| General information about Andalucia and the Sierra Nevada / Alpujarra area |
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Southern Spain has only one name: Andalucia.
Spain's highest mountains range the Sierra Nevada is a magnificent backdrop to this partly undiscovered area of Spain, complete with fiestas, Moorish castles and some of the best and least expensive food and wine to be found. The region has dramatic and enchanting valleys, forests, vineyards, waterfalls, rivers and picturesque white mountain villages, which unlike many of the coastal resorts, have remained unspoiled by tourism. And all this with about about 325 days of sunshine per year. Where else is it possible to see oranges, lemons, figs, with a backdrop of snow capped mountains? Andalusia is, above all, Light. It is a painter's and writer's paradise.
Granada City (text taken from www.spain-info.com)
Granada is located on one of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range and was a stronghold of the Nazeri Dynasty, the last great Moorish kingdom in Spain. On leaving Spain the Arabs had to leave behind one of the most fabulous medieval palaces ever built, the Alhambra of Granada. The Alhambra palace was protected by the Alcazaba fortress. The walls and ceiling of the Alhambra's rooms are incredibly beautiful with graceful and harmonious courtyards. The Generalife summer palace, on the same Granadan hill, is known for its lush gardens with beautiful fountains and tranquil ponds. The Sierra Nevada mountain range rises to the south of Granada and contains a ski resort with the highest peak in continental Spain, Mulhacén (3482 m).
The Alhambra Palace
Granada is an hour away and booking is advised as turning up on spec may mean queues. Booking line is 902 22 44 60 (English spoken), Have your credit card ready (Visa/Mastercard only). There are three sections to the Alhambra: Alcazaba, Palacio and Generallife Gardens. To view the Palacio section, you are given an allotted time of half an hour so organise your visit to the other two sections around this allotted time. Collect any pre booked tickets from the advance booking window at least ONE hour before your allocated time. Opening hours: 8.30 AM till 8.00 PM all year round Price: 7 euros in total. Granada is a lovely city to explore, with a cathedral, the gypsy quarter (Albaicin / Sacremonte) and lots of great shopping and eating.
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Visiting the Alhambra Palace
Granada is an hour away and booking is advised as turning up on spec may mean queueing. Booking line is 902 22 44 60 (English spoken), Have your credit card ready (Visa/Mastercard only). There are three sections to the Alhambra: the Alcazaba, the Palacio, and the Generalife gardens. You may visit the latter two areas at any time, but to view the Palacio you are given an allotted entry time, so organise the rest of your tour around this. Collect your pre-booked tickets from the Advance Booking window at least ONE hour before your allotted time. Opening hours: 8.30 AM till 8.00 PM all year round Price: 10 euros
The Alhambra Palace
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| Hot Springs of Alhama de Granada: a beautiful ancient spa town with hot springs, Moorish castle, a lovely church and some Neolithic caves. Take the N323 to Granada and then the stunning C340 road to Alhama, which is about 28 kms southwest of Granada. Journey time from Kaliyoga is about 2 hours. |
Mountain Villages
On the road between Orgiva and Lanjaron there is a turning (near the big BP petrol station) which leads to the most scenic mountain villages. Most accessible are three villages in the Poqueira Valley: Pampaneira, Bubion and Capeleira. They all have cafes, bars and there are shops selling local produce. There is a funky bar in Bubion called Bar Morisco. Continue up past Capeleira and you’ll find a flamenco night club called Al Catifa. There is also a lovely mountain spring beyond Capeleira where you can swim in the natural pools. On the way back, take a left at the junction near Bubion and follow the signs to Pitres, Ferreirola and Mecina Fondales for gorgeous mountain walks. There’s a family-owned bar in Mecina for the best paella in the world. Ask for Marissa. |
Moorish white villages in the Alpujarra mountains
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Coast & Beaches
Kaliyoga is approx 30 mins from the coast and another 20 mins takes you to our favourite beach, a nudey beach called Playa Naturista. Take the N323 towards Motril and turn right on the N340, direction Salobrena. Continue along the coast road past Almunecar, La Herradura (sandy beaches) and continue through a long tunnel called Cerro Gordo. As soon as you exit the tunnel, turn left to the beach. Parking space is limited and if full you may have to park at the top and walk down (15mins). Alternatively if you continue along the coast road you will find lovely beaches around Nerja and you can visit the illuminated caves at Nerja that contain spectacular stalagtites. |
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Horseriding
Our favourite ride is with a lovely lady called Sarah who has good horses for all abilities. Cost 30 euros for a long and exciting ride. Ask us for details.
