Alhama de Granada is an old spa village in Granada Province.

Get in

Bus from Torre del Mar or Vélez-Málaga - both easily reached from Málaga. Car hire from Malaga Airport and train station is also a good, cost effective option, the drive takes around 90 minutes. Car hire from Granada airport is also inexpensive, this drive takes around 40 minutes.

Get around

There is also a bus from Granada to Alhama that runs 4 times a day, check the times on the alsa website, last one is around 6.30 pm. Once in the town, everything you need is in walking distance: fresh fruit and vegetable shops, butchers, supermarkets, fresh fish shops, bars and restaurants.

See

• The Balneario - drop to the bridge over the river Alhama and turn left.
• The Alhama Gorge - stunning views down from the village over an almost sheer slope.
• The monumental area - N.B. the monuments are only open in the morning out of season.
• The Roman Bridge - Just off the side of the road on the way to the Balneario. Dates from 1st century.
• Granada & The Alhambra Palace - Granada is only 40 mins away by car or 90 mins on the bus.

Do

Sporty

Windsurfing, horse riding, hiking, quad biking, go karting, mountain biking, cycling, kayaking.

Swimming in Lake Bermajales (10 km away) - the lake is surrounded by sandy beaches.

Hatha Yoga is readily available in Alhama contact Sami at Asura Yoga for prices, classes and venues.

Swimming pools - there is an open air public pool in town with grassy areas for laying out and one at Pato Loco 3 km steady walk up the gorge. It costs a few euros to use either pool, both are only open in the summer months.

Winter sports - November to April, the slopes are 90 minutes drive away.

To get prices / arrange Windsurfing, hiking, quad biking, go karting, mountain biking, cycling, kayaking, abseiling or skiing contact Terry at Alhambra Rambler

Beaches - The Costa Tropical is a little over an hours drive away, Nerja and it's amazing caves is an hour and 10 minutes away.

Lazy

Spas

There are two spas in the town, both have hotels attached with all the facilities you'd expect. One is at the bottom of the town Balneario de Alhama de Granada near the Roman bridge (20 minute / 3 km easy walk, or 2 minutes in the car) and one is at the top - El Ventorro (30 minute / 4 km steady walk up the gorge or 4 minutes in the car).

Balneario dates back to Roman times (1st century), the thermal waters are 47 degrees C, there is a hotel with a full range of treatments see or you can simply walk down to the river and sit in one of the warm pools for free, there is a small parking fee if you take the car.

Massage - there are many professional masseurs in the town, English and Spanish - some of whom will visit your hotel or rental home. Sports Massage and physiotherapy are also available, so if you pick up an injury while walking or horse riding, cycling or running you can find the perfect treatment.

Recommended reading list - before, during or after your trip

Ornament of the World - How Muslims, Jews and Christians created a culture of tolerance in medieval Spain - Rosa Menocal

Driving Over Lemons - Chris Stewart

The Parrot in the Pepper Tree - Chris Stewart

South from Granada - Gerald Brenan

Guerra - Jason Webster

Al-Andalus - Jason Webster

Duende - Jason Webster

Ghosts of Spain - Giles Tremlett

The New Spaniards - John Hooper

Spain by the Horns: A Journey to the Heart of a Culture - Tim Elliott

It's Not About the Tapas - Polly Evans

The Almond Blossom Appreciation Society - Chris Stewart

Muslim Spain and Portugal: Political History of Al-Andalus - Hugh Kennedy

Casa Moro: The Second Cookbook - Sam Clark and Sam Clark

Moro East - Samantha Clark

Spanish Lessons: How One Family Found Their Place in the Sun - Derek Lambert

Cultural

• Trail Run Spain, Casa de la Inquisition (Located in historic quarter). Varies. Running and Training ‘holidays’ based in the Comarca de Alhama and Poniente Granadino regions of Granada Province, Andalucia. These ‘holidays’ can be as easy or as hard as you wish. They can be used to prepare you for marathons, half marathons, ultras, stage races, races in high temperatures, deserts or altitude. See website. 

Buy

There is a bustling market on a Friday morning, selling fresh local produce, plants, clothes and household stuff.

