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

Location

We are located in the centre of Andalucia near to Lake Iznajar and within easy reach of Granada, Cordoba, Malaga and Antequera for fantastic holiday sightseeing in Andalucia, Spain.

There are three smaller villages, Algarinejo, Fuentes de Cesna and Iznájar, within a few minutes drive all with tapas bars, restaurants, banks and places of interest. Larger pueblos and towns are within 30 minutes for shopping and more.

The area local to Al-Queria cottage has a country park, magnificent views and a slow paced, traditional way of life.

The cottage is along a well maintained track, just 300 metres from a good road.

sketch of part of the pool by Chris Ellis, who was a guest in 2010

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.

Local villages

Fuentes de Cesna just 5 minutes away, is our nearest village 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 still wash their laundry.

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 Algarinejo, Fuentes de Cesna, La Vina and the rest of the area.

Iznajar pueblo is just 15 minutes drive and 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.

Nearby 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. Just 30 minutes drive, 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 at most times 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 at just over an hour away, offers much more than palaces and gardens including the Albaicin district with it's narrow streets and courtyard houses and the lively and sophisticated atmosphere of the city centre.

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

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 cottage.

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