Alhama de Granada is not far from the airport at Malaga, but it is a million miles from the pubs and full English breakfasts on the coast. Perched nearly a thousand metres above sea level on the edge of Tajos Gorge, it is famous throughout Spain for the thermal baths - hot therapeutic water bubbles up in to four thermal pools next to the river. In one of the most beautiful locations in Spain, the small town of Alhama de Granada is in the fertile land of the Poniente Grandadino in southern Andalucia. In the town there are churches, lovely squares, a spectacular gorge, a red Moorish fort, an Arabic quarter, fresh food stores and 38 cafe bars and restaurants all in easy walking distance within the town. This is the real Spain, incredible light, authentic fabulous food, great people and hardly any English spoken. One of the places where tapas are still free with every drink. There is great walking, sailing, abseiling, kayaking, quad biking, mountain biking, horse riding and skiing activities all within easy reach of the town. Granada and the spectacular Alhambra are a mere 45 minutes car drive or an hour on the local bus. There are a number of good quality yet inexpensive hotels and hostels in the town.

Google map: bit.ly/LcXrkB

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A proper Spanish Village. Unspoiled typical Andalucia. Quiet, crime free, with warm friendly people. A little look at a time that has gone and is now almost forgotten about.
They still serve free tapas in the bars.

Google map: bit.ly/xQIkW1

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Tigre is a small, quirky classic Spanish bar. We love it. They serve some of the most fabulous tapas you'll ever taste. The owner, Antonio, is a flamboyant showman who takes enormous pride in everything he serves. Try the berenjena (thinly sliced deep fried aubergine) - amazing. Antonio also serves a mean tostada: marmalade with soft white cheese or ham with blue cheese crumbled on - wash it down with fresh squeezed orange juice and a prefect strong coffee. If you're feeling adventurous (and hungry) ask Antonio to simply keep the food coming, it will be a culinary experience, you will not leave hungry and it won't cost a fortune. In the summer evenings the bar takes over the top part of the square, service can slow down outside sometimes in the warmer weather, but hey whats's the rush? You're sitting in a lovely traditional Andalucian square under the stars sipping your drink.

Pl. Constitución, 1
18120 , ALHAMA DE GRANADA , GRANADA
Google map: bit.ly/sypico

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This classic Andalucian tapas bar has a great atmosphere, it serves a fantastic selection of local wine and draft beer and a plate of tapas is free with every drink you order. In the summer the tables spill out into the narrow street and in the winter they close the big wooden doors and place trays of burning olive wood (Braseros) under your table to keep you warm. If the free tapas don't fill you up you can order more food - great rustic plates of food, it is all local and seasonal. Try a media (half) plate of the setas (fleshy mushrooms) and the calamari plancha (grilled squid) are both incredible. In summer the tinto verano (red wine and lemonade cooler) hits the spot. In winter one of the local full bodied red wines is perfect. Whatever the season the atmosphere in Ochoa is always vibrant.

Plaza de Constitución, Alhama de Granada, Andalucia, Spain
Google map: bit.ly/uL3pgq

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Recommended for pure romance and delight for bright cold winter days, (though beautiful in summer too). Give yourself two days. Drive through the winding Alpujarras mountains to reach El Ventorro, a rural hotel and restaurant, a couple of kilometres outside Alhama de Granada. Here, you can feast on incredible local food, from mushrooms collected in the forest, to local cheese and serrano ham, washed down with surprisingly delicious locally produced wine (well marketed in smart bottles- take one home with you) by a roaring fire in winter. At night you can stay in a beautifully lit cave room, with a four poster bed-the best sleep of your life! And the next day, you can choose whether to luxuriate in the atmospheric, heavenly (and spotless) Arabic baths built in the next door caves, or walk through the sandstone river valley and canyon to the historic town of Alhama de Granada, replete with Nazari ruins, a castle, historic squares, fountains and everything that Andalucia has to offer. If you can fit in the baths and the walk, you may be tempted to stay a second night in one of those beautiful caves and start the whole cycle again! And this whole delicious assault on the senses (cave bedroom, dinner, breakfast arabic baths) will only set you back about 70 euros. Stunning.

www.elventorro.net/
Carretera de Jatar, KM 2, 18120 Alhama de Granada
+34958 350 438
Google map: bit.ly/k4yFj4

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Alhama de Granada is one of the most beautiful locations in Spain, in the fertile land of the Poniente Grandadino in Southern Andalucia. This is the 'real' Spain - incredible light, authentic fabulous food, great people and hardly any English spoken. It isn’t far from the airport at Malaga, but it is a million miles from the pubs and full English breakfasts on the coast. There are churches, lovely squares, a spectacular gorge, a red Moorish fort, an Arabic quarter, fresh food shops and 38 cafe bars and restaurants all in easy walking distance. Perched nearly a thousand metres above sea level on the edge of Tajos Gorge. Famous throughout Spain for the thermal baths - hot therapeutic water bubbles up in to four thermal pools next to the river. 12km from town is the spectacular Bermajales lake with sandy beaches. There is great walking, sailing, abseiling, kayaking, quad biking, mountain biking and skiing activities all within easy reach of the town. Granada and the spectacular Alhambra are a mere 45 minutes car drive or an hour on the bus. There are a number of good quality yet inexpensive hotels and hostels in the town.

