We cover a search area that is defined roughly by a triangle made up by
drawing a line between Granada, Velez Malaga and Salobrena.
Our carefully selected professional Agents are constantly feeding us i
nformation on available properties within this diverse region.
In fact, the area neatly divides into five regions –
We have received numerous requests to include the area of the Sierra Nevada
ski resort in our service.
We will be happy to do so, once we have been able to complete our research
and appoint appropriate Estate Agents.
Granada City & Suburbs
Granada is a city of amazing heritage and cultural significance.
It is the home of the most visited historic monument in Spain – the Alhambra and the Generalfe.
Granada is located on a fertile plain – Las Vega – which for centuries has seen the cultivating
of a wide ranging and diverse range of crops, from tobacco through to Peaches.
The altitude of the plain is around 640 metres and the back drop to this area is the
Sierra Nevada mountains and the southern most Skiing resort in Europe.
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Granada has a plentiful supply of wonderful churches, monuments and gardens.
Obviously, the crowning glory is seen by many as being the Alhambra.
However – there is much more to Granada than the sumptuous palaces and
gardens that make up this huge complex.
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There is - for example – the ancient Arabic quarter, known as Albaicin.
Characterised by its narrow cobbled lanes and white washed house that seem
to almost touch across the lanes,
the architecture and ambiance is truly wonderful.
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Markets and pavement cafes abound. Most bars offer a selection of tapas
and the choice of restuarants is what you would expect in any great City.
Naturally, the shopping is up to the best international standards –with
all the leading Brands being represented.
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On the Vega plains, there is some first class Urbanisations – with a wide
ranging choice of properties, from chic apartments to grand villas.
Villages such as Otura and Gojar have their own distinctive developments
and offer all the services locally that you will need – as well as
regular and cheap buses into the city.
The airport – now enjoying International status – is but 15 minutes from
the City centre. Both Monarch and Ryanair fly there from a growing number
of UK destinations and there are also national connections across Europe.
There are two established golf courses – with both a large tennis complex
and a further course being developed close to Otura.
The Alhambra Palace
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Alhama de Granada & Lake Bermejales
The point of our focus is the ancient Spa town of Alhama de
Granada . It is situated around 58kms from the City of
Granada and around 36kms from Velez Malaga - which is the
point at which you pick up the Malaga - Motril motorway.
Access from Malaga airport is straightforward and the coast
is but a few kilometers south of Velez Malaga.
Alhama de Granada is less than 30 minutes from Granada Airport.
Alhama de Granada is set in beautiful rolling countryside
and is located at around 900 metres. Famous for the hot
springs or Spas that are dotted around the area, the town
is perched on a hill with a very impressive gorge running
through it. Historically significant, having been occupied
by both the Romans and the Moors in its long history, it
is a town of great charm.
To the north of the town lies the Sierra Tejadas mountain
range. The land surrounding is cultivated, primarily with
Olives, Almonds and Wheat on the plains to the West. For
Skiers, the Sierra Nevada ski resort is a little over an
hour away.
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(A local and ancient church)
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(The Gorge)
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 (The town of Alhama De Granada)
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The villages that cluster around Alhama de Granada and the
nearby lake Bermejales are still very typically Spanish in
both architecture and the way of life. Building development
is strictly controlled throughout this region. Thankfully the
excessive development and high-rise apartment blocks seen
elsewhere have no place here!
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(Alhama De Granada)
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 (The village of
Fornes) |
The area is a paradise for walkers, cyclists, bird watchers
and lovers of nature generally. Being set at around 900 metres,
the temperature is a few degrees cooler than that experienced
on the coast and therefore much more comfortable in the hottest
summer months.
The city of Granada is only 40 minutes north and offers all
the amenities that you would expect in a major City. El Corte
Ingles and Carrefour are two examples of major stores here.
The architecture, culture, ambience and historical significance
of the place is something that you will never grow tired of.
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The Lecrin Valley & Lake Beznar
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The Valley runs due South from close to
Granada to Motril. The Alpujarras – the home of Chris
Stewart, whose book “Driving over Lemons” helped
to make the area so popular – runs off to the East of
the valley.
In the north there are towns such as Durcal and Padul, which
are only 10 minutes or so from Granada. Both of these towns
have thriving light industries and are set at around 600 metres.
Of the two, Padul has the most picturesque old centre. There
are lots of new developments going on, particularly at Padul,
although the urbanisations are being carefully controlled as
regards to their size and locations.
Further south, along the valley there are a rich variety of
villages on both sides of the valley. Here you have very
traditional Spanish mountain villages. Many of them offer
spectacular vistas of the Sierra Nevada and some also overlook
Lake Beznar.
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(Lake Beznar)
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(Lake Beznar - Lecrin Valley)
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In the valley itself, oranges and lemons abound – as
do almond and olive trees. Most of the area is a designated
National Park. Some of the villages, however, offer little
in the way of amenities – although all of them enjoy
the obligatory bread, fish and vegetable vans and their noisy
horns regularly!
The Sierra Nevada offers skiing from late November until
early March and a full selection of outdoor activities
during the summer months. It is easily accessible –
being around 20 minutes by car from Granada.
Motril – at the southern edge - is little more that
10 minutes from the coast (Costa Tropical) and provides all
the amenities of a large commercial centre.
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Costa Tropical
The coast line south of Granada province is known as the Costa Tropical.
It is much less crowded than most parts of the neighboring Costa Del Sol
and is where the Spanish tend to go – to get their “fix” of the seaside.
Here the winter climate is very mild, thanks to the inland mountain ranges
blocking the cold winds that come down from the Sierra Nevada.
The mountains ranges along this coastline do run right down to the sea
and the landscape is made up of a series of coves and some areas of flat
land – at Salobrena for instance. To the west lies La Herradura which is
very attractive – with good quality developments, a marvelous Marina and
many luxury shops. It is very much a cosmopolitan community – with many
northern Europeans choosing to live there alongside their Spanish neighbours.
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The coast line at La Herradura
Also Becoming increasingly popular among expats are the numerous
attractions of the town of Almuñecar. It is a lively seaside resort –
with every amenity available nearby.
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Salobrena Castle
The traditional white village of Salobreña is divided into two halves.
First, you have the Moorish castle and old village, built on a high rocky output.
Alongside it is the newer area of the village, which is built on the
plain and include the beach areas. Sugar cane is still grown next to
the village – as are a variety of fruits and exotic vegetables, such a banana and custard plants.
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Lake Vinuela
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Lake Vinuela is set in a large open valley between the
Colmenar area and to the Axarquia mountains – which
lie further to the south. The Lake - in actual fact a
reservoir – covers a large expanse and features a
large dam at the lower end.
The village of Vinuela lies at the lower end of the lake and
the immediate area surrounding it has been zoned for development.
There are already a large number of villas and many more
plots are still available for building. The developments are
mainly of low density and are visually sympathetic with the
lie of the land. There are large areas of olives and vines
and the lower, flatter, land sees oranges and vegetable
production in abundance.
The surrounding region has numerous villages, such as
Periana, which still reflect a wholly Spanish lifestyle.
Whilst there is some new developments in these villages, it
is strictly controlled and largely in keeping with the community.
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(Lake Vinuela) |
The Lake is around 20 minutes north of Velez Malaga- which
lies just above the Malaga – Motril dual carriageway. The
coastal belt is immediately south of this road. Malaga airport is
around 20 minutes from the Velez Malaga junction.