For the more adventurous among you, the Hotel Montanero in Carataunas co-ordinates many outdoor pursuits such as white water rafting and paragliding. Take the mountain road towards Carataunas, it's on the right hand side. |
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Places to Eat In Orgiva
There is a fun market on Thursdays (finishes at 2pm) and numerous places to eat, have coffee and eat tasty tapas.
Café Libertad: friendly restaurant in the heart of Orgiva, run by English couple offering delicious á la carte menu, clean, not expensive.Situated at the top of Calle Libertad - the road runs parallel to the church (behind Galindo's café).
Barraka: Morrocan cafe near the market area. Delicious falafel, showarma kebabs, Baklava honey-drenched pastries, traditional Indian chai tea, home made ice cream, ambient music.Closes 8pm.Closed on Mondays.
Pizzeria Almazara: 53 Avenida Gonzales Robles (main street of Orgiva) : great pizzas and salads, outside dining under the orange grove (closed Mondays)
El Limonero: restaurant run by Canadian chef
Alma Alpujarrena: Traditional Alpujarra food i.e. sopa de ajo (garlic soup), tortilla (potato omelette) and paella. Avenida Gonzales Robles (main street, opposite Pizzeria)
Al Andaluz: Moroccan tea shop with sticky sweet cakes and delicious selection of teas and chai. Situated in the main street opposite the Alma Alpujarrena and Pizzeria parking.
Galindos: Good coffee, tostados and pastries. Plaza Garcia Morena, 50 yards after the church, opposite the Farmacia.
Further afield in order of distance from Kaliyoga...
Hotel Montanero on the right hand side after sign to Carataunas: delicious, adventurous food, great gazpacho and fish. Run by Caroline (french) and Enrique (spanish).
El Jardin in Pitres: delicious vegetarian food made by Jane, .English chef and owner.
L'Atelier in Mecina Fondales: french chef, delicious vegetarian food.
Casa Ibero in Capileira: owner chef.
Cyber Monfi Café in Bubion: Morrocan restaurant with internet facility
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SIESTA - EVERYTHING CLOSES BETWEEN 2pm - 5pm
Banks: Open in Orgiva 0900 – 1400 (Mon to Fri) cashpoints: La Caixa, Banco de Andalucia, Telebanco
Post Office: (correos) Open in Orgiva 0900-1400 Mon to Fri, 0900 – 1300 Sat (they sell stamps)
Orgiva Market: Every Thursday, located at the top of town just past the town hall, until 1400
Pharmacy (Farmacia) The main one, Farmacia (big green sign) is on the high street opposite the church, the other is homeopathic called Parafarmacia de Orgiva (ask Rosie for directions)
Shops
Open 0930 – 1400 Mon to Sat, 1730 – 2030 Mon to Fri Only
Supermercado Alpujarra: The ‘Tesco’ of the Alpujarras, Avenida Gonzales Robles 6
Gerardo’s Panaderia (German Bakery) Calle Lora Tamayo, 20 (try their Empanadillas – pies!)
Camac Health Foods: Calle Real, 23 (good imports – closes at 2pm for the day)
Herbolario Health Foods: local produce and hippy gift items (ask Rosie for directions)
Doctors (hopefully not needed but just in case)
Health Centre (Centro de Salud) open 24 hours Follow "Green Cross" Signs through Town
Dr Axel Thieke (German doctor 958 881 511)
Dr Rafael Fernandez: 958 784 249 (good local private doctor, reasonable rates)
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