot summer months demonstrate great wisdom in the construction of their houses, making the most of the slopes and sunlight.

Due to their inaccessibility and elevation, these towns, protected by their cliffs and ravines, have always served as places of refuge and defense throughout history.

In the towns of Alpujarra, the festival of Moors and Christians is traditional.

Pampaniera, Bubión and Capileira (located at 1058, 1250 and 1436 m. altitude) are undoubtedly some of the most tourist attractions of the region, to the extent that sometimes it gives the impression of being overrun by weekend invaders.

Órgiva with more than 5,000 inhabitants, serves as the capital of the region, and Trevélez with an altitude of 1476 m. of altitude, close to Mulhacén, is one of the highest towns on the peninsula.

However, there are 20 more villages in the Alpujarra of Granada, many of them of enormous beauty and tranquility, waiting to be discovered.

See all the information in La Alpujarra de Granada.

The Tropical Coast of Granada

On the Tropical Coast you will find exotic places, ancient towns with Phoenician roots, and beaches and coves of original beauty.

With three thousand hours of sunshine a year and an average temperature of 18 degrees, you will find beautiful beaches with placid seas and a landscape dotted with avocado, custard apple, and mango plantations.

The cultivation of sugar cane is one of the hallmarks of these towns, which boast a very rich and varied cultural heritage.

Almuñécar is a good example of this, with the Castillo de San Miguel serving as a summary of the region's history.

Other important monuments are the Roman aqueduct and the Monk's tower, Roman columbarium.

See all the information at Costa Tropical de Granada.

Guadix

Guadix was the last stronghold of Arab resistance to the Castilian troops, shortly before the capture of Granada in 1492.

With the Christian conquest, the Moorish converts who remained in the region were progressively marginalized and moved to the suburbs, taking advantage of the cavities of the cliffs and ravines that frequently surround the hamlets as homes.

In this way, in the area, we find the largest concentration of cave houses in all of Spain. If you are interested in their history, visit the Guadix Caves Interpretation Center.

It is also essential to visit its grand cathedral, a jewel of the Spanish Renaissance, the Alcazaba and the imposing La Calahorra castle, a Renaissance palace from the 16th century belonging to the family of Cardinal Mendoza.

His majestic figure dominates the entire landscape in the marquisate area and forms an unforgettable image with Sierra Nevada behind.

If you are in Granada for several days, a trip to Guadix is essential after seeing Granada, its monuments, and corners.

In Guadix, the average January temperature is below 6ºC, and in Baza, it is 4ºC, with frosts being very frequent between November and March.

The summer is hot and dry, with a high number of clear days.

The Granada Geopark

In the regions of Guadix, Baza, Huéscar, and Los Montes lies the Granada Geopark, recently included in the UNESCO World Geoparks Network.

This beautiful place, unique in Europe, extends over a territory of 4,722 km² covering 47 municipalities, with a rich archaeological legacy.

It boasts one of the best examples of Quaternary sediments in Europe, alongside an impressive landscape of thousands of gullies and badlands and badlands, which were capriciously shaped by erosion over millions of years.

Here, you can contemplate Quaternary river valleys, one of the few natural deserts in Europe, faults, gorges, river canyons, clay ridges, and hot springs.

In the Granada Geopark, you will find more than 70 geological sites of interest.

The Coloraos Desert in Gorafe and its Megalithic Park are must-see attractions, along with the End of the World Viewpoint.

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