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The Alpujarras - area, climate, activities, access

Information on this page

• The area and amenities
• The climate

• Activities and excursions
• Getting to Casa Ana

The area and local amenities

The Alpujarras is a stunningly beautiful mountain area on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada range in Andalucia. It is situated about 90 minutes drive south from the historic city of Granada, and the same distance north of the Mediterranean sea.

To explore the Alpujarras is to step back in time. For many centuries the area was populated by the Moors who left their mark on the landscape: everywhere you look there are terraced fields, mediaeval mule paths and an incredibly sophisticated, hand-constructed irrigation system with hundreds of kilometres of water channels (acequias) and tiny reservoirs (alberquas).

For a thousand years these have provided water from the high sierras to every village and every meadow, almond grove and vegetable garden in the area. This system is still in use today.

The Alpujarras is famous for its white villages, clinging precariously to the mountainsides. This too shows the legacy of the Moors: the jumbles of flat-roofed, rammed earth dwellings are not seen anywhere else in Spain but closely resemble the building style of the Atlas mountains of Morocco.

For anyone who enjoys walking, horseback riding or mountain biking, the Alpujarras is a paradise of winding paths and stunning views. It is also renowned for the abundant variety of its flora and fauna - the Sierra Nevada is home to more than 2,100 plant species, over 80 of them unique, and many rare species of butterflies, insects, and birds. See more information on the enormous variety of butterflies in the Sierra Nevada, including a list of over 60 butterflies seen in one week's visit.

"Casa Ana provided us with a very relaxing holiday in excellent butterfly terrain and I can recommend the venue without hesitation. Anne was the perfect host" Peter & Jacqueline Kirby, 2008

Local facilities include:

• Bar and tea-shop in Ferreirola, a couple of minutes’ walk from Casa Ana
• Easy access to other local bars and restaurants
• Bank, pharmacy, supermarket and bakery all available in the nearby village of Pitres
• Fruit and vegetable market nearby on Tuesdays and Fridays
• Gift shops, crafts and Alpujarran produce in the local villages
• Swimming pool nearby (summer months)

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The climate

Las Alpujarras has one of the best climates in Europe and is perfect to visit at any time of year. There are at least 320 days of sunshine per year and the humidity is low. There are long hours of daylight and even in winter it stays light until 6 oclock.

Winter temperatures are fairly warm during the day (around 12 °C) and chilly, sometimes cold, at night. From March onwards, temperatures start to climb into the twenties, and by mid July the afternoons are hot (around 35 °C) but the house with its 2ft thick walls is deliciously cool inside, and the garden and terraces catch the fresh westerly breezes that waft up the river valley. Temperatures start to drop again from late August.

Average Monthly Figures:
January 12°C, February 14°C, March 17°C, April 20°C
May 22°C, June 26°C, July 32°C, August 36°C
September 26°C, October 20°C, November 17°C, December 14°C

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Activities and excursions

Many activities are available in the area and Anne will be happy to help you book them. Choose from:

Outdoor activities

• Walking – maps and guidebooks available at Casa Ana
• Mountain hikes – with or without guide
• Rock climbing
• Horse riding
• Mountain biking
• Swimming (in summer)
• Canyoning
• Canoeing
• Paragliding
• Nature watch: butterflies, wild flowers and herbs, birds

Winter activities (in the high Sierra Nevada mountains)

• Skiing – downhill skiing – cross country
• Guided walks with snow shoes
• Dog sleds

By the sea

• Sailing
• Scuba diving

Indoor activities

• Yoga classes
• Pottery classes
• Belly dancing classes
• Bodywork treatments (see Movement-for-Life)

Excursions from Casa Ana

• The Alhambra in Granada (half-day trip). World-famous Moorish fortress, Nazari palaces and gardens
• The Arab Baths in Granada. Hot and cold baths plus a steam room
• A day on the beach: the nearest beach is at Salobreña, just over an hour’s drive away
• Buddhist retreat in the mountains. The Osel Ling Buddhist retreat centre welcomes day guests in the afternoons
• 4-wheel drive excursions into the Sierra Nevada National Park

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Getting to Casa Ana

Casa Ana is located on the edge of the small village of Ferreirola in the Alpujarras. Access is easy: less than 90 minutes from Granada airport and 2.5 hours from Malaga airport. Taxis and buses are available, although you may prefer to come by car.

The address is Casa Ana, Calle Artesa, Ferreirola, 18414 La Taha de Pitres, Granada (Province). The nearest main road is the A-4132 running from Órgiva to Trevélez (and beyond), and the nearest main village is Pitres, situated some 5km away on the A-4132.

By air: Granada airport is only a 1.5 hour drive away, and Malaga airport, 2.5 hours. Many budget airlines operate daily direct flights including Ryanair (to Granada) and Easyjet, Bmibaby, Flybe, British Airways, Iberia and many others (to Malaga).

From the airport: taxis, minibus and car hire are available from both airports and there are regular buses to a nearby village. We can book transport for you in advance.

Car parking: free parking is available in the plaza, just a minute's walk away from the house.

For information and bookings contact Anne at Casa Ana: Tel: 0034 958 766 270; mobile: 0034 678 298 497; email: info@casa-ana.com. We speak English and Spanish.