Discover Alcolea

Alcolea lies in a narrow mountain valley between the mountain ranges of the Sierra Nevada and the Sierra de Gádor; the Río Alcolea flows through the valley. The town is laid out around this Mediterranean mountain river. Historic buildings, a Hispano-Muslim-influenced urban layout and hiking trails give the destination a variety of highlights.

Hiking trails through the mountain landscape

The PR-A 297 “El Castillejo” starts on the edge of town in the direction of Laujar and is nine kilometres long. It has a low to moderate difficulty level and follows dirt tracks and hiking paths through the Sierra de Gádor, passing olive groves and small, typically Mediterranean river meadows. The linear PR-A 296 “Los Pradillos” is longer, at twelve kilometres. It starts near Alcolea in the Aljibe del Arco area and leads to the abandoned mining settlement of Los Pajarillos. The route has been officially certified and signposted since 2006 and can be walked. It passes through a replanted pine forest and offers views of the Sierra Nevada, villages in the Alpujarra of Granada and, in the distance, the Mediterranean Sea.

Townscape and architectural history

In Alcolea, you can stroll through its Hispano-Muslim-influenced urban layout. The town’s architectural history also reaches far back: in the mid-16th century, a church was built in the town on the site of an older mosque. The Ermita de San Sebastián y San Ildefonso is a Mudéjar chapel near Alcolea, beside the old road to Ugíjar. It was built from 1702 to 1709; its small bell tower dates from 1720.

At El Castillejo, the remains of a tower and part of a larger fortified complex have been preserved. El Castillejo has been protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural since 1985. Another place with a history of its own is the Fuente Lavadero Escalonado, a traditional spring with a rectangular basin and two water outlets, right next to the public washhouse. For generations, residents used the spring to collect drinking water and do their washing. Today, it is a freely accessible outdoor site that visitors can explore.

Las Hortichuelas is also a local landscape landmark: the area is designated as a natural and recreational space and is crossed by the Río Alcolea. The river, valley and mountain ranges thus shape the geographical setting in which visitors can experience the town’s history and hiking trails.

Traditions, cuisine and crafts

Traditional Alcolea cuisine uses local olive oil and traditionally made wines. Pan de aceite is baked in local wood-fired ovens using olive wood. Traditional crafts include working esparto grass into sewing baskets, bread baskets and cenachos. These products and ingredients offer insight into local craft traditions and the town’s cuisine.

The celebrations for San Sebastián include a traditional chisco, or bonfire. The local council distributes filled rolls and drinks while the municipal band plays pasodobles and other pieces. A procession winds through the streets of Alcolea and ends in the church square with a fireworks display. The carnival celebrations also begin with a culinary tradition: they start with the Buñuelá, when local women hand out buñuelos, coffee and chocolate.

A stay in Alcolea brings together a variety of experiences: the trails differ in length, route and scenery; in town, architecture and history take centre stage, while cuisine, crafts and celebrations offer further glimpses of local life.

Discover more destinations: El Ejido, Llano de Los Olleres, Roquetas De Mar, Bedar, Alhama De Almería, Nijar, Armuña De Almanzora, Fernán Pérez.

See the overview of the wider region: Almeria.