Things to do

Activities in an around the Lecrin Valley are hugely varied – below is a list of just some of the activities you will be able to enjoy…

Perfect for walkers, cyclists, families, gourmet travellers and skiiers (in the winter!), twitchers and anyone else who loves the countryside, but likes being near amenities, the valley has wonderful views up to the snow caps of the Sierra Nevada, across to hills towards the coast, and down through the Lecrin Valley’s beautiful green landscape to Lake Beznar, a bright turquoise reservoir surrounded by walks, recreation areas and orchards.

The lake is great for fishing and allows non-motorised watersports, being accessed from Beznar village.

CYCLING: It’s a really popular area for cyclists of all abilities and levels of dedication. There are a few cycling sites you can find on Google, but try this one first off for routes etc. http://www.lecrinvalleycycling.tk/

FIESTAS: The Spanish love a good fiesta. And they go all out for it with fireworks, processions, paellas, tortillas, fun fair, concerts etc etc. They can last all week and go on well into the wee hours.  Fiestas in the valley run pretty much all year round.

FLAMENCO: Must see while you’re near to Granada. http://www.granadaesflamenco.com/.  There are also sometimes Flamenco concerts/shows around the Valley and there are often shows in the Generalife.

GOLF: There are several golf courses within 30 minutes of The Lecrin Valley.

• In between Salobrena and Motril on the Costa Tropical is Los Moriscos golf course. It’s an 18 hole, links course with a driving range, club house and restaurant. www.moriscosgolf.com.  Urbanización Playa Granada  18600 Motril. 958 82 55 27
• About 1/2 hour drive from the Valley is the Medina Elvira golf club at Atarfe. This is an 18 hole championship golf course with superb recreational facilities attached. Carretera de Caparacena,18230 Atarfe. 958 06 00 36
• Santa Clara www.santaclaragolfgranada.com is an 18 hole TPC, with a golf academy, driving range, spa, gym and restaurant. Located at Otura – 10 minutes south of Granada and 10 minutes north from the Lecrin Valley.
• Granada Club de Golf, Las Gabias.  A par 71, 18 hole golf course at Las Gabias – 8 kilometers to the east of Granada City and about 20 minutes from The Lecrin Valley.www.granadaclubdegolf.com/. Camino de los Corsarios  18110 Las Gabias. T: 958 58 44 36.
• Gordon James, ex Golf Pro and PGA trained golf coach, lives in Lanjaron and is available for coaching T 635 373 200 or email golfguy@hotmail.com

HORSE-RIDING: In the beautiful Lecrin Valley and Alpujarras there are a few options.

• A great one in Lanjaron (Alpujarras and only about 30 mins from the Valley- http://www.caballoblancotrekking.com
• Also in the valley (Albuñuelas) is Caballos Palmali www.caballospalmali.es.

MARKETS: All the larger towns and villages have one or two a week, which brings together all the local producers of everything edible from the area.  To find out Market Days, click here for South From Granada’s page on Weekly Markets.

The biggest ones are Durcal – Wednesday and Padul – Friday. Granada has a market on Saturdays and Sundays.

SIGHT-SEEING: Granada City has heaps of history and culture and of course the amazing Alhambra Palace. Book online a couple of days in advance. Buy tickets here.

For other sight-seeing options go to:

1. Granada Tourist: www.granadatourist.com
2. Lonely Planet: www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/granada
3. Love Granada: http://www.lovegranada.com
4. Turism Granada: www.turgranada.es
5. Andalucia Tourism: http://www.andalucia.org/

SKIING: Sierra Nevada ski resort, Sol y Nieve, is an hour away with full range of pistes for all abilities. Long ski season from Nov-Apr. For info: http://sierranevada.es/

TAPAS TOURS: Granada is the home of Tapas of course, so you must try a tour with Granada Tapas Tours – www.granadatapastours.com. Their book is great and also co-written by Lecrin Valley resident, Vernon!

TENNIS: Local courts are in some of the villages, e.g. Murchas, Lecrin, Chite (where you get the net from the “club” opposite the campo) – booked for 2-3 euros / hour from the Ayuntamiento in Lecrin (usually open from 9.30-3 or 2pm in the summer holidays) – you just go in there, book your time slot and pay. plus a good club in Otura (15 minutes towards Granada from the Valley near the golf club) – www.garros.es.

WALKING: The Lecrin Valley, Alpujarras and Sierra Nevada is hugely popular with walkers from all over the world. Check out http://www.treksierranevada.com/walks/start-point/lecrin-valley for suggested walks and downloadable maps.

WATERSPORTS: The valley now has a fabulous watersports centre at Beznar.

Aventura Alpujarra has all sorts of water sports for all ages, plus equipment hire, kids holiday camps etc. Plus a great waterside cafe!

There are also lots of other watersports down on the coast at Salobrena, Almunecar and La Herradura (all within 30 minutes drive).

WATERPARKS: If the kids need an outing there are a couple of great water parks open July/August in Granada and Almunecar. http://www.aquaola.es/ and http://www.aqua-tropic.com.

1. Aquatropic is right on the coast at the Eastern end of Almunecar at Playa de Velilla
2. Aquaola is just outside Granada on the Alhambra side at Cenes de la Vega (turn right at the big roundabout as you head towards the Alhambra instead of left up to the Alhambra itself).