Capileira just below the mountains of the Sierra Nevada
Capileira
by Saskia Mier
Capileira, at 1,436 metres, is the highest of the three villages in the Barranco de Poqueira. It is an ideal base for walking in the gorge or up to the peaks of the Sierra Nevada.Sierra Nevada. The village's winding, steep streets are dotted with springs gushing with fresh mountain water. Superb views can be enjoyed from every vantage point. Capileira is also the largest of the three villages, with Bubión and Pampaneira being the other two. It offers a wide range of accommodation, restaurants and bars. It has a population of around 600.
HISTORY
According to notes by the researcher Henríquez de Jorquera, the origin of Capileira dates from the Gothic period. Antonio Nevot Robles, a Capileira scholar, corroborated this, as the area's place names have a Latin origin. He derived the word 'Capileira' from the Latin 'capillaris-e' (meaning 'hair' or 'head'), referring to the highest point of the Barranco. Capileira is also the closest town to the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada, so it could be said that it is the gateway to the Sierra Nevada on its southern side.More>
Quality villas and holiday cottages in La Alpujarra and other magical locations of Spain.
HOTELS IN CAPILEIRA
THINGS TO SEE
Iglesia de Santa María Maggiore (Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza)
Dating from the seventeenth century, the church was built on the site of an earlier church from the beginning of the sixteenth century. It has a single nave and a similar appearance to other local churches, with a distinctive, slender bell tower. More>
Museo Pedro Antonio de Alarcón
The Pedro Antonio de Alarcón Museum of Arts and Customs of Capileira is housed in an old town hall building that is also an interesting example of popular Alpujarra architecture in Granada. More>
Servicio de Interpretación Altas Cumbres Sur Capileira
The SIAC is a service offered to visitors during the summer months, consisting of guided minibus tours. More>
Eco Decora drone video
Watch this interesting video about Capileira and its group of local women who are decorating the town for the fiestas using recycled plastic in a new art form called Eco Decora. More>
COUNTRYSIDE WALKS
Mt. Mulhacén Ascent
For a truly away-from-it-all experience, you can stay in the mountain refuge beyond Capileira, the Refugio Poqueira (958 343 349). Located at 2,500m en route to Mulhacén peak, there are spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarras.
Read our guide to climbing Mulhacen from Capiliera.
Sendero PRA-69
Type: Circular
Length: 7.5km
Duration Approx: 4 hours
Starting Point: Capileira
Sendero PRA-70
Type: Circular
Length: 9.4km
Duration Approx: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Starting Point: Pampaneira
BUS SERVICE
There are bus services from Capileira to Trevélez, Alcútar and Granada. More>
GASTRONOMY
The typical dishes of Capileira are choto al ajillo (garlic stewed goat), estofado de javalí (wild boar stew), truchas con tomate (trout in tomato) and puchero de hinojos (fennel stew). Sweet treats include cerezas con nata (cherries and cream) and arroz con leche (rice pudding).
FESTIVALS
Popular festivals in Capileira are Chisco de San Antón, Mauraca, Semana Cultural and Fiestas de la Virgen de la Cabeza and Fiestas de la Virgen de las Nieves. More>
WEATHER FORECAST
The weather forecast for the next few days for Capileira. More>
TOURIST OFFICE
The tourist office of Capileira is located in the Guadalinfo Centre. More>
NEARBY PLACES
The neighbouring villages to Capileira are Pampaneira and Bubión.
Hotels in Capileira
At the top of the village is the best hotel in Capileira, the three-star Finca Los Llanos, with magnificent views from all of the rooms and apartments and from the attractive swimming pool.
Just beyond Capileira is Cortijo Catifalarga (958 343 357), a stone guesthouse on a farm with fabulous views and occasional live music in its bar.
There are also several basic accommodation options in the centre, including Mesón-Hostal Poqueira. There are good restaurants at all these hotels. If you’re vegetarian, eat at the Casa Ibero on Calle Parra.