Free walking tours in Zahara de la Sierra and what to see

Must-sees

Zahara de la Sierra is a white village in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, hanging on a hillside below a castle. Climb to the keep of the castle, of Nasrid origin: the path is short but steep, and from the top you see the village and the reservoir. On the main square is the Baroque church of Santa María de Mesa, with the clock tower close by.

At the foot of the village spreads the blue-green Zahara-El Gastor reservoir, with a swimming area and water sports in summer. Very close is the Garganta Verde, a deep canyon walked with a park permit. The road to Grazalema over the Palomas pass offers some of the best views in the mountains.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free walking tours in Zahara de la Sierra. The norm is guided visits to the village and the castle and, above all, nature activities: the guided route through the Garganta Verde, mountain hiking, kayaking or paddleboarding on the reservoir and watching griffon vultures. It is also a good starting point for driving the white villages route, with Grazalema, Olvera, Setenil de las Bodegas and Ronda.

How long to spend

Two or three hours are enough for the village and the castle. If you add the Garganta Verde or an activity on the reservoir, allow a full day. Ideally, stay one night: see the village at sunset, do a route the next morning and then carry on to Grazalema or Ronda.

Where to stay

The nicest choice is to sleep in the village itself, in a rural cottage or small hotel in the old town, with views of the reservoir and the mountains. At night it is very quiet. Bear in mind that the streets are steep and parking in the centre is difficult. If you cannot find a room, Grazalema and El Gastor are close, and Ronda has far more choice about forty minutes’ drive away.