Free walking tours in Capileira and what to see

Must-sees

Capileira is the highest village in the Poqueira gorge, in the Alpujarra of Granada, and the last before the peaks of Sierra Nevada. Its appeal lies in the whole: narrow, steep streets, white houses with flat launa-clay roofs, rounded chimneys and covered passages called tinaos. As you stroll you will hear the water in the irrigation channels, which still water the terraces as they have for centuries.

In the centre is the church of Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza, and close by the Museo Alpujarreño de Artes y Costumbres Populares, which shows what a traditional house was like. From the village viewpoints you can see the whole gorge, with Bubión and Pampaneira below and Veleta and Mulhacén in the background. It is worth walking down to the river Poqueira on one of the waymarked paths.

Free tours and guided visits

In such a small village, free walking tours are rare. The usual offer here is guided visits to the three villages of the Poqueira gorge, explaining Alpujarra architecture, the irrigation system and the area's Morisco history. Many of them leave from Granada as full-day trips.

If you like the mountains, guided hikes through the gorge start from Capileira and, in summer, an interpretation service climbs by track towards the high peaks, the starting point for climbing Mulhacén. Horse rides are also popular, as are visits to Trevélez, known for its hams, combined with other Alpujarra villages.

How long to spend

Three or four hours are enough for the village itself: an unhurried stroll through the streets, the museum and a viewpoint or two. What takes more time is the surroundings. With a full day you can add Pampaneira and Bubión and do a short walk in the gorge. If you are coming to walk or want to climb Mulhacén, allow at least two or three days and leave some margin in case the mountain weather does not cooperate.

Where to stay

Capileira is a good base for exploring the upper Alpujarra, because it is quieter in the evening and has direct access to the mountain routes. The most convenient choice is to stay in the lower part of the village, near the road, where parking is easier, although the rural houses further in have more atmosphere. Pampaneira and Bubión, a few minutes away, are good alternatives if you want more choice.