Cornelius Amann
October 06, 2026
5/5
Andalusia on foot: Granada, the Alpujarras and the Sierra de Grazalema
8 days from Granada to Malaga: the Alhambra at opening, three nights in the Poqueira gorge villages of the Alpujarras with Trevélez, two nights in Grazalema and the castle at Zahara.
8 days · Granada to Málaga · up to 12 guests
Yátor, a village in the lower Alpujarras, the mountain region south of the Sierra Nevada Photo: PicGuy, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Y%C3%A1tor,_Alpujarras.jpg)
The facts
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days, 7 nights
- Start and end
- Granada to Málaga
- Group size
- 7 to 12 guests
- Activity level
Moderate
Five walking days of 3 to 5 hours on village mule paths, irrigation-channel paths and mountain tracks, between about 4.5 and 12 km with up to about 500 m of climb, at altitudes up to about 1,500 m, plus a guided morning on foot in the Alhambra. Every long walk has a shorter option or a way to sit it out in the village.
- Meals included
- 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners
- Room of your own
- + CAD 645 (estimated price)
- Season
- March to June and September to October
Highlights
Why this trip
- Sunset over the Alhambra from the Mirador de San Nicolás on the first evening
- The Nasrid Palaces at the 8:30 opening the next morning, with an official Alhambra guide
- The old mule path from Pampaneira up through Bubión to Capileira, the three white villages of the Poqueira gorge
- Down into the gorge to the empty hamlet of La Cebadilla and back along a Moorish-era irrigation channel
- A ham-curing house in Trevélez, then the GR7 path west to Busquístar
- The limestone maze of El Torcal on the way west
- The Salto del Cabrero walk from Puerto del Boyar to Benaocaz in the Sierra de Grazalema
- The climb to Zahara de la Sierra's castle tower above its turquoise reservoir
What makes this trip different
Free time is part of the plan
Free time and choices are marked on the days they fall.
Solo without the penalty
A room of your own is + CAD 645 (estimated price).
Day by day
Itinerary
Tap any stop on the map to open that dayClick any stop on the map to open that day
Arrive in Granada
Granada airport or station to your hotel, then the Albaicín
- Welcome dinner
- Stay in Granada
- Drive about 18 min
Fly into Granada (GRX), about 17 km west of the city, or arrive by train, and our driver brings you to a hotel in the centre. Many flights land in Málaga instead, about an hour and a half away by road; ask us and we quote that transfer. Plan to be in Granada by about 5 pm.
Evening
In the early evening your See Sight Tours guide meets the group for a short briefing on the walks ahead: boots, daypacks, how the easy and active options work. Then we walk up into the Albaicín, the old Moorish quarter of steep lanes and walled gardens, to the Mirador de San Nicolás as the sun goes down on the Alhambra across the valley, with the Sierra Nevada behind it. The walk is about 40 minutes uphill on cobbles, and we take it slowly. Dinner is a welcome meal together in the Albaicín or the centre.
Included
- Pick-up at Granada airport (GRX) or the station
- Welcome briefing with your guide
- Evening walk through the Albaicín to the Mirador de San Nicolás
- Welcome dinner
Easier option: Take a taxi up to San Nicolás and meet the group there.
Free time: Free until the early-evening briefing
Activity: About 1.5 hours on foot on steep cobbles.
The Alhambra at opening
Granada: the Alhambra and the Generalife, then a free afternoon
- Breakfast
- Stay in Granada
We walk up through the woods of the Alhambra hill to be at the gate for the 8:30 opening, with Nasrid Palaces tickets bought in advance for the first slot. An official Alhambra guide takes the group through the palaces while they are at their quietest: the Mexuar, the Court of the Myrtles with its long pool, the Hall of the Ambassadors and the Court of the Lions. Then the Alcazaba, the old fortress, and its watchtower over the city, and the long walk out through the gardens and water stairs of the Generalife. Expect three to four hours on foot.
