Andalucian towns with Christmas Flavor
What to see and do in Trevélez. Discover the highest village of the Alpujarra in the whole peninsula.
The Alpujarra Granadina is one of the most charming places in the province of Granada. Many villages are part of it and among them is Trevélez. This Alpujarran village is characterised, among other things, for being the highest in the whole of the Iberian Peninsula.
It is called “El Paraíso de Altura” (Paradise at altitude) and it is situated at 1476 metres, so its geographical location is a real attraction for tourism in Trevélez. In winter it is perfect for those who love the cold and snow, and in summer for those who want to cool off from the high temperatures.
Although it is not a very big village, with only about 800 inhabitants, there are many things to do in Trevélez, such as wandering around the village and discovering an authentic alpujarra village, hiking or tasting the cured ham so typical of the area. In addition, one of the things to see in Trevélez is the river that bears its name and whose waters come from the peaks of the Sierra Nevada and in which trout live, as well as the typical architecture of this area of Granada whose Moorish legacy.
We invite you to visit and discover the highest village in the Alpujarra of Granada.
HOW TO GET TO TREVÉLEZ
To get to Trevélez there are 3 transport options: car, bus or taxi.
The train option is only viable up to Granada city and from there you have to choose one of the three previous means of transport.
From Granada and other capital cities of Andalusia, you can travel directly by bus to Trevélez, however if this is the option you have chosen, we invite you to take a look at the different stations, stops, timetables and prices in this link.
If you prefer to go in your own car or by taxi, it is one of the most economical and comfortable options for you.
Whatever transport suits you best, it is a long and winding drive to Trevélez, but you have nothing to worry about as the roads are in perfect condition.
HISTORY OF TREVÉLEZ
Trevélez has a Moorish past and although there is little information about the origins of this Alpujarran village, some say that it dates back to the Neolithic period. Visigoths and Romans passed through these lands before the Moors.
As for its name, some say it comes from the Arabic and others from the Romans.
What we do know is that there was a strong Moorish presence in Trevélez and this can be seen when irrigation was introduced, as well as the typical construction of their houses, typical of the Alpujarra of Granada, which can still be seen today.
Another of the things in which we can observe the Arab presence in Trevélez is in the layout of the 3 quarters that we find. This village has 3 main quarters, upper, middle and lower, which is what the historic quarter is divided into.
In the history of Trevélez we have to mention the Catholic Monarchs, who forced the town to convert to Christianity and this had serious consequences for it. It was expelled from the Nasrid kingdom and began a decline that lasted for centuries.
It was not until the 17th century that the town began to rise from the ashes, so much so that in the 19th century it was a place of residence for explorers and travellers who told legends about the Alpujarras.
Today its Moorish past and some of these legends are still part of the charm of this unique Alpujarran village.
HAM, THE PRODUCT PAR EXCELLENCE OF TREVÉLEZ
If we talk about Trevélez we have to talk about ham. For centuries this delicacy has been the star product of the village and part of the world.
There was a pioneering family in the curing of ham, the Vallejo family, who were responsible for starting up a ham drying room.
Nowadays, new mechanisms and advances have been incorporated into the curing process. Still, if there is one thing that distinguishes this ham and is an emblem in Trevélez, it is that they continue to maintain traditional methods. The process is totally natural and without any preservatives.
Such is the importance given to ham that its production is protected by the Protected Geographical Indication Jamón de Trevélez.
Trevélez ham has crossed all borders, reaching many countries worldwide and the most gourmet shops. Among its varieties, you can find red, black or blue label ham.
The quality achieved is of the highest quality and this can be seen in the final product, which you should try and even visit a drying shed to taste a good slice of this prized, completely natural cured ham that is going around the world and is a hallmark of Trevélez.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN TREVÉLEZ
Visit the church of San Benito
Located in the lower quarter, this church dates from the 18th century and is characterised by its perfectly white tower. After the Civil War, it was damaged, and the main image was stolen. Although it was rebuilt, the image was never recovered, so the one that currently exists is a replica of San Benito. This church is perhaps one of the most emblematic places in the town, as its inhabitants celebrate a feast in honour of this saint every year.
