General information about Andalucia and the Sierra Nevada / Alpujarra area |
| Kaliyoga is located in rural countryside near the market town of Orgiva which lies in the Alpujarra mountain range between Granada city and the Mediterranean coast. Transfers from Granada airport take about an hour by car, and under 2 hours from Malaga airport. |
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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 and activities
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 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 night club 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. WALKING: Our friends at Bootlace.com are mad about hiking and have many years' experience in the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarra mountains. Contact Fiona for a made to measure adventure +34 676 709 659
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Moorish white villages in the Alpujarra mountains
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Coast & Beaches
Kaliyoga is approx 25 mins from the coast and another 20 mins takes you to our favourite beach, a nudey beach with good tavernas and massage. 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 and park at the top, then take the mini bus or walk. 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: closed in December 2009 until further notice.
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): 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.
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SIESTA - EVERYTHING CLOSES BETWEEN 2pm - 5pm
Banks: Open in Orgiva 09:00 – 14:00 (Mon to Fri) cashpoints: 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)
Doctors (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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