Recommended to Visit

Alfareria Los Puntas Cam. Aljambra, just after turning off of “Suicide Corner”, on the right hand side, before you get to The Corner Shop [email protected]
At Alfareria Los Puntas you will find pots being made by traditional methods, a family tradition kept alive by 5th generation potter Luis Alfonso Fernández, a master of pottery. From this historical building, Luis and his family run a workshop that creates beautiful handmade unique pieces, each one full of care, craft, and story. Luis greets with a warm welcome and instantly starts sharing the history of Alfareria Los Puntas. He explains techniques introduced in the area by the Arabs in the 8th century, showed us ovens that are over 300 years old, and talks through the stages of the pottery process. And the mysterious markings on the wall!  He has an Aladdin cave of a shop, where our eyes lit up and our purses fell open. We bought so many pieces between us and promised to return for more. We decided the little imperfections in some pieces are exactly what make them perfect. If you are looking for a unique gift, you will almost certainly find something made by Luis’ own hand. If you cannot find quite the right thing, you can even place an order from your own drawing. If you pay a visit, I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Monastery of the Virgin Del SalienteCarretera AL 71100, Km 21, Albox, Almería
What a beautiful building. This 18th century stone monastery is also home to a restaurant and hotel, simple and quietly stunning. We had a delicious lunch and could not fault it. The views are fantastic up on the mountain, and I am sure it will be even more spectacular when the almond trees are in blossom. This is one of the most important pilgrimage centres in the Spanish southeast.

Rigdzin Namkha Dzong Orgyen Khandro Ling Luis +34 643 26 08 16
A sanctuary of spiritual serenity, nestled amongst the breathtaking landscape. It offers a haven for anyone seeking tranquillity and inner reflection. With its peaceful surroundings and profound spiritual ambience, visitors can immerse themselves in meditation, prayer, and contemplation, fostering a deep connection with their inner selves and the natural world. Whether you visit for a couple of hours or choose an overnight retreat in one of their available cave rooms, this is an invitation into calm. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or simply curious, it offers a gentle, transformative pause from normal life.

Sierra de Castril Natural Park
Designated a natural park in 1989, it is stunning, a great adventure with wooden walkways, swaying bridges, steep climbs, and views that make you forget your legs are complaining. We stopped at a little bar at the very top to give our hearts a chance to settle.

Marble Interpretation Centre
A cultural space sharing 25 years of history and tradition, offering a host of information about the stories behind Spain’s largest marble producer. Information is provided in Spanish and English, which makes the visit especially welcoming if you are still learning Spanish. Guided tours are available and I would imagine you need to book in advance via the Macael Tourism website.

Mirador de las Canteras
A viewpoint with wonderful panoramic views of the valley and the marble quarries, which occupy more than 6,000 hectares. Located off the A 439.

El Bulevar
A boulevard on Avenida de Ronda, inaugurated in 2007, where you can see marble sculptures.

Plaza de la Constitución and Fuente de los Leones
The most prominent square in Macael, built in 1980 and renovated in 2015. This is where you find the church, and the exact replica of the Alhambra’s fountain, carved in Macael white marble by local artisans. The piece is made up of 12 lions.

Mortero
At the entrance to Macael is the most popular tourist icon of the area, the largest mortar in the world. At 3.29m tall and just over 3m in diameter, it weighs 30.9 tons. The pestle is almost 5m high. This has been a Guinness World Record since 2015 and perfectly imitates a classic marble mortar, with a pestle made of local yellow marble.

Museo Casa de la Canana
A real gem. The resident family have renovated this wonderful piece of local history. This museum recreates the atmosphere of a traditional Mojácar house from the first half of the 20th century and helps visitors connect with the history and culture of the town. It is a fascinating journey into the past, suitable for all ages. The exhibition is housed over two levels. The ground floor has family rooms decorated with authentic objects of the time and old photos. The basement houses the stables for animals and farm implements where the family would have originally stayed before the rooms were added.

Orce village
Orce is beautiful. You can sit in the square and enjoy a coffee and churros while listening to the church bells. Orce is also home to some of the most important palaeontological sites in Europe and Asia. Only 2kms from the centre is the natural spring of Fuencaliente, where water flows at between 18 and 20 degrees throughout the year.

Palaeontological means the science dealing with life of past geologic periods, known from fossil remains.

Museo Ibanez and the Pérez Siquier Center
If you get the opportunity, go to Olula del Río and visit the Museo Ibanez and the Pérez Siquier Center, home to the largest collections of contemporary art in Andalusia. Amazingly, this is offered to visitors for free. I cannot fault the place. The staff are wonderful and the buildings are clean and modern. The art is thought provoking, and I love how it gets you wondering, translating, debating, and sometimes giggling.

Castillo de Oria
You will find the remains of the fort perimeter overlooking the village of Oria. The only entrance would have been from the north, where the north tower connects with the farmhouse. Inside are the deteriorated remains of what once was, plus viewing platforms with breathtaking open views.

You can walk all around the houses to get there which is pretty but steep, or you can start from Bar San Antonio and walk down the side of it where it is better signposted and less steep.