Trekking in Trevélez
The idyllic natural environment in which this village is located is well known. For this reason, there are countless routes where you can experience nature in all its splendour. You will be able to walk along a stream and see the wonderful landscapes of the Sierra Nevada. Depending on the route you take, the enclave will allow you to see valleys and the typical flora of this environment. It is undoubtedly one of the things you can do and enjoy the most in Trevélez even if you go with children. We advise you to look at different routes and their difficulty to see which one suits you best.
Strolling through the streets of Trevélez
The streets of Trevélez are of unparalleled beauty. Strolling around here is one of the must-do things to do. The alleyways are narrow and the houses are whitewashed to the top, and you can see how the façades are decorated with flowerpots and flowers that brighten up the white of the houses.
The charm of its streets and walking through them will take you to see the typical architecture of the Alpujarra, as well as a multitude of craft shops where you can buy some souvenirs.
Visit a ham drying room
As you know, ham is the star product of Trevélez and is known and exported all over the world. The importance of ham is such that it is one of the main economic activities.
The secret that has made this ham so prized is the natural curing process, without preservatives and following traditional methods. One of the things you can do by visiting one of the drying rooms is to learn about the origin of the first ham drying room, as well as the processes that are followed until the final tasting.
One of them is Jamones Vallejo, the family that started the first drying room. With them you can take a guided tour to learn about the importance of this star product and what method it follows, they will explain it to you in a guided tour of the facilities where you can taste the ham itself and if you wish, eat in the restaurant.
Although there are other drying sheds, this is the best known. It is the activity you have to do if you go to Trevélez.
Explore the fountains of Trevélez
Due to its location, the water that reaches this village comes from the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, so the quality of the water here is magnificent. Along our route through its streets, we will find different fountains where we will not only drink crystal clear water, but some of them are ancient washing places used by women to wash their clothes.
It is one of the mythical things of the Alpujarra, to find public washing places that revive the history of Trevélez and that are a meeting place and a place for momentary rest during your visit to this village.
Know one of the best rivers for trout fishing
The river that flows down to Trevélez and bears the same name is one of the rivers whose waters come from the peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Walking along the river is one of the things you can do and check the quality of its waters, and if you wish you can take a dip in one of the natural pools of crystal-clear water that you will find along the way and where bathing is allowed.
This river also has another peculiarity. It is a trout river, one of the most trout-fishing rivers in Andalusia, which is why trout is so present in the gastronomy of this village in the Alpujarra. If you are one of the more daring ones, you can even catch some of them.
Get to know the church of saint Anthony of Padua
This church houses the images of San Anthony of Padua and the Virgin of the Snows. It is located in the Medio neighbourhood and is the temple where the patron saint of the village is kept. It is one of the most representative festivities of the town and celebrations are held in honour of both saints.
WHERE TO EAT IN TREVÉLEZ
Trevélez is a small village but there are a variety of bars and restaurants to choose from to try any of its dishes. However, we advise you to try the local food and the typical products of the village. As you may have already guessed, ham has to be among your choice of dishes because you can’t leave Trevélez without tasting its ham.
Trout is another of the town’s star dishes, and thanks to its trout river, this fish is another of the products par excellence. Another of the typical dishes of the area is the Alpujarreño dish with black pudding, egg, potatoes, chorizo and ham, a classic dish in this area.
Migas alpujarreñas are another mythical dish in Trevélez, as well as some meats and soups.
And so that you leave with the best taste in your mouth in one of the areas with the most exquisite food, we leave you with a selection of bars and restaurants, although we already tell you that in all of them, it is a luxury to taste their dishes.
Piedra Ventana
The food in this restaurant is simply exquisite, as they prepare all the typical dishes of the area. It is a very familiar place, where the customer service is excellent and the quality of its products even more so. Piedra Ventana is also located in a spectacular setting in Trevélez and the views of the river from the windows will make your meal even more memorable. You can’t leave here without trying the lamb shoulder, the knuckle, the entrecote or any of their grilled meats, which are spectacular, as well as their delicious homemade desserts, which are a brutality.
