TOWNS AND VILLAGES

ILLORA, 30km to the northwest of Granada, is the largest town in the area with a population of around 6000 and is the administrative centre for the district.  A lively town, it has it’s own medical centre, a good selection of shops and a great choice of bars and restaurants.  It also boasts it’s own large, open-air swimming pool with lots of grassy lawns for picnics or sunbathing and a nice open-air restaurant serving a good choice of food and drink.  It also has a taxi rank and a regular bus service into Granada so getting around without the car is no problem.  Built on the slopes of the Sierra Parapanda it is a maze of steep, narrow streets and alleys giving it a lovely old village feel and atmosphere.  Perfect for wandering around in the cool of an evening to see if you can stumble across some of the 50 plus bars it’s rumoured to have.  Only 1 hour from the beach and the Sierra Nevada and, 30 minutes from Granada and the airport, this is the ideal spot to base yourself to make the most of what the region has to offer.

ALOMARTES, BRACANA AND TOCON are 3 near neighbours to the west of Illora with Alomartes being the nearest and biggest of the 3 with a population of around 2000.  All 3 have a more rural, village atmosphere than Illora and each has it’s own distinct appeal and charm.  Nestled between Alomartes and Bracana you will find the charming little hamlet of La Loma.  If you’re looking for a proper country retreat then this is the spot.  However, for the true rural idyll, head off into the Sierras overlooking this whole area and you will find a vast array of secluded, individual properties from large fincas (estates), cortijos (farm houses), villas and ruins.  Surrounded by beautiful countryside, secluded and with spectacular views this is where people come to live out their dreams.  Only 15 mins from Illora, you are still within easy reach of all amenities.

PINOS PUENTE, OBIELAR AND ESCOZNAR are 3 near neighbours to the east of Illora, heading back towards Granada.  If you take the old road from Illora to Granada you will pass through the sleepy village of Obeilar, with Escoznar nestled in the olive groves below it.  Pinos Puente, the largest of the 3, is reached via the main Cordoba highway and is much closer to Granada.  It has an excellent open-air swimming pool, fed by natural spring water, and has a large supermarket and some great restaurants.

Of course the list of towns and villages around the region is endless and I am sure you will discover many of them for yourself on your travels, however, it’s worth mentioning a few of the most noteworthy.  To the north Montefrio and Moclin are both renowned for their spectacular locations, perched high on peaks with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.  To the south lies Alhama de Granada, a pretty spa town perched precariously on the edge of the gorge carved by the beautiful Rio Alhama, after which the town is named.  To the west you will find Loja and Riofrio, both dominated by water, with spectacular water falls and excellent trout fishing.