Afternoon
By early afternoon you are back in town, and the rest of the day is yours: lunch at a tapas bar near Plaza Nueva, the Royal Chapel, or a rest before the mountains. If you want more walking, the guide leads a late-afternoon path along the Sacromonte hillside of cave houses.
Included
- The Alhambra from the 8:30 opening with an official guide: the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba and the Generalife
Easier option: Take the Alhambra minibus up from Plaza Nueva instead of walking the hill.
More active option: A late-afternoon walk with your guide along the Sacromonte hillside of cave houses towards the Abbey.
Free time: Afternoon and evening free
Activity: 3 to 4 hours on foot inside the Alhambra, with stairs and gravel paths.
Up the Poqueira gorge on foot
Granada to Pampaneira, then on foot through Bubión to Capileira
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Stay in Capileira
- Drive about 1.5 h
Morning
We leave Granada after breakfast and drive about an hour and a quarter south past Lanjarón and Órgiva into the Alpujarras, the valleys on the south side of the Sierra Nevada where Moorish families held on after Granada fell in 1492. The van stops in Pampaneira, at about 1,050 m, the lowest of the three white villages of the Poqueira gorge. With our bags gone ahead, we walk up the old mule path between terraces of chestnut and walnut to Bubión and on to Capileira, at about 1,430 m, our base for three nights. Look at the flat grey roofs and the round chimneys, built in the Berber way the region kept.
Afternoon
Lunch is a sit-down meal in Bubión, halfway up, and we reach Capileira mid-afternoon with time to settle in.
Evening
Dinner together in the village.
Included
- Drive from Granada to Pampaneira, with luggage taken on to Capileira
- Guided walk from Pampaneira through Bubión to Capileira
- Lunch in Bubión
- Dinner in Capileira
Easier option: Walk only from Pampaneira to Bubión, then ride the last stretch in the van.
Free time: Late afternoon free in Capileira
Activity: About 4.5 km and 400 m of climb, 3 hours with the lunch stop.
Into the gorge and back on the acequia
Capileira circuit: the Río Poqueira, La Cebadilla and the irrigation channel path
- Breakfast and lunch
- Stay in Capileira
Today starts at the hotel door. We drop out of Capileira on a stone path into the Poqueira gorge, cross the river on an old bridge and follow it up the valley to La Cebadilla, a hamlet built for a hydroelectric plant and now mostly empty.
Morning
Above it the valley opens towards the high Sierra Nevada; on a clear morning you can see the ridge running up to Mulhacén, at 3,479 m the highest peak in mainland Spain. For the return we climb to an acequia, one of the irrigation channels dug in Moorish times that still carry snowmelt across the slopes, and walk beside the water back to the village.
Afternoon
Lunch is a picnic in the gorge of local bread, cheese, ham and fruit.
Evening
You are back by mid-afternoon, and the evening is free to find a terrace in the village.
Included
- Guided circuit from Capileira: the Poqueira gorge, La Cebadilla and the acequia path
- Picnic lunch in the gorge
Easier option: Walk down to the river bridge and back with the guide or the group, about 2 hours, then a slow morning in the village.
More active option: Add the higher loop above La Cebadilla for a longer view of the high Sierra Nevada, about an hour more.
Free time: Late afternoon and evening free
Activity: About 10 to 12 km and 400 to 500 m of climb, 4 to 5 hours with stops.
Trevélez and the GR7
Capileira to Trevélez, on foot to Busquístar, back to Capileira
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Stay in Capileira
- Drive about 1 h
A short drive of about 40 minutes over the shoulder of the mountain takes us east into the Trevélez valley. Trevélez sits at around 1,476 m, among the highest villages in Spain, and its cold dry air has cured hams for centuries. We start inside a ham-curing house, walking between the racks and tasting the result with bread and a glass of local wine. Then we walk out of the village on the GR7, the long-distance path that crosses the Alpujarras, heading west on a balcony path through chestnut and oak with the valley below, down to the small village of Busquístar.
Afternoon
Lunch is a sit-down meal there before the van takes us back to Capileira, about 15 km.