Fabulous locally produced olive oil, honey, almonds and wine is available to buy in many of the local shops and bars. Ventorro (at the top of the gorge) has a particularly good selection.

a small selection of local arts, crafts and post cards is available at the small tabac on the corner of Plaza Constitution.

Eat & Drink

Bars & Restaurants

Top Square (Plaza de la Constitution)

There are around 38 bars in Alhama de Granada, pretty much all serve food, hot and cold drinks, Some of our personal favourites include:

Ochoa: classic Spanish rural bar, serving great rustic plates of food, local wine and draft beer. Run by Josephina and Paco. This place has very friendly service and in the colder months they place trays of hot olive wood coals (Braseros) under your table to keep you warm. Fantastic! Try a media plate of the Setas (fleshy mushrooms) and the calamari plancha (grilled squid) - both fantastic with a cold beer or drop of tinto verano (red wine and lemonade cooler).

Le Seguriya: proper sit down restaurant, run by Paco and Lola. Great food and relaxed atmosphere. There is a fantastic terrace overlooking the gorge and there are rooms available since it is also a "Hotel Rural".

Meson Diego: Great for 'menu del dia' served every weekday lunchtime - around 8 euros for 2 / 3 courses. The terrace is a suntrap, which is great for most of the year, but it can be a bit hot in summer, there is an air conditioned restaurant inside.

Bar Andalus: Also do a great 'menu del dia' served every weekday lunchtime - around 8 euros for 2 / 3 courses. Again catches the Sun.

Bar Gallega: modern bar, serving great and interesting tapas.

La Boega: Great, down to earth bar, with good breakfasts. Really good, generous tapas.

El Encutentro: Young modern bar that stays open until late.

El Tigre: Is the small bar in the corner of Calle Fuerte and Alta De Mesones. By the top corner of Constitution. In the summer season, they have control of a big space at the top of the square. Antonio the owner has a real flair for classic tapas with a twist.

Al Dente: A very good home made Italian pizza place.

La Crème: This is an ice cream and coffee shop. Also one of the best places in town to get a fresh loaf of bread.

Near the Lower Square

Churreria De Ascencion: Right on the main (Granada) roundabout - the sign over the door says 'Hamburguesa'. Specialize in churros, a sweet Spanish delicacy for breakfast, served in a big spiral of doughnut type thing - cooked fresh whilst you wait. You dip your hot chorros in an amazing, thick, real chocolate drink. An experience you must do at least once, be warned you may have to put the diet on hold for the day. Friendly staff and very clean bathrooms. You can also get a beer here later in the day. Hamburgers look pretty good too.

Bar Rincon: Is next to the children's play area in the bottom square, so is an ideal place to have a drink whilst the keeping an eye on the kids playing a few metres away. Rincon serves all the usual coffee, beer, wine food etc. and is very good.

Tasca Casa Marin: in a little street just behind the 2nd (Loja) roundabout. A little gem of a place specialising in fantastic Iberico ham and mature cheeses - a real foodie paradise.

Cafe 25: Our nineteen year old 'city wise' daughter loves this place. Quite loud music and I’m told the ice cream is great!

Rafa bar: Is the place where all the teenage kids hang out, table football and pool. Usually doesn't get going until 10.30 apparently.

Internet café: on Carretera Loja right hand side walking out of town, around 50 metres from the second roundabout.

Restaurants up the gorge by the small lake

El Ventorro: They serve very very good food in this restaurant it is 25 minutes walk from town up the gorge, or a 5 minute drive. There is a biggish menu, we had the menu del dia, which was excellent. They have recently opened a spa facility here, which is great. 15 euros for a couple of hours of steam, pool, jacuzzi etc... or treat yourself with a massage for an extra 15 euros. There is a half price day on Tuesdays. You will usually need to book ahead here as space is limited.

Pato Loco: Huge restaurant with a huge swimming pool, food is good.

Sleep

There is a good selection of rental properties on the owners direct website. Local hotels are relatively small but all adequate. There is one hotel with spectacular gorge views called Le Seguiriya. Just outside town there is a good hotel and spa with excellent restaurant called El Ventorro.

Go next

• Granada is famous for Alhambra and other historical buildings.