Activities and things to do on holiday in Andalucia, inland Spain

The countryside surrounding Al-Queria has a rugged beauty and offers exceptional variety from craggy cliffs to fertile, rolling valleys.

Get away from traffic congestion and drive on uncrowded roads through the hills and valleys cloaked with olive trees, conifers and oak.

Follow designated walking routes in the area with free guide maps available or just take a relaxed stroll through the olive groves directly from Al-Queria. If you need a purpose to your walk, our dogs would be only too pleased to join you.

Bird watchers will be delighted at the variety of species locally with Griffon vultures regularly visible from their roosts at Fuentes de Cesna.

Local villages

Fuentes de Cesna is our nearest village, just 5 minutes away and has local bars, a restaurant, small shops, a baker, a large swimming pool (open July/August) and a Friday market.

The ancient, abandoned village of Fuentes Viejas has natural springs from which it gets it's name and is set in a delightful park. There is an ancient stone lavadero at the springs where local women once washed their clothes and some still do !

Algarinejo pueblo is just 15 minutes away with bars, restaurants (including Piolas, one of the best in Granada province), banks with ATM, shops, a grand church, an old Andalus quarter, Saturday market, plus lots of history.

See www.turismoalgarinejo.com (a good site in English or Spanish) for greater detail of the whole area.

Iznajar pueblo is set on a hill overlooking the 32 kilometre Iznajar lake, "El Pantano de Iznajar". The village has steep streets, a Moorish castle, fabulous views and traditional Spanish charm.

There is a lakeside restaurant with an open air terrace overlooking the lake as well as many other bars and restaurants in the village and surrounding area.

Local towns

Rute is a large village and apart from a good selection of shops, supermarkets and banks, it has a huge variety of bars and restaurants as well as a couple of notable museums. There is even a donkey sanctuary in the pine forest just outside the town and if you are so inclined, you can climb to the top of La Sierra de Ruté (1325 metres) for magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.

The nightlife is lively and there is a seemingly endless stream of processions and fiestas. Rute's main claim to fame is the production of anis liquor and traditional Andalusian confectionery.

There is even free entertainment in the parks during the summer months.

Priego de Córdoba, a large baroque town, is just 45 minutes away and is well worth a visit for it's many historical sights, sophisticated charm and Moorish quarter with castle. www.turismodepriego.com

Antequera has many places of interest including El Torcal nature park, the Wolf park and the Fuente de Piedra flamingo lagoon. It is about 50 minutes drive with these attractions a few minutes further.

Cities

Granada city is perhaps, best known for the Alhambra Palace and gardens and is just over an hour by road. The Alhambra organisation restrict numbers of visitors in the high season and we recommend that you book tickets at www.alhambra.org (this site in English with other languages available) prior to your visit. Granada city may be viewed from an open-topped bus ride which leaves from the Alhambra site.

Granada offers much more than palaces and gardens with the Albaicin district offering narrow streets and courtyard houses and the city centre itself with it's lively and sophisticated atmosphere.

The city of Cordoba is home to the Mezquita (a Moorish mosque with a later cathedral inside) and you can also take a horse carriage ride around the sights of the city.

The Roman bridge, old Jewish quarter and the Alcazar castle with gardens, make Cordoba a must visit destination.

During May, the world famous patios are lush with flowers and are worth a visit in their own right. www.turismodecordoba.org

Eating out

There are traditional bars with tapas, simple Andalusian "comedors" as well as high quality restaurants including Piolas, one of the best in Granada province, just 15 minutes away in Algarinejo.

On weekdays, most restaurants serve "menu" which is an inexpensive Andalusian lunch consisting first and second plates followed by a sweet course and including a drink and coffee. These are very good value at between 7 and 10 euros and are an excellent way to try wholesome, home cooked, Andalusian food.

Most of our local bars serve tapas with a drink without charge and the standard of these home made tapas is usually extremely good.

There are many restaurants nearby or within a short drive from Al-Queria which provide good food at reasonable prices.

Seasons

Spring brings carpets of wild flowers to the hillsides and with the olive harvest almost finished, this is a great time to walk through the countryside, to sit in a quiet corner reading a book or for sightseeing and exploring.

Summer is our hottest time with almost unbroken sunshine to bathe in or a shady spot to enjoy the warmth. Gentle breezes from the West help to cool you during the day.

Breakfast on the terrace in the morning sun, lazing around the pool, a barbecue in the garden and an evening sitting outside a village bar will help fill your day.

Autumn is great for sightseeing as the summer crowds have gone and you can take your time to soak up the rich culture and history of this part of Andalucia.

The heating in "Al-Queria" cottage will ensure that your days and nights are comfortable and there is still the opportunity to eat outside.

Winter there are days when you can sit in a sunny, sheltered spot or go for an energising walk in the cool, fresh air to work up an appetite.

The olive harvest is in full swing but even the farmers take a break for New Year and the traditional "King's Day" celebrations.

A good time for sightseeing and you can come home to a roaring log fire, cook a meal in the well-fitted kitchen and sleep in a warm bedroom.

Other activities available

Massage & Beauty treatments
Horse riding
Quad biking
Bird watching
Nature walking
Golf

Please ask us for details