Órgiva Guide - Capital of La Alpujarra

About Órgiva

Situated in the lush valley of the Rio Guadalfeo, Órgiva is the largest and most populous town of the Western Alpujarra and provides a hub for some of the more remote High Alpujarran villages and those to the South East. It makes for a great base from which visitors can explore the mountains and, while the town itself won’t be featuring on any chocolate boxes, the surrounding area is absolutely stunning.

It is a windy 30 minute drive from the motorway whether you are coming from the direction of Granada, via Lanjarón, or taking the southern approach from the coast which skirts the northern slopes of beautiful Sierra Lújar. The latter route gives spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada especially during the winter months. See map below. 

Early morning light and winter fires in Órgiva | GranadaSpain

People are drawn here by the promise of peace and quiet in the mountains, the stunning views, the proximity to the coast (30 minutes to Salobreña) and of course the Andalucían hospitality.

After you have spent any time at all in this town you will recognise that one of its key characteristics is diversity. Whether people come here to visit or end up settling, Órgiva attracts all sorts. This is reflected in the relaxed vibe that permeates the area and the large number of visitors from spring through to autumn.

Seven Eye Bridge, almond blossom &
bougainvillea | GranadaSpain

Famous or infamous? 

Órgiva featured in Chris Stewart’s bestselling Driving Over Lemons, an account of setting up home and family in La Alpujarra at a time when it was considerably more ‘spit and sawdust’ than you will find it now.

Situated in a ruggedly beautiful ravine on the outskirts of the town is the ‘hippy’ community of Beneficio where the residents strive to live simple lives in tandem with nature and away from such worldly items as cars, mobile phones and alcohol. Further down the valley, and across the river, there are the two other ‘off-grid’, and longer-standing alternative communities of El Morreón and Los Cigarrones.

Until recently it was home to the famously ‘messy’ and long Dragon Festival which has now been moved along from Órgiva’s doorstep, in Los Cigarrones on the southern bank of the Guadalfeo, to a more wide-open-space near Santa Fé on the outskirts of Granada.

The view from Cáñar,
Plaza de las Culturas &
competing aerials | GranadaSpain

What to do

Órgiva is very well placed for trips to the beach and into the mountains. Taking the southern route out of town and to the motorway you can be on the beach in Almuñécar within 45 minutes. Alternatively, you could take a drive or a tour up into the hills to explore the charming whitewashed villages of La Alpujarra. 

There are some great walks around the town which will take you up the Río Chico or along the Guadalfeo to the south, or you can follow the Ruta Olivos Centenarios, a 9km circuit passing ancient olive groves (see map). Here is a lovely account of this particular route from local blogger Con Jamon.

You might also want to check-out Spanish Highs Sierra Nevada a local company, based in nearby Lanjarón, who specialise in walking holidays in the area. And if you prefer exploring the mountains on horseback you can book day rides and riding holidays with Caballo Blanco, a horseriding and rescue centre also located in Lanjarón.

Where to stay

Whether you are looking for holiday rentals, hotels, B&B, camping, glamping or even retreating there are some great accommodation options in and around Órgiva. Here’s a pick of the best.

Self-catering holiday rentals

Here is a selection of holiday rentals that we can recommend in and around Órgiva.

Hotels and B&B

In town, you have Hotel Puerta Nazarí, Hotel Mirasol and the charming Casa Jazmin guest house. Just outside town is the Hotel Taray Botánico, which features a lovely pool in lush gardens and the hugely popular restaurant, El Flor de Limonero.

If you are looking for good value and family fun, Camping Órgiva, or ‘Bottom Camping’ as it is affectionately known by local ex-pats due to its location on the road leading south out of town, is another option well worth exploring.

Where to eat and drink

If you are staying a week or two in the area you will find plenty of places to keep you fed, and fairly well entertained, in Órgiva. Here are some favourites with locals and visitors alike. Please see the map below for all locations and check out our essential tapas vocab guide here.

Pizzería Almazara has a great outside space, with children’s climbing frame, making it a great option for families with young children in the summer. Overall the food is great and in particular, the pizzas are excellent and the salads, though not typically Spanish, are delicious. There is enough variety on the menu for more than a couple of visits and you will be made to feel very welcome by the friendly and helpful staff, some of whom speak English.

Agua viva is perhaps the most surprising on the list, in terms of what you might expect to find in a small Spanish town. This restaurant, scores high on quality, variety, creativity and presentation. You will find dishes from all over the world and a great value weekday menu del día offering three courses plus a drink for €10. Look out for the Indian Thali night every Thursday evening.

El Limonero, which is now located on Avenida González Robles next door to the Mirasol hotel, offers a great variety of contemporary and more traditional Spanish cuisine. Winners of the Tripadvisor 2020 Traveller’s Choice award, they offer great vegetarian options here.

Restaurant Taray Botánico is another favourite with the GranadaSpain family for Sunday lunch when we want to push the boat out just a little. Here you will find food that is an elaboration on traditional Spanish food in a beautiful setting with views of Sierra Lújar.

For something a bit more typical of the area, there are lots of places to choose from but this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning two in particular. The restaurant at Bar Camping Órgiva, on the road out of town, does great tapas and does a roaring Sunday lunch trade the year-round. They have very friendly waiters and there is a play park for the kids. The other is El Molino Viejo in the centre of town, where the food and service are great, has a courtyard and a cosy indoor dining room making it a popular choice whatever the weather.

Baraka, at the top of town near the market, is a cosy halal restaurant and teahouse serving delicious vegetarian and vegan food plus fresh juices and homemade ice creams, milkshakes and lemonades in the summer months. If you are looking for a bit of a change speed and menu here you will find Arabic dishes, such as kebabs, couscous, tajin and hummus, served alongside more typical Spanish food like tortilla, and gazpacho. English is also spoken here.

And if you want to get a feel for the more social side of market day Baraka is the place to be.

Other places: Bar Sastago if you fancy sitting out on the Plaza in the sunshine with a café con leche or cerveza. Galindo’s bakery is a great choice for snack and a rest and to watch the world go by. El Recreo, recently opened by the same people who run El Camping. Also Pizza ‘n’ love and De Curtis Cafe both offer great pizza.

Órgiva traffic jam | GranadaSpain