Free walking tours in Bayárcal and what to see

Must-sees

Bayárcal is in the Almería Alpujarra, by the border with Granada and at the foot of the La Ragua pass, within the Sierra Nevada Natural Park. At about 1,258 metres, it is the highest village in the province of Almería. Its houses climb the slope with the typical flat roofs and chimneys of Moorish heritage, and among them stands the 16th-century church, with a Mudéjar tower decorated with tiles.

The village's history shows in its layout. It was an important settlement in Moorish times, the church served as a refuge during the Morisco revolt of 1568 and, after the expulsion, it was resettled mainly by people from Jaén. Around it, terraces of chestnut and apple trees and traditional irrigation channels form a landscape that is very green for the area. It is a good base for walking in Sierra Nevada and climbing towards La Ragua.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free tours in Bayárcal, but there are guided adventure activities. The best known is canyoning in the Palancón stream, a descent down the streambed with instructors. You can explore the rest of the village on your own in a short time. The area also has hiking routes in Sierra Nevada and, in winter, snow activities at the La Ragua pass.

How long to spend

The village takes an hour or two. If you go canyoning or do a mountain route, allow a full day. With two or three days you can tour the Almería Alpujarra, through Laujar de Andarax or Paterna del Río, and cross La Ragua to the Marquesado del Zenete and the castle of La Calahorra, on the Granada side.

Where to stay

Bayárcal has rural houses and the odd small place to stay in the village, ideal for those who want silence and cool nights even in summer. Choice is limited, so book ahead in season. Laroles, a few minutes away across the border in Granada, has a little more, and Laujar de Andarax is the alternative with the most services on the Almería side.