Authentic Andalucia: Guájar Fondón, Guájar Faragüit and Guájar alto

The essentials for visiting Los Guájares, in authentic Andalucia

In this article you’ll find all the information you need to visit this part of authentic Andalucia and see the best of the three villages that make up Los Guájares :

• A few words about Los Guájares
• Where is Los Guájares?
• What to see and do in Guájar Fondón, Guájar Faragüit and Guájar alto
• What to do in the province of Granada
• Book accommodation
• The main festivities in Los Guájares
• What to see around Los Guájares
• Useful links
• Continuing your trip to Andalucia

A few words about Los Guájares

There are three villages in the municipality of Guájar: Guájar Fondón, Guájar Faragüit and Guájar alto. They are located just a few kilometres from the Costa Tropical (18km from Salobreña and 20km from Motril), in the province of Granada.

The 3 villages are marvellously authentic and offer a real journey, even back in time at times.

Originally – during the Almohad period of al-Ándalus in the 13th century – these villages were inhabited by small rural communities on the outskirts of towns (medinas) or fortresses (alcazaba).

These communities lived in alquerías – an Arabic word: القرية – al-qarīa – meaning: farms.

Where is Los Guájares?

What to see and do in this authentic Andalucia

The typical, authentic character that has been preserved in these delightful villages – which from a distance are nothing special – is linked to their geographical position.

They lie in a deep valley, and the road linking them to the Motril – Granada main road only dates from the last century:

Note: unlike usual, I’m not going to “say” much in this article, and will leave more room for photos, which allow a better immersion in this unspoilt place.

Gúajar alto

As its name suggests, it is the highest of the three villages.

Here are some photos of Gúajar alto:

In Guajar alto, there’s an absolutely brilliant natural spot. The river Toba has been widened, so that you can now enjoy a natural freshwater pool. A real treat!

Back in the village:

Guájar Faragüit

This village, in the middle of the other two, is home to the town hall. It’s perhaps the one that amazed me the most… although it’s honestly hard to rank them all.

Here are a few more photos of Guájar Faragüit:

Below, one of the village’s algorfas.

This was often to coincide with the birth of a child or the opening of a small business. In such cases, an agreement would be reached with the neighbour opposite to build above the street and extend the house, sharing the extra height if necessary.

And here’s a final photo of the village’s typical houses:

El Castillejo of Guájar Faragüit

The archaeological site of El Castillejo, shown below, is an ancient fortified Almohad site dating from the 13th century, located in the middle of the Toba river valley, opposite Guájar Faragüit. It can be reached on foot.

Finally, in the village, the rocks on which the houses are built sometimes ‘overhang’ a little, making the village streets very, very narrow….

Guájar Fondón

This is the lowest village. It is full of texts and poetry written on the walls.

Things to do in the province of Granada

Below are a number of ideas for activities and visits. You can book them online today.

Tip: all activities can be cancelled up to 24 hours before the scheduled date.

Book accommodation in authentic Andalucia

Below, you will find all the availabilities in and around these villages after selecting your dates:

The main festivities in Los Guájares

The 3 villages in the municipality of Los Guájares each celebrate their own feria in August.

• End of the first week in August: Fiesta de la Virgen de la Aurora in Guájar Fondón.
• The following days: Fiestas de San Lorenzo in Guájar Faragüit.
• Then: Fiestas de la Virgen de la Aurora in Guájar Alto.

What to see around Los Guájares

Salobreña

If you want to head to the coast, the little white village by the sea, Salobreña, is a little gem to discover. The beach, with its crystal-clear waters, is well worth a sun break.

Salobreña is known as the ‘Pearl of the Costa Tropical’.

Almuñecar

Almuñecar is just a few kilometres from Salobreña and offers – in addition to its beautiful beaches – an incredible Roman heritage for enthusiasts of the period.

Here’s a link to a tour of Almuñecar, the town of the sexitanos.

The villages of the Alpujarra granadina, another authentic Andalucia site

For lovers of mountains and authenticity, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, still in the province of Granada, there are the villages of the Alpujarra, such as Pampaneira and Capileira. They are beautiful and unique, and make a great stop-off point on any trip to Andalucia.

Some ideas and useful links

The links below can be very useful depending on where you are staying and what you need to do to have a wonderful time in Andalucia.

• An interactive map of Andalucia to find lots of ideas for visits around you, off the beaten track.

• link to book a rental car in Andalucia.

• If you’re on the Costa del Sol and looking for ideas for excursions in Andalucia, you can use the following link to book a tour departing from Málaga, Torremolinos, Estepona or Benalmadena.

Discover more of Andalusia’s beautiful sites in the Andalucia blog pages.

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