Mesón la Fragua
Mesón La Fragua is another of the place par excellence where you can try top-quality products, and the presentation of its dishes and the flavour will not leave you indifferent. Local and homemade cuisine, with a modern and contemporary touch, is the secret of this inn where you can eat any of its dishes because they are all delicious, but we recommend you try the rack of lamb, or the pork ribs, as well as the croquettes and sausages. You’ll be spoilt for choice, but it will exceed your expectations. And for the final sweet touch, we recommend the fig ice cream, although you can choose from a whole host of other delicacies to round off your meal. It is undoubtedly one of the best in Trevélez and the treatment by the staff is unbeatable, as well as its mountain views.
Mesón Haraicel
The low-temperature baked ribs are one of the star dishes of this mesón, as well as the ham, the Alpujarreño dish, the grilled rabbit and the boletus and ham croquettes.
This charming restaurant has a staff that will make you feel at home. Cooking with high-quality products and preparing them with such care and beauty will make your culinary experience in Trevélez a memorable one. You can’t leave Mesón Haraicel without tasting their cheesecake and fig flan.
Asador despensa de la Alpujarra
This is another of the best restaurants in Trevélez, where they stand out for their exquisite Alpujarreño dishes, the choto, the secreto, the chuletón and the wide range of homemade desserts. Although as a good Alpujarreño restaurant where quality and excellence in the kitchen are paramount, any of their grilled meats are definitely worth repeating, and the service is magnificent.
Moreover, we assure you that you won’t go hungry because the quality but also the quantity is plentiful.
Restaurante nuevo González
As a good restaurant in this area, the portions served here are gigantic. This is one of the places that stands out for its knife-cut ham, and it shows on the palate. In addition to ham, Nuevo González, a simple but quality restaurant, prepares typical local dishes, but some of the most popular dishes are cheese boards, local jam boards or even dishes with snails. Custard and cheesecake are two of the dessert specialities we recommend.
WHAT TO SEE IN THE AREA AROUND TREVÉLEZ
Near Trevélez we can find different villages of the Alpujarra of Granada. This area is one of the most beautiful and has villages such as Capileira, Pampaneira or Bubión with a lot of charm. Following the architecture of the houses and the beauty that characterises them, these three Alpujarra villages maintain the same style and traditions of Trevélez and this can be seen in the whitewashed houses, as well as in the narrow streets full of flowers and flowerpots. You will also be able to see how the water falls through a ditch in the middle of some of the streets. This is one of the curiosities you will see in these villages. Handicraft shops are also typical in these villages, and you will see countless of them offering products such as jarapas or a multitude of handmade esparto grass pieces. One of the most beautiful is undoubtedly Pampaneira.
If you have ever heard of magic, Soportújar is par excellence the village where you will find it. Witches, spells and magical places are a perfect combination to turn this village into a tourist attraction. Bewitched streets, and places where mysteries are everywhere. It is a peculiar and above all unique village that will surprise you especially if you go with children, because it is probably one of the most picturesque villages you have ever seen and it is located in the surroundings of Trevélez.
The Sierra Nevada mountain range, whose peaks provide water for Trevélez and the villages in the area, is part of the beauty of the landscape. If you have the opportunity to visit, it is a great opportunity to enjoy skiing, walking or simply spend a day in the snow.
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WHERE TO STAY
Olée Holiday Rentals
To enjoy the most beautiful villages of the province of Granada nothing better than trusting Fuerte Group Hotels. The Olée Holiday Rentals Apartments are located in a perfect enclave on the eastern Costa del Sol, between Torrox and Nerja, typical Andalucian villages with the best climate in all of Europe. This accommodation offers you tranquillity while leaving at your disposal a large number of activities and places to visit. The complex has air conditioning, a spacious living area with satellite TV and a modern kitchen equipped with an oven, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer. Some have a terrace and wonderful views of the Mediterranean Sea.
