We were first drawn to the area around Lanjarón in Andalucia, southern Spain because it seemed to offer so many opportunities for activity and adventure. We were not disappointed. The town nestles in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains and provides easy access to the Alpujarra, Granada, Valley of Lecrin and the sea.
Lanjarón is a traditional Spanish Spa Town, with a population of around 5,000 people. It boasts a thermal bath, where you can go for various ‘treatments’, a castle and a variety of hotels and bars. As you enter the town, you can see the arab castle guarding the dramatic Lanjarón gorge; now only a ruin, but worth a visit never the less. Other landmarks include 4 canons at the entrance to the town, the 16th century church, and the old quarter, with it’s moorish architecture.
A pleasant walk can be had wandering the back streets of the town, or to the castle, and old moorish fortress, which provides spectacular views over the mountain landscape of the Alpujarra. The castle and nearby gorge are also venues for rock climbing.
Basic supplies can be bought from local shops, as well as ample opportunity to sample mountain cured ham, cheeses and fortified wines. Other shops include a number of banks, small supermarkets, a pharmacy, petrol station and garage.
Apart from tourism, the main source of employment is the local spring water bottling plant; the water is found on the tables of many local resturants.
There are 3 festivals on 20th January, Easter and 23rd June. The summer festival celebrates the abundance of water and ham; where on the stroke of midnight there is a water fight all along the main street; if you are there, don’t expect to stay dry!
Directions to Lanjarón
The town is on the road leading east from the Granada Motril motorway towards the Alpujarra.
Travel by bus to the Alpujarra or Granada on the Alsa buses. Granada to Trevelez (Line 785) and Granada – Alacutar (line 618). Check the timetable and prices on their website
A pdf map of Lanjarón
Tourist information
There is an information kiosk near to the Spa it has maps and guides of the area, and the staff speak some English.
Accommodation in Lanjarón
There are many hotels along the main street. We recommend the Hotel Lanjarón for its friendly family atmosphere, value for money and attentive English speaking manager. If you are planning to visit the town and not joining one of our walking holidays, we can arrange hotel bookings on your behalf.
Walks around Lanjarón
Lanjarón is an ideal base for a variety of walks of all standards. Whether you enjoy a gentle stroll or mountain walking or the challenge of a little scrambling, you do not have to travel far to enjoy them all. Mountain House Holidays have written a short guide to walks for those who are based in the town. Our colleague Martin Riley leads a programme of day walks in the area; see our Mountain House Guides site for details
Rock climbing at Lanjarón
There are opportunties for rock climbing at all grades on either local outcrops or the Lanjarón gorge. There is even an outdoor climbing wall at the towns sports ground.
