Walking       Granada        Eating Out       Beaches       Driving 

(these links go to sections on this page)

Granada & Beyond

To the North of Melegis sprawls Granada with its famous gem of Moorish architecture The Alhambra Palace, now a world heritage site.  Elsewhere in the city are fine examples of Spanish architecture spanning the centuries of Spanish history.  It was in Granada in 1492 that the last Moorish king Boabdil finally surrendered to the Christians during the re-conquest of Spain.  It was also in Granada that Ferdinand and Isabella granted Christopher Columbus sponsorship to seek the New World.

The high peaks of the Sierra Nevada, Valeta, Mulhacen and Alcazaba rise to 3,400 metres (11,000 feet) and provide an ever changing backdrop to the landscape of Granada.  Driving east it is easy to access the mountain range for skiing in the winter and walking at other times - all within easy reach of the holiday home.  Here there are spectacular and challenging walks for the fit, and the less fit, with breathtaking scenery at all times of the year.

For shopping & culture, Granada is the centre for the region.  It has all the shops that you would expect to find in a major city, as well as several very large supermarkets, but be prepared for shops in the city to be closed between 2 and 4 or 5 in the afternoon.  The majority will then remain open into the evening.  Granada hosts many concerts and cultural events that are easily accessible.  Restaurants are plentiful.

Within a day’s return car journey lie the city of Cordoba with its unique Mezquita, and the towns of Antequera and Jaen, each offering plenty of other sightseeing opportunities.

 The Alhambra in Granada

Melegís has 2 restaurants within walking distance of Casa Larga.  Los Narranjos is a mere 5 minutes walk away.  In the nearby adjacent towns of Lecrin and Talara there are more bars and restaurants.  These restaurants offer variations on local cooking.  The meals are usually very tasty and straightforward.  The hosts are always happy to explain the menus, but an understanding of some Spanish can be helpful.  The restaurants in Granada are very good and there are several excellent inexpensive places to be found for lunch.  Meals in the main piazzas where restaurants have tables outside under umbrellas can be expensive, but you do get to see the local color. 

And don’t forget that even small villages often boast a bar that will also serve a local  meal inexpensively.

Beaches

The beaches of Costa Tropical are 30 minutes drive from Melegís.  To the West, there are many popular beaches, some of which like Salobreña and Nerja, have interesting towns to explore. 

The beaches range from wide-open stretches of sand near to popular busy towns on the coast, to secluded little coves found at the end of unsigned tracks with surprisingly good black sand beaches and excellent swimming.  Some of these beaches have their own rustic restaurants.

Costa Tropical Beach

Driving

Driving is easy in the rural areas, but it is better to always drive defensively and expect to find a herd of goats, a mule or a car on your side of the road – going in any direction.  The main Motril/Granada road is a major highway providing fast access from coast to city.  Parking is easy in the larger villages, but some of the smaller villages have central car parks as the streets are very narrow.  There are several large car parks underground in Granada that are easy to find – particularly during siesta time!

There are many dramatic places accessible on un-made roads - 4x4 vehicles only!