Activities
Granada
Most visitors will want to spend a day or so exploring the city of Granada, with its impressive architecture and Moorish legacy. Granada is also an excellent location for shopping, with countless small shops selling interesting goods.Granada was first settled by native tribes in the prehistoric period, and was known as Ilbyr. When the Romans colonised southern Spain, they built their own city here and called it Illibris. The Arabs, invading the peninsula in the 8th century, gave it its current name of Granada. It was the last Muslim city to fall to the Christians in 1492, at the hands of Queen Isabel of Castile and her husband Ferdinand of Aragon. One of the most brilliant jewels of universal architecture is the Alhambra, a series of palaces and gardens built under the Nazari Dynasty in the 14th C. This mighty compound of buildings - including the summer palace called Generalife, with its fountains and gardens - stands at the foot of Spain's highest mountain range, the Sierra Nevada, and overlooks the city below and the fertile plain of Granada.
For more information about Granada look at:-
For imformation about the recently re-opened Arab Baths:-
The Alhambra
Most visitors to the area will want to visit the Alhambra . It is an easy 25 minute drive from Casa de la Justa, avoiding the city centre. To avoid disappointment we recommend booking tickets in advance, they can be booked online at:-
There are also 1000 tickets available on the door each day, although queues can be long.
What's on?
What's on?
For more information about forthcoming cultural events, music, bars, restaurants etc have a look at the following websites. Granada is a large, diverse city with a multitude of activities going on.
For more information about whats going on the wider Granada area including the Lecrin Valley have a
look at:-
58th International festival of music and dance
For venues and dates log onto
Skiing
The ski resort of Solynieves is located at Pradollano in the Sierra Nevada mountains, a short distance by car or bus south-east of Granada. It is a easy 45 minute drive from Casa de la Justa. It is the most southerly ski resort in Europe. The resort hosted the 1996 world ski championships. The Sierra Nevada ski resort has numerous runs of varying difficulties to satisfy all skiing desires. Natural snow is supplemented by snow cannons on some runs. Many skiers are pleasantly surprised to find that, because of its southerly position, the air temperature is usually warmer than other resorts. The ski runs are open from the 1st of December. Group lessons and private lessons are available for adults and for children. We can reccomend the best deals for ski hire. For more information look at the Sierra Nevada website:- www.cetursa.es
Walking
We are conveniently located for several major walking routes including the GR7, the letters GR stand for "Gran Recorrido" (Long Journey). The GR7 is the footpath through Andalucia, which forms part of the European Route No. 4. The route is made up of itineraries, which are designed to avoid crossing or using tarmac roads or any roads used by traffic, wherever possible. Have a look at the link below for more information:A short drive from Pinos del Valle will take you to the Apujarra mountain range with endless possibilities for serious walkers.
Closer to home there are numerous walks from Casa de la Justa which will take you into stunning countyrside, wih outstanding views, completely unspoilt with possibilities of seeing a number of wild animals and birds. We reccomend the 2 hour walk to the Ermita (chapel) with stunning views over the valley. A route that is traditionally walked by the villagers on feast days. It is possible to walk from Pinos to the neigbouring villages of Restabal, Saleres and Albueneles.
Your hosts can advise on routes and are available to pick you up after a hard day walking if required.
Bird Watching
Andalucía is a birdwatcher's paradise and attracts ornithologists throughout the year. The best time of the year, however, is during the spring, as this is when you can see many wintering species, together with those arriving for the summer months.
A short walk from the house will take you high into the mountains where it is possible you will see a variety of species including the golden eagle (and several other eagles) and the Egyptian and griffon vultures. Smaller birds of prey, such as the kestrel, buzzard various harriers and red kite, can also be seen on occasion.
Golf in Granada
For anyone who wants to enjoy golf whilst on their stay, what nicer a location than overlooking the amazing Sierra Nevada mountains. For more information look at link below
For those travelling without a car we can arrange drop off and pick up.
Activities for children
There are a number of very good swimming pools in the loacl area that are perfect for hot summer days, we can advise on the best ones. See also the aquaparks in Granada and Almenecar, both of which are a great day out in the summer months;-
We can advise on some local walks that are suitable for children.
Another possibility is the excellent Science Museum in Granada, which has a whole range of exhibitions, interactive, and of interest to children of all ages and adults alike.
Cycling in the Lecrin Valley
Excellent cycling is available from Casa de la Justa, suitable for all fittness levlels, look at: