More Lecrin Valley Tourist Information:

See our Lecrin Valley Properties

Pools

Several of the bars/restaurants in the area also have pools (open between mid-June and mid-September). Here are some of them:

Restaurant Acropolis in Lecrin (heading out of the valley, go straight over at the 'Bar Garvi' crossroads in Lecrin & its on the left).

Hotel Castillo Alcadima, C/ General Rodrigo, Lanjaron (heading into Lanjaron turn right just before the Hotel Paris). The pool, with spectacular views, is open to visitors who purchase a meal.

El Puntal in Padul has a free pool, restaurant & facilities for children. Drive from Durcal towards Granada on the N 323A & at the first sign for Padul (opp restaurant 'El Cruce') turn left. After 500m. there is a green sign (piscina) on the left, & the pool is further back on the right.

Suspiro del Moro, further along the N323A towards Granada, has 2 pools in a pleasant setting, which can be used for a small fee.

La Malaha about 15 miles away has a thermal pool with restaurant/bar & appears to be open throughout the summer.

There are water parks at Almunecar, Almeria & Granada. See www.aquaola.com There is also a shallow lake (Lake Bermejales) within easy reach if you take the camino forestal road from Albuñuelas to Alhama de Granada & natural thermal pools in Alhama de Granada itself.

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Restaurants

In Spain the main meal is between 2.00 & 3.00 pm & evening meals (especially in the summer)are served late (around 8.00 to 10.00 pm). The Lecrin Valley has many interesting restaurants to try. Here are a few of them...

Durcal - Follow the 'high street' northwards towards Padul to find Restaurante Bio-Durcal, a lovely, converted mill on the banks of the Rio Durcal The cooking is good, & the trees provide cooling summer shade.

Lecrin - Bar Garvi, on the crossroads at Talara/Lecrin is a traditional bar with a restaurant section next door serving good local food.

Niguelas -Alqueria de los Lentos, is another picturesque converted mill. (Closed Mondays).

Melegis - Los Naranjos has great views over the valley & serves excellent local food, & tapas(closed Weds).

Conchar - La Huertacilla, overlooking the gorge of the Rio Durcal, has a lovely terrace.

Restabal- Bar Jovi is a cracking tapas and raciones venue. Restabal can also offer the Capellania de Alconada set in a traditional house arranged around a Patio Andaluz - this restaurant also has terraces with lovely views.

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Golf

There are two golf courses in Granada and plenty more within reasonable driving distance such as the one at Motril on the Costa Tropical 9 holes). The 18 hole Granada Club de Golf is signposted from Armilla. No reservations necessary. Clubs can be hired and if you play in the morning, the cost for 18 holes is approximately 20 euros (more on Sundays and festivals).

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Skiing

Skiing is available at the Sierra Nevada ski resort. At over 9000 ft it is one of the highest resorts in Europe and can be reached within about 45 mins depending on conditions. Ski hire and ski passes are available either in the resort itself or in the centre of Granada, next to the regular bus stop for the Granada-Sierra Nevada bus. An international ski school is available on site. There are 70km of ski runs, 45 pistes (with more than enough variety to suit all levels), 300 snow machines and views of Africa from the top. Night skiing by floodlight! For more information on both winter & summer activities (such as mountain-biking, white water rafting, trekking and canyoning)in the Sierra Nevada see www.cetursa.es

Fishing

The beautiful Lecrin Valley is a great base for fishing. Expect to catch large wild carp, stillwater barbel to double figures, American black bass, trout and who knows what else.

Alternatively, stay in one of our beautiful new apartments in Güejar Sierra and explore the nearby Embalse de Quentar (north-east of Granada & further into the Sierra Nevada). It has steep sides but with several flat areas ideal for a range of fishing styles. A little further still on the same road is the Embalse de Frederico Abellan This is bigger and more open in aspect with large shallow coves all round Both have carp, barbel, trout and bass & the restaurant built into the cliffs at the Frederico Abellan has a fantastic view to boot.

The most difficult aspect of fishing in Andalucia is obtaining a license and as the local police are also water bailiffs it is imperative that it is obtained before you travel because it takes at least three weeks to be issued.

Our keyholder Ken Silverlock is the local expert and can organise fishing holidays if required. Please contact him directly on ken@fishinginspain.co.uk & quote Aden Sol y Nieve Propiedades.

Walking

Step outside the front door of any of our houses in Albuñuelas and you have already taken the first step on one of the world's 'great walks' - the epic GR7 route (crossing the continent of Europe from Algeciras to Istanbul) literally passes our doorstep. This is the same route taken by Europe's first mapmakers Al Idrisi and Leo the African.

If your ambitions are more modest there are many beautiful and rewarding sights within easier reach. The Valley abounds with the ruins of Moorish castles (alcazares) and watchtowers (atalayas)and the Moorish kings of Granada are said to buried among the ruins of the castle at Mondujar.

For wildlife enthusiasts there are mountain goats, wild boar and breeding pairs of eagles.

For water lovers there are the tranquil shores of the Embalse de Beznar and, on clear days, hardy climbers can enjoy views of Africa from the top of the Sierra de Albuñuelas.

Contact us for further information about where to buy a guide to walks in the area

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Birdwatching

The unspoilt Moorish village of Albuñuelas is a bird watcher's paradise, set in an area of outstanding natural beauty at the head of the Lecrín Valley.

Our village houses, set in a stunning location overlooking the orange groves and the Rio Santo Gorge, offer the perfect base for birdwatching & walking holidays. From the roof terrace one can see the mating pairs of Short toed & Booted eagles soaring over the gorge on a daily basis. It is also possible to spot Bonelli's Eagles. Sadly the Golden & Imperial eagles, which also used to be prevalent in the area are now very rare.

In the right seasons, Griffon Vultures can be seen on migration and BeeEaters, Golden Oriels and Hummingbirds frequent the orange orchards just beyond the house. Nearby in the Tubera at Padul there is breeding colony of the almost extinct Dupont's Lark.

Horse-Riding

Horse-trekking can be arranged locally in Albuñuelas. See www.palmali.net

Diving

The Costa Tropical, & particularly the Cabo de Gato to the West, are great places for snorkelling & diving. For PADI diving courses email Angel Moral Mesaudi on amesaudi@terra.es