Evening
Dinner tonight is our last together in the Alpujarras, with local dishes such as plato alpujarreño of potatoes, sausage, egg and ham.
Included
- Ham-curing house visit and tasting in Trevélez
- Guided walk on the GR7 from Trevélez to Busquístar
- Lunch in Busquístar
- Dinner in Capileira
Easier option: Stay in Trevélez for a slow morning in its three barrios, and the van brings you to lunch in Busquístar.
More active option: Before the GR7, climb above Trevélez on the Río Chico path for a view of the high peaks, about 1.5 hours more.
Activity: About 9 km, mostly downhill with short climbs, 3 to 3.5 hours.
West to the Sierra de Grazalema via El Torcal
Capileira to Granada and the A-92, El Torcal, then Olvera and Zahara to Grazalema
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Stay in Grazalema
- Drive about 4.5 h
Evening
This is the trip's one long drive, about 4.5 hours of driving over the day, and it is the price of linking the Sierra Nevada with the Sierra de Grazalema without a one-night stop in between. We leave Capileira by about 8 am, one of the trip's two early starts with the Alhambra morning, so we reach Grazalema before dark, and we split the drive in two. After about 2.5 hours we stop at El Torcal de Antequera, a high plateau of limestone eroded into stacked blocks and pillars, part of the Antequera Dolmens UNESCO site. A 1 to 1.5 hour waymarked loop takes us through the maze on foot, then lunch is a proper sit-down meal near Antequera. The afternoon drive heads west through olive country past Olvera and Zahara, then climbs to Grazalema, a white village under the crags at the heart of the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, Andalusia's first, created in 1984. We arrive in the early evening for two nights and eat together in the village.
Included
- Drive from the Alpujarras to Grazalema with your guide
- Guided loop walk at El Torcal de Antequera
- Lunch near Antequera
- Dinner in Grazalema
Easier option: Stay at the El Torcal visitor centre viewpoint while the group walks the loop.
Activity: About 4.5 hours of driving, broken by the El Torcal walk (about 3 km on rocky paths) and lunch.
The Salto del Cabrero to Benaocaz
Grazalema to Puerto del Boyar, on foot to Benaocaz, back to Grazalema
- Breakfast and lunch
- Stay in Grazalema
- Drive about 30 min
A ten-minute drive takes us up to the Puerto del Boyar pass above Grazalema, at about 1,100 m, where we start walking. The path crosses open limestone pasture under the Sierra del Endrinal, then reaches the Salto del Cabrero, the goatherd's leap, a deep split in the rock where the land drops away and the view opens south and west over the hills towards the Atlantic side of Andalusia. From there the way runs on old stone tracks, with short climbs and a gentle overall descent, through holm oak and wild olive to Benaocaz, a small white village on the old road to Ubrique. Watch for griffon vultures riding the air off the crags.
Afternoon
We finish with lunch in Benaocaz and the van runs us back to Grazalema by mid-afternoon.
Evening
The rest of the day and the evening are free: the village square, the church viewpoints and the shops selling Grazalema blankets are all a few minutes' walk.
Included
- Guided walk from Puerto del Boyar over the Salto del Cabrero to Benaocaz
- Lunch in Benaocaz
Easier option: A shorter walk on the Llanos del Rabel above Grazalema with the guide's directions, about 1.5 hours, then join the group for lunch.
More active option: In March to May and in autumn, where the park is open and the permit is available, the walk through the Pinsapar, the fir forest between Grazalema and Benamahoma, instead.
Free time: Afternoon and evening free in Grazalema
Activity: About 8 to 10 km on stony tracks, a net drop of about 270 m with short climbs along the way, 3.5 to 4 hours; the exact line and figures are checked at the recce.
