THE TOWN
The closest town, Órgiva, is a very lively, southern Andalusian market-town, picturesquely situated in a large valley in the middle of a wild mountain landscape. Surrounded by rivers, olive and orange groves, it is not a tourist spot, rather a normal village which offers numerous street cafes, bars, restaurants, small shops, a weekly market, an old covert market with fish stalls but also small supermarkets, organic shops, banks, a post office and an emergency hospital.
Orgiva is located in the south-faced slopes of the amazing Sierra Nevada, just 30 minutes away from the beautiful beaches of the Costa Tropical and 45 minutes away from Granada.
Granada is situated just 50km away from the house. Its marvelous and indescribable beauty with breathtaking Moorish-medieval palaces of the Alhambra makes this city one of the true gems of Europe.
Only 7 km away is the traditional spa-town Lanjarón, with its ancient but recently renovated mineral baths offering various wellness services.
THE REGION
The region is characterised by its lush Mediterranean landscape with diverse and fertile vegetation, Europe’s cleanest starry sky and over 300 days of sunshine a year.
Blessed with gorgeous weather all year round (including winter time), this region will give you an endless variety of activities and events and whatever the season is, the region remains lively and vibrant with enjoyable activities. All over the year and across the whole region (mountains and coast), restaurants, cafes and beach bars by the sea are open and will give you the chance to experience our gorgeous gastronomical culture and the Andalusian lifestyle.
The very high peaks of Sierra Nevada provide the region with fresh water, which finds its way by the ‘Acequias’ all along into the terraced fields. Acequias are ancient Moorish irrigation channels built into the rocks which cross the hilts all over the region. There are amazing opportunities to explore the stunning nature with pleasurable walks and hiking tours.
So there is Spain’s largest ski resort and the one with the sunniest days all over Europe. It offers on an altitude between 2000m and 3400m over 120km of wide slopes. High snow, long and wide pistes, reasonable prices and a surprisingly comfortable atmosphere make Sierra Nevada an exceptional ski destination.
The privileged location of this property gives you the unique opportunity to choose between going skiing in the Sierra Nevada, enjoying the urban and cultural buzz of Granada, sunbathing on the beach, hiking and exploring the local nature or staying in the house having a barbecue in the garden.
THE CULTURE
The nearly 800-year-long period Moorish and Arab culture has influenced the landscapes of Alpujarra more than any other Spanish regions. The culture of the Arabs is reflected in the architecture, in arts and crafts, music and cooking. But above all, the Arabs cultivated the land, built terraces and irrigation ditches, and brought a variety of plants and fruits from the East that shaped the landscape until the present days. Órgiva is known for its millenary olive trees with their powerful, distinctive gnarled trunks, some which were planted even by the Romans. Today there is in interesting addition to the old traditions an alternative and refreshing culture of artists, craftspeople, organic farmers, organic groceries shops, Arabian tea rooms, halal food shops, yoga and flamenco schools and a Buddhist center.
CULINARY HIGHLIGHTS
Spain is a gourmet’s paradise and a country that enjoys the pleasure of food.
So varied and colourful the country, so varied and colourful the dishes. The cuisine of the Alpujarra lives from the pure and natural flavor of its autochthonous products due to the unique combination of different altitudes, temperatures, natural waters and microclimates. As such, its cuisine oozes of delicious and vibrant taste. There is a vast myriad of yummy stews including rice dishes similar to genuine paella, air-dried mountain ham, salamis, chorizos, mountain cheese, seafood, fresh vegetables and egg dishes, and other local treats which are considered world-class foods. Many of these specialties are served as tapas (scrumptious nibbles that come for free with a drink – beer, glass of wine or sherry). Enjoy!