www.alhama.org/
Google map: bit.ly/iKDCvU
www.laseguiriya.com, +34958 36 08 01

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The beautiful spa town of Alhama, just 50kms from Granada, has hot springs which the Arabs and Romans both used. You can visit and use the Arabic baths, at a price, in the hotel built around them. But locals and others in the know, simply scramble down the banks of the river just outside, where the hot springs gush out of a hole in the walls of the hotel grounds. Here you can bathe in the pools created naturally by rocks, and feel the cool water of the river by your side. The pools are at different levels but are always warm and a delight that is absolutely free!

Alhama de Granada is in the mountains around 50 kms from Granada. To get to the springs you have to walk out of the town at its lower end,
near the market and follow the signposted road for about 2-3 kms.
Google map: bit.ly/gBwEsU

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La Seguiriya is a delightful little guesthouse owned (and run with considerable warmth) by flamenco singer Paco Moyano and his wife.
Six comfortable, well-appointed rooms are dotted around an 18th-century townhouse. Downstairs, there's a lounge area/bar and an excellent restaurant. Best of all, though, is the extensive terrace area out the back, which boasts stunning views of the town's famous gorge.

www.laseguiriya.com
+34 958 36 08 01

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After a fantastic walk through a limestone gorge, the restaurant El Ventorro is situated next to a lake with a great terrace and delicious food cooked on open fires.
Next to the restaurant is their new, Moroccan style spa with swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room and plunge pool. You can take the day to walk there, relax in the spa then have a fabulous lunch before heading back to Alhama.

El Ventorro Restaurant
Alhama de Granada

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Popular since Roman times, the hot springs in Alhama are a must-see. Adjacent to the spa hotel where you can have a whole range of treatments, there are four natural hot spring pools which you can enjoy for free day or night. Relax under the trees and let the minerals in the waters rejuvenate you. Recommended early in the morning or last thing at night.

Balneario
18120 Alhama de Granada

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Bar Ochoa is a beautiful, friendly family run traditional tapas bar in Alhama de Granada , Andalucia. Paco, his wife Josephina and daughter Pilar offer a warm Andalucian welcome. The food is exquisite, try the gambas a la plancha (tiger prawns fried in olive oil and garlic) or setas (wild mushrooms in herbs and olive oil.) Jamon Iberico hangs above the bar and is a wonderful compliment to the large selection of local wines and beers. In the summer sit outside and watch the Alhamites stroll about their day. In winter get cosy at your table with a brasero (tray of burning olive wood under your table to keep you warm). Alhama is a beautiful little town with stunning countryside views and a very relaxed pace of life. Enjoy and relax.

Independence Plaza
ALHAMA DE GRANADA
ANDALUCIA

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Bar El Tigre is a wonderful, fun and very traditional Spanish tapas bar in the centre of Alhama de Granada. Antonio the boss is a very lively friendly host. He prepares simple but exqiusite food - Jamon Iberico is a must in El Tigre. Antonio is known mostly for his tostadas which are toasted local bread with a mixture of tasty toppings. Tomato, anchovy, jamon, all with lashings of olive oil and black pepper. There is a wonderful aromoa of coffee and red wine as you enter the bar. Feel the warm friendly atmosphere as you sit by the bar or find your seat on the large terrace and watch the locals meander around this dreamy little town. Views abound,everywhere in Alhama de Granada. Dont miss it.

Independence Plaza,Alhama de Granada,Andalucia Spain

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Classic Andalucian tapas bar with a great atmosphere, Ochoa serves great rustic plates of food, local wine and draft beer. A plate of tapas is free with every drink you order. In the summer the tables spill out into the narrow street and in the winter they close the big wooden doors and place trays of burning olive wood (Braseros) under your table to keep you warm. Try a media plate of the Setas (fleshy mushrooms) and the calamari plancha (grilled squid) - both incredible. In summer the tinto verano (red wine and lemonade cooler) hits the spot. In winter the local full bodied red wine is ideal.

Independence plaza, Alhama de Granada, Andalucia, Spain

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A lovely, friendly, inexpensive rural hotel and restaurant perched right on the edge of the gorge in the spa town of Alhama de Granada, Andalucia. The owner Paco is an ex-flamenco singer who often takes guests down to the hot springs and serenades them under the stars.

www.laseguiriya.com/english/

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