Zahara's castle, Antequera and home
Grazalema over the Puerto de las Palomas to Zahara de la Sierra, then Antequera and Málaga airport
- Breakfast and lunch
- Drive about 2.5 h
We drive out of Grazalema over the Puerto de las Palomas, at about 1,357 m the highest road pass in the park, and wind down to Zahara de la Sierra, a white village under a hill crowned by a Moorish-era castle tower. A steep path of 30 to 40 minutes climbs from the village to the tower, and the view takes in the white houses, the olive groves and the turquoise water of the Zahara-El Gastor reservoir. Then about an hour and a half east through olive country to Antequera. A short walk through the old town brings us to the Dolmens, among them Menga, a huge chamber of stone slabs more than 5,000 years old and part of a UNESCO site since 2016.
Afternoon
We sit down to a last lunch together in Antequera, then it is about 45 minutes to Málaga airport (AGP), arriving around 4 pm. Book a flight leaving after about 6 pm.
Included
- Walk up to the castle tower of Zahara de la Sierra
- The Dolmens of Antequera (the entry fee is nominal)
- Farewell lunch in Antequera
- Drop-off at Málaga airport (AGP)
Easier option: Stay in Zahara's square with a coffee while the group climbs to the tower.
Activity: Book a flight leaving after about 6 pm. The Dolmens close on Mondays; on those departures we walk Antequera's old town instead.
- Granada2 nights
- Capileira3 nights
- Grazalema2 nights
- Málagaend
- Overnight stop
- Day trip
- By boat or train
Wildlife and weather: Spring brings almond blossom, wildflowers and full irrigation channels; autumn brings chestnuts and clear air. Snow can linger on the high Sierra Nevada into May, and Grazalema gets heavy rain in spring and late autumn, so some walks may be swapped on the day. Griffon vultures are common over Zahara and Grazalema.
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Before you book
Right for you?
Good for you if you want
- Walkers who want three to five hours on foot most days, with the option to do less
- Travellers who want the Alhambra done properly before the mountains
- People who like small village hotels and quiet evenings
- Solo travellers happy in a group of 7 to 12
Not for you if you want
- Anyone who needs step-free access: village lanes are steep and paths are stony
- Travellers after Seville, Córdoba and Ronda (see our city trip of Andalusia)
- Summit-baggers: we do not climb Mulhacén
- Travellers wanting large hotels with pools in every base
Book flights after we confirm your seat.
7 nights
Where you'll stay
Your hotels are named in your trip confirmation.
- Granada2 nights
- Capileira3 nights
- Grazalema2 nights
One price
What's in the price
Included
Accommodation
- 7 nights: 2 in central Granada, 3 in Capileira in the Poqueira gorge, 2 in Grazalema
- Rooms shared, or your own for a supplement
Transport
- Pick-up at Granada airport (GRX) or station and drop-off at Málaga airport (AGP)
- Our own vehicle and driver for the group, moving your luggage between hotels
- Short transfers to and from the start and end of the walks
Your guide
- A See Sight Tours guide for the whole trip, walking every path with the group
- An official Alhambra guide in the Alhambra
Activities
- The Alhambra at opening: the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba and the Generalife (Granada)
- Albaicín walk to the Mirador de San Nicolás (Granada)
- Pampaneira to Capileira walk through Bubión (the Alpujarras)
- Poqueira gorge, La Cebadilla and acequia circuit (Capileira)
- Ham-curing house visit and tasting (Trevélez)
- GR7 walk from Trevélez to Busquístar
- El Torcal loop walk (Antequera)
- Salto del Cabrero walk to Benaocaz (Sierra de Grazalema)
- Zahara de la Sierra castle tower
- The Dolmens of Antequera
Meals
- Breakfast daily (7)
- Lunches on days 3 to 8 (6), one of them a picnic in the gorge
- Dinners on days 1, 3, 5 and 6 (4), including the welcome dinner
Not included
- International flights to Granada and from Málaga
- Transfer from Málaga airport on day 1 (quoted on request)
- Travel insurance
- Entry authorisation where required (ETIAS once it applies)
- Lunch on days 1 and 2, dinners on days 2, 4 and 7
- Drinks beyond the ham tasting
- Tips
- Personal expenses
Extras
- Room of your own
- CAD 645 (estimated price)
When you can go
Dates and prices
Pick your start date when you request to book. We check that date and confirm it in your quote.
