Restábal: Castle, Mudéjar Church and Views over the Valle

The Castillo de Restábal is listed as a cultural heritage site; the listing bears the identifier 4106.

Culture and History

The Castillo de Restábal dates from the Nasrid period of the 14th century. The castle served as a control point for the surrounding farmsteads.

One of the most significant surviving remains is a large rectangular cistern. This structure is divided into four parallel sections.

The castle therefore combines its historical classification with a clearly identified historical purpose and a surviving structural feature. The cistern in particular makes it clear that the complex consisted not only of enclosure walls but also of functional areas.

A plaque explains that the Royal Road from Granada to Motril passed through Restábal until the mid-19th century.

The former fish market of Restábal was renovated in a modern style.

The Iglesia de San Cristóbal is a 16th-century Mudéjar church and is one of the oldest churches in the Valle de Lecrín.

Valuable historical archives were kept in the Iglesia de San Cristóbal. These archives were lost in a fire in 1965.

In Restábal, buildings from the Nasrid period and the 16th century thus stand alongside places that were altered later, such as the former fish market. The plaque about the road to Motril and the church’s lost archives supplement these architectural remains with documented local history.

Landscape and Views

The Puente del río Torrente offers a view of Restábal’s town centre.

East of Restábal, the Barranco de Alas features cave areas. These cave areas were eroded into the limestone by water.

The summit of Cerro de los Canjorros offers panoramic views over the Valle. Access is via the Barranco de las Arenas.

From the viewpoint, the lower part of Restábal and the enclosed town centre of Melegís can be seen.

The viewpoints and landscape sites mark different parts of the surrounding area: the view of the town from the bridge, the limestone formations to the east, the summit above the Valle, and the viewpoint overlooking Restábal and Melegís.

The shore of the Embalse de Béznar lies in the Cortijo de Budas area. From Restábal, this shore can be reached via a ten-minute walk through orange and olive terraces.

Routes and Activities

The route of the GR-7 in Granada passes through Restábal between Saleres and Melegís.

The GR-7 is signposted and officially certified.

It can be travelled on foot, on horseback and by mountain bike. However, the GR-7 is not passable along its entire length.

The signposted route therefore connects Saleres and Melegís and can be travelled using the three stated forms of transport, while retaining the restriction that it is not passable along its entire length. Its signposting and official certification are also among the described features of the GR-7 in Granada.

The Ruta del Azahar reaches Restábal on the GR-3204 road. For a few metres, it shares the route with the GR-7 there.

Geographical Location

The approach to Restábal follows the A-44 towards Armilla–Motril.

The route includes Exit 160 for Lecrín–El Valle. From there, the GR-SO-24 and GR-110 continue to the town centre.

For a stay in Restábal, the journey can therefore be followed using the stated sequence of roads: it begins on the A-44, continues via Exit 160, and then follows the GR-SO-24 and GR-110 to the town centre.

For the main travel overview: El Varadero.