La Alpujarra
Head north from the Mediterranean coast or south from Granada and you’ll soon find yourself in La Alpujarra – the name given to the spectacular southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada. You will enter a world of vast hillsides scored with dramatic river gorges and criss-crossed with footpaths between ancient white villages. One of the most unspoilt of these is Ferreirola, where you’ll find Casa Ana.
Things to do
A day in Granada: Visit the Alhambra Palace, shop in the Moroccan quarter, relax in the Arab Baths and explore the city’s tapas bars.
A day on the coast: The nearest beaches are Salobreña and Almuñécar with sea and sand and excellent fish restaurants.
A day in the mountains: Go by car to explore the high mountain slopes of the Sierra Nevada. Visit the white villages of Pampaneira, Capileira and Trevelez for bars, restaurants and shopping.
A day trip to the wineries of the area: This part of Andalucia is an up and coming wine producing area with 35 bodegas (wineries) to choose from and some prize-winning local wines.
More things to do
You can go horse riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, and in summer, swimming. Or visit the peaceful Buddhist retreat centre Osel Ling, high in the mountains. You can see Africa from there.
Indoor activities near Casa Ana include Spanish, music and pottery lessons, yoga and pilates. At the house, book a relaxing massage – our therapist offers deep tissue, Chinese (Tui Na), Indonesian and Thai massages.
Walking in the Alpujarras
Self-guided walks with Casa Ana as your base. La Alpujarra is one of the best walking areas in Spain with miles and miles of footpaths through unforgettable mountain scenery.
Local amenities include:
Bars in Mecina, a 10-minute 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)
The climate
La Alpujarra has one of the best climates in Europe and is good 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 o’clock. 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 (30 – 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.
Temperature chart
| Month | Avg high temp. °C | Avg low temp. °C |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 10 | 2 |
| Feb | 13 | 4 |
| Mar | 18 | 5 |
| Apr | 20 | 6 |
| May | 25 | 12 |
| Jun | 30 | 18 |
| Jul | 32 | 22 |
| Aug | 30 | 20 |
| Sept | 28 | 15 |
| Oct | 20 | 9 |
| Nov | 14 | 6 |
| Dec | 12 | 4 |
“This small village nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains is full of surprises. Wonderful scenery is of course the first thing that hits you: breathtaking mountains, glimpses of the sea in the distance and then Casa Ana itself - secluded and peaceful with a shady rose filled garden and wonderful terraces to relax on and take in the view - a true getaway from the hustle and bustle.”
“This place is beautiful and in Feb the mix of almond blossom, oranges, deserted paths, idyllic villages and tasteful accommodation is hard to beat. Anne has created a great oasis in the hills… A fantastic place for a relaxing holiday with plenty of low key walking and high quality accommodation.”