Prefer to travel without a group or guide? Ask us about arranging hotels, transport and city tours for you to travel independently.
Before you book
Booking terms
Nothing is charged now. Full terms and the cancellation schedule come with your quote, before you accept.
Business addresses
See Sight Tours Trips (USA): 3172 N Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89108, United StatesSee Sight Tours Trips (Canada): 5305 50 Avenue, #1091, Red Deer, AB T4N 4B6, Canada+1-888-961-6584Guest reviews
What guests say
Reviews from guests on our day tours.
Jane
October 06, 2026
5/5
Susan
October 06, 2026
5/5
Tom L
October 05, 2026
5/5
MandL83
October 05, 2026
5/5
Darren O
October 05, 2026
5/5
Good to know
Questions
What does the price include?
Seven nights in hotels, breakfast daily, six lunches and four dinners, airport transfers at Granada and Málaga, our own vehicle and driver moving your luggage, your See Sight Tours guide throughout, the Alhambra at opening with an official guide, the Trevélez ham tasting, the Dolmens of Antequera and every guided walk in the day plan.
How fit do I need to be for this walking tour?
Moderately fit. Five days have 3 to 5 hours on foot, between about 4.5 and 12 km with up to about 500 m of climb on stony paths at up to about 1,500 m. If you walk a few hours most weekends you will be fine. Only two mornings start early: the Alhambra and the drive west. Each long walk has a shorter option.
How big is the group and who leads it?
The small group runs with 7 to 12 guests. A See Sight Tours guide walks every path with you for the whole trip, and an official Alhambra guide joins us in Granada, as group visits there require. Our own driver handles the van and the luggage.
Is the Alhambra entry guaranteed?
Not until it is booked, so we book it first. We buy the 8:30 Nasrid Palaces slot as soon as your departure is confirmed. If that slot has gone, we take the earliest Nasrid slot left that day, or the night visit to the palaces where it runs, with the gardens by day. Tickets are named, so we ask for passport details when you book.
I am travelling solo. What does a single room cost?
A room of your own is from CAD 645 more, shown up front. If you would rather share, ask when you book: we request a twin share with another solo traveller and confirm it with you once the hotel has the room. Village hotels are small, so we tell you the room type when we name the hotel.
When is the best time to walk in the Alpujarras and Grazalema?
March to June and September to October. Spring brings flowers, full irrigation channels and snow on the high peaks; autumn brings chestnuts and clear air. July and August are too hot for these walks. Grazalema is rainy in spring and late autumn, so the guide may swap walks around the weather.
How does booking work?
Pick a departure and send a request to book. We confirm your place within 24 hours, and no payment is taken until we have. Prices are per person sharing a room, taxes included, and the small group starts from CAD 3,795.
Can I do this trip privately or on my own dates?
Yes, as a private trip for your party only, on a date you choose, with your own guide and vehicle. If you would rather walk independently on your own dates, ask from the dates section and we quote the same hotels, transfers and luggage moves as a separate inquiry.
Do Canadians need a visa for Spain?
No visa is needed for short tourist stays in Spain for Canadian or US citizens, as Spain is in the Schengen area. The EU plans to require an ETIAS online travel authorisation; check the current rules before you fly. Your passport should be valid for at least three months after you leave.
What are the Alpujarras villages like to stay in?
Capileira is a small white village at about 1,430 m with steep lanes, a handful of bars and restaurants and no big hotels. Rooms are simpler than in Granada but clean, with private bathrooms. Evenings are quiet, cool and often starry. We name the hotel when we confirm your dates.
How long is the drive from the Alpujarras to Grazalema?
About 4.5 hours of driving, the only long day of the trip. We leave Capileira by about 8 am, break the drive after about 2.5 hours with a walk through the limestone of El Torcal and a sit-down lunch near Antequera, and reach Grazalema before dark. Every other day has no more than 2.5 hours in the van.
See Sight Tours has been providing travel services across North America since 2006. Operating in 20 cities across Canada and the USA, the company specializes in small group tours that offer personalized, high-quality experiences for travelers.
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