Vélez de Benaudalla: Garden, Castle and Trails

When planning your stay in Vélez de Benaudalla, it’s worth exploring the cultural attractions and the different types of trails. The Jardín Nazarí and the Castillo de los Ulloa each offer their own historical and architectural highlights.

Jardín Nazarí and Castillo de los Ulloa

The Jardín Nazarí is listed by the Junta de Andalucía as a historic garden of cultural interest. Its residential building is arranged around a central courtyard, and the garden includes three orchards. An irrigation channel from Paseo del Nacimiento crosses the Jardín Nazarí and supplies water to the orchards and a mill. This makes it possible to appreciate the architecture, cultivated areas and water system as interconnected features of the site.

The Castillo de los Ulloa was rebuilt as a military structure in the 16th century. Its plan is irregular and heptagonal. In 2003, the castle opened to the public as the Vélez de Benaudalla Heritage Interpretation Centre; it also has a permanent exhibition. As visitor arrangements may change, check the current visiting information before you go.

Comparing walks and hiking trails

The Ruta Las Torcas is a five-kilometre circular trail rated as easy. By contrast, the Ruta la Haza del Señor, also known as the Sendero de las Minas, is a 20-kilometre linear route rated as difficult. Both routes can be walked year-round; trail conditions may change, so check them locally before setting out. The differences go beyond length: they also have different formats—a loop and a linear route—and clearly different difficulty ratings.

The Ruta de los Molinos is described as a walk of around two and a half hours, leading to the Molino de Abarca. The associated Cortijo was once equipped with a bread oven and is considered to have been restored. Note that some of the mills are privately owned or in poor condition. The Ruta del Barrio Árabe has a different character: this walk winds through Vélez de Benaudalla’s narrow, whitewashed streets and past its small squares.

On the Ruta del Nacimiento, you’ll pass the Lavadero del Alambique and the Nacimiento spring; the path then follows an irrigation channel. The Ruta la Explanación-Río Guadalfeo leads to the Explanación, also known as Playa de Vélez. It is considered a recreational area for swimming and families; water conditions may vary.

Springs and landscape

The route to the Fuente del Algarrobo reaches the Barranco del Algarrobo after about two kilometres, on the western side of the Sierra de Lújar. On the way to the spring, you cross a national highway, after which an uphill path continues. The Tajo de los Vados area is another destination for a special activity: caving takes place there, including at the Sima Redonda and in the Cueva del Barranco de Iñate. This requires suitable equipment and expertise.

The water system in the Jardín Nazarí also tells the story of how the landscape is used: as well as supplying the orchards, the channel provides water to the mill. Meanwhile, the leaves of the palmito plant were traditionally used in Vélez de Benaudalla to make brooms. These offer different insights into local culture, from the design of a garden to a traditional craft.

Fiestas and getting there

The main day of the Fiestas de San Antonio de Padua is 13 June; the fiestas also include a performance of Moros y Cristianos. If you’d like to plan your trip around the celebrations, check the programme in advance. For travel by car, the A-44 motorway runs above Vélez de Benaudalla and has two exits to the town. As traffic conditions and road signs may change, it’s worth checking the current route before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Almuñécar, Salar, Atarfe, Cáñar, Los Carriones, Otura, Laroles, Bácor.

For the broader travel overview: Granada.