Free walking tours in Trevélez and what to see

Must-sees

Trevélez is in the Alpujarra of Granada, on the southern face of Sierra Nevada, and is one of the highest villages in Spain. It's divided into three quarters, lower, middle and upper, linked by steep streets. The pleasure is in wandering between them and noticing the Alpujarra architecture: flat roofs of grey clay, round chimneys and the tinaos, covered passages between houses. The lower quarter has the square and the church of San Benito.

Ham is part of the visit. The valley's dry, cold climate is why there are so many drying sheds here, and in several shops you can taste it and see how it's cured. Outside the village, the Trevélez river valley offers easy walks by the water and mountain trails. It's the classic starting point for climbing to the Siete Lagunas and Mulhacén.

Free tours and guided visits

There are usually no free walking tours in Trevélez. What's on offer are guided visits to ham-curing sheds and hikes with mountain guides, from valley walks to the climb to the Siete Lagunas in summer. Day trips from Granada also tour the Alpujarra, visiting the villages of the Poqueira gorge, such as Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira, and finishing in Trevélez.

How long to spend

Half a day is enough for the village itself: a couple of hours to walk up and down the three quarters, a visit to a drying shed and a meal with local produce. If you want to walk, allow a full day, with a valley hike in the morning. Climbing to the Siete Lagunas or Mulhacén takes a long day, good fitness and a check of the weather beforehand.

Where to stay

Staying in Trevélez is a good idea if you're hiking, as you can set off early from the village itself. There are guesthouses and apartments in all three quarters. The lower one has more services and is by the road, and the upper one is quieter with better views. If you want to see more Alpujarra villages, another option is to stay in the Poqueira gorge and drive to Trevélez.