Alpujarras, Historical region in southern Sierra Nevada, Spain
Las Alpujarras is a historical region in the southern part of the Sierra Nevada, covering portions of Granada and Almería provinces. The landscape consists of steep slopes with terraced fields, where whitewashed villages sit at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 4,900 feet (400 to 1,500 meters).
After the fall of Granada in 1492, a revolt erupted here between 1568 and 1571, ending with the expulsion of the Muslim population. The area was then resettled with people from other parts of Spain.
The village names recall the centuries of Moorish settlement, while the main squares now serve as gathering points for locals. Many homes display colorful rugs and pottery for sale, often crafted in workshops nearby.
Buses run regularly between the larger towns, linking them with Granada and Motril on the coast. Hiking trails cross the mountain slopes and pass through several villages, and sturdy footwear is recommended.
The medieval irrigation system still distributes water through channels carved into the mountain slopes. These waterways allow fruit and vegetable cultivation even in the higher villages.
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