Authentic Las Alpujarras Villages Day Trip, Granada

Explore the unique and authentic La Alpujarra region, a group of villages just outside Granada in the southern part of the Sierra Nevada mountains. These hamlets still preserve the ancient ways of life and traditions with origins dating to when Spain was Al-Andalus, a Muslim-ruled part of the Iberian Peninsula. You'll visit the three main villages, including Bubión, Pampaneira, and Capileira. Walk through the streets, learn about the history and gastronomy of the area, explore traditional houses, and visit museums.

Spain's La Alpujarra region offers the perfect opportunity to learn about the area's history and view an authentically traditional way of life. You'll find this group of villages about 1.5 hours from Granada, tucked into the Sierra Nevada mountains. Known as the "last stronghold of the Moors," these towns date back to when the Iberian Peninsula was under Muslim rule. Historically, La Alpujarra was also home to the outlaws or bandits who inspired the well-known Bandoleros of the Andalusian mountains and whose adventures became legends and literary tales.

Though the Moors departed the Iberian Peninsula, you'll still find many of their cultural habits throughout Spain, especially in the southern regions. This is a testament to cultural significance and resilience. The best evidence of this is in La Alpujarra, where residents have preserved the cultural habits, buildings, gastronomy, and traditions of this time. There's no history without food in these villages, so enjoy tasting the typical products of the area, including cheese and chocolate. 

On today's excursion, you'll visit the most representative villages in Las Alpujarras: Bubión, Pampaneira, and Capileira. You'll start in Pampaneira, a small town of only 300 inhabitants. Quaint and traditional, the village exists with a soundtrack of water, with its central fountain and ingenious waterway, Calle del Agua, a street carrying water through the town. Discover why water was so essential to Muslim culture and the history of Pampaneira, then enjoy some time perusing the shops selling artisan goods. Don't miss the famous jarapas, woven textiles with colorful designs and patterns beloved by locals and visitors. 

The next stop is Bubión, where your guide will reveal the "War of the Alpujarras." This was a fundamental time, as the Muslims who converted to Christianity rebelled against the Kingdom of Granada as it tried to apply taxes and restrictions on them. Eventually, the uprising escalated into a war, and this population was expelled from the area. You'll also visit the Casa Museo de la Alpujarra to understand the area's traditional way of life and how residents work hard to keep these customs alive.

End the day in Capileira, the highest village at nearly 5,000 feet (1,436 m) in elevation. The town offers incredible views of the mountains and natural surroundings, and you'll have free time to enjoy the shops and vistas on your own and stop for lunch. Your guide is happy to offer recommendations on where to eat. Afterward, you'll return to Granada.