The Alhambra Palace

Granada is an hour away and booking is advised as turning up on spec may mean queues. The 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.

Mountain villages

On the road between Orgiva and Lanjaron there is a turning (near BP petrol station) that leads to the most scenic mountain villages. Most accessible are three villages in the Poqueira Valley: Pampaneira, Bubion and Capeleira. They all have cafés and bars, and there are shops selling local produce. There is a funky bar in Bubion called Bar Morisco. Continue up hill past Capeleira and you'll find a flamenco nightclub called Al Catifa, open late 'til late. There is also a lovely mountain spring beyond Capeleira where you can swim in natural stone 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 with the best paella - ask for Marissa.

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.
Barraka: Morrocan cafe near the market area. Delicious falafel, shawarma kebabs, Baklava honey-drenched pastries, traditional Indian chai tea, homemade ice cream, ambient music.Closes 8pm.Closed on Mondays.
Pizzeria Almazara: 53 Avenida Gonzales Robles (main street of Orgiva): outside dining in an orange grove (closed Mondays)
El Limonero Restaurant - calle Yañez 27, off Orgiva high street.
Alma Alpujarreña: Traditional Alpujarra food i.e. sopa de ajo (garlic soup), tortilla (potato omelette) and paella. Avenida Gonzales Robles, Orgiva.
Galindos Cafe: coffee, bread, tostados and pastries. Plaza Garcia Morena, 50 yards after the church, opposite the Farmacia.

Siesta...

SHOPS AND BANKS ARE CLOSED EVERY WEEKDAY FROM 2pm - 5pm

Shops, banks, and commerce

Banks: Open in Orgiva 09:00 – 14:00 (Mon to Fri)
Cash points: La Caixa, Banco de Andalucia, Caja de Granada, Telebanco
Post Office: ('Correos') Open in Orgiva 09:00-14:00 Mon to Fri, 09:00 – 13:00 Sat
Orgiva Market: Every Thursday, located at the top of town just past the town hall, closes at 14:00
Pharmacy (Farmacia) The main one, Farmacia (big green sign) is in the paved plaza near the police office, the other is near the Centro de Salud health centre.
Parafarmacia de Orgiva, homeopathic chemist. The owner, Fran, is a knowledgeable homeopath.Food Shops
Open 09:30 – 14:00 Mon to Sat, 17:30 – 20:30 Mon to Fri Only
Supermercado Alpujarra: The 'Tesco' of the Alpujarras, Avenida Gonzales Robles 6
Gerardo's Panaderia (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)

Medical emergency

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)