Free walking tours in Guadix and what to see

Must-sees

Guadix is one of the oldest towns in the province of Granada, and you notice it as you stroll. The cathedral, built over the old mosque, combines Gothic, Renaissance and a richly worked Baroque façade. Very close are the arcaded Plaza de la Constitución, the Palacio de Peñaflor and the church of Santiago, with a Plateresque doorway. Above the historic centre rises the Moorish alcazaba, from which you can see the whole town.

What makes Guadix different is the cave quarter. Hundreds of homes dug into the clay, their white chimneys poking out between the hills, are still lived in today. The Cuevas de Guadix Interpretation Centre explains how people live in them and why they keep a steady temperature all year. The Roman theatre is also worth seeing.

Free tours and guided visits

In Guadix it is common to find guided walks around the historic centre and the cave quarter, sometimes as a free walking tour where you pay what you like. They usually link the cathedral, the outside of the alcazaba, the main squares and a stop at a cave you can visit. If you want to understand the cathedral properly, a guided or audio-guided visit inside adds a lot.

There are very worthwhile excursions around the town. The UNESCO-recognised Granada Geopark has badlands and ravines that look like another planet, with guided 4x4 or walking routes. You can also visit the Renaissance castle of La Calahorra, the Gorafe dolmens or neighbouring Purullena, another cave village.

How long to spend

A full day is enough to see Guadix at leisure. Spend the morning in the centre, with the cathedral, the squares and the alcazaba, and the afternoon in the cave quarter and at a viewpoint for sunset. If you have two days, the second is ideal for the Geopark or La Calahorra castle. Granada is less than an hour away.

Where to stay

The most practical choice is to sleep in the historic centre, near the cathedral and the Plaza de la Constitución, so you can do everything on foot with bars and restaurants close at hand. The most original alternative is a cave house, in the cave quarter itself or on the outskirts. They are cool in summer and warm in winter, and the experience is part of the trip. If you are driving, check there is parking nearby.