Albuñol between the coast, prehistory and the Alpujarra

On the coast of Granada, Albuñol is home to the Cueva de los Murciélagos. Organic and plant remains have been exceptionally well preserved there through natural drying processes. Due to this preservation, the cave is considered one of the most remarkable Early Neolithic archaeological sites in Western Europe.

Culture

The earliest direct evidence of basketry in southern Europe was identified in the Cueva de los Murciélagos. The period covered by this evidence ranges from 9,500 to 6,200 years ago. The Parish Church of San Patricio in Albuñol dates back to the 15th century.

People from Albuñol and La Rábita invented the agricultural system known as “enarenados” in the mid-20th century. Traditional crafts deeply rooted in the region and practised in Albuñol include, among other things, making items from esparto grass and other materials. The town’s traditional Mediterranean agriculture includes grapevines, almond trees and fig trees.

Different historical layers therefore coexist in Albuñol: the cave points to the early use of organic materials and basketry dating back thousands of years, while the Parish Church of San Patricio represents the town’s history since the 15th century. The “enarenados” agricultural system, by contrast, belongs to the history of the 20th century and is associated with people from Albuñol and La Rábita.

Coast

Cala Chilches is a 300-metre-long beach in Albuñol; Playa de la Rábita is a 1,000-metre-long beach in Albuñol.

Landscape

Albuñol is one of six municipalities in the Granada Alpujarra with a coastline. Albuñol lies between the Ramblas Ahijón and Aldahayar, which form a wide amphitheatre at the foot of Cerro de las Yeseras.

The Cueva de los Murciélagos opens on the right-hand slope of the Barranco de las Angosturas. The Las Angosturas gorge has a signposted route along which the hiking trail can be followed.

The town’s location between the Ramblas Ahijón and Aldahayar and its coastline are therefore part of the same geographical description of Albuñol. Cerro de las Yeseras marks the foot of the wide amphitheatre formed by the two ramblas.

Albuñol’s townscape is characterised by narrow, steep streets. The predominantly white houses are built of masonry with rendered and smooth-finished surfaces.

You can reach Albuñol via the Autovía del Mediterráneo A-7 or the N-340 national road. Near La Rábita, take the A-345, which connects the coast of Granada with the Alpujarra.

The road designations describe different travel directions: the A-7 and N-340 lead to Albuñol, while near La Rábita the A-345 connects the coast of Granada with the Alpujarra. The town’s location between the coast and the Alpujarra is also reflected in its road connections.

Other places on the same overarching regional level include Yátor, Campotéjar, Puebla De Don Fadrique, Cortes De Baza, Zagra, Pinos Del Valle, Vélez de Benaudalla and Pampaneira.

Albuñol’s traditional Mediterranean agriculture includes grapevines, almond trees and fig trees.

For the overarching travel overview: Granada.