Although Andalusia is known for its Costa del Sol and “las playas bonitas”, it offers an entirely contrasting territory. In fact, it also boasts an impressive variety of mountainous landscapes, ideal for those seeking a dreamy escape from crowded beaches. In Andalusia, one of the warmest regions in Europe, there is even a place with snow all year round. It is Sierra Nevada, a range that stretches for almost 80 kilometers along the central and southeastern part of Granada. However, Sierra Nevada is not the only mountainous area; below we present some mountain villages that you will enjoy reaching by motorcycle, and if you are in search of picturesque territories and fascinating history, they will be ideal for you.
Setenil de las Bodegas (Cádiz)
We start with a village about 90 km from Malaga that lies on the road from Jerez de la Frontera to Ronda and is located 640 meters above sea level. Setenil de las Bodegas has been declared a Historic Heritage of Spain and is part of the “Ruta de los pueblos blancos” (Route of the White Villages). The peculiarity of this mountain village is its constructions embedded in the rock. The work of the ancient inhabitants of Setenil de las Bodegas made it possible to exploit the enormous rock formations that were created in the gorge carved out by the Trejo River. Some houses, as well as shops, restaurants, or workshops, were built directly into the rock, others by digging into it, and others alongside it, creating a visual play that can be admired from the top of the village. Every corner is truly astonishing, but you should not miss the “cueva de la sombra” (the “shadow cave”), a little alley where the sun never hits, and a little further away, the “cueva del sol” (the “sun cave”), where the exact opposite happens.
Ohanes (Almería)
To the south of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, we find this little gem, Ohanes, a village in the heart of the natural park at almost 1000 meters above sea level. This location offers a serene retreat among the mountains, besides being a witness to a troubled past. Ohanes was indeed the scene of conflicts between Arabs and Christians. Its church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception was burned down at the end of the 16th century and subsequently rebuilt in neoclassical style, a clear example of its past. Not far from this village one can also find the caves of Nieles and Almacena, which we recommend visiting to all nature lovers.
Cazorla (Jaén)
This locality is part of the mountainous territory of the Natural Park of Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas, an area declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. This territory offers a natural space of exceptional beauty, surrounded by olive fields and with the mountains of the sierra in the background. The historic center has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest. Walking through its steep alleys, it is possible to discover fascinating noble houses, traditional dwellings, and monuments. A point of interest is certainly the Castle of Yedra, located at the highest point of the village, rising 831 meters above sea level and showing various characteristics of Arab and Gothic architecture. This territory is ideal for excursions with our motorcycle, immersing yourself in the nature of Andalusia will fascinate you.
Zuheros (Córdoba)
Zuheros is a picturesque Arab-Andalusian village that definitely deserves a visit. Perched on the hills of the province of Córdoba, at the border with the Natural Park of Sierra Subbética, it stands at an altitude of just over 600 meters above sea level. The peculiarity of this village is its preservation of a popular architecture made up of white houses and ocher-colored roofs surrounded by narrow and steep streets. In the village, we find a mysterious Arab castle and at its feet the Church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, from the 16th century, as well as the Local Historical Museum, which displays some archaeological finds from the Bat Cave. The cave, just four kilometers from the village, is an open gap under a mountain that was inhabited during the Neolithic period and now allows us to admire cave paintings. It is also an excellent place to enjoy a good panoramic view of the area. This mountain village offers very interesting panoramic walks in the municipality, giving tourists that tranquility and quality of life that only the villages in the Sierra can offer. The genuineness of the gastronomy is another notable point concerning the village of Zuheros.
The list could go on and on, but we’ll leave it to you to discover the other gems that the Andalusian region offers. So, what are you waiting for? Start your motorcycle engines and venture into this wonderful land!