Sierra Nevada, enjoying winter… and summer
Very close to the city of Granada we have a mountainous massif that is also one of the most important tourist destinations in Andalusia.
This is Sierra Nevada, fundamentally famous for its ski resort but a great place to enjoy also in summer thanks to its hiking trails and the wild nature of the area.
Sierra Nevada is a National Park and also a Biosphere Reserve, where the two highest peaks of the Iberian Peninsula are located, Veleta and Mulhacen.
What to do in Sierra Nevada
In winter, the ski resort takes on a special role as it is the main attraction for tourists.
It must be said that it is one of the largest ski resorts in Spain and is also the southernmost in Europe.
It has more than 100 slopes and its location and good weather make skiing perfect here. There you have numerous hotels and hostels where you can stay.
But skiing is not the only sport that is usually practiced in Sierra Nevada. Cycling is also very important and it is common to find cyclists going up the road. The Vuelta a España has contributed to making this ascent famous with several stages that have ended at the top.
But if you cannot afford the high cost of skiing or you think you are not fit enough to ride a bike.
In Sierra Nevada you also have the possibility of doing several hiking trails that will make you enjoy both in winter and in summer.
In each of the seasons you will be able to observe nature in a very different way. You can enjoy its morphology of glacial origin and its representative flora and fauna.
To make it easier to carry out these routes, in summer some ski lifts are open that take you to the foot of the highest peaks and from where you can start these routes.
In the summer months you also have the Altas Cumbres Interpretation Service, which are a series of guided minibus rides that take you through the ins and outs of the Sierra Nevada and with which you will learn about the history of the area and the highest parts of the massif
And of course, you don’t have to stay only in what the mountains can offer you because the Sierra Nevada National Park consists of 40 municipalities, each with its own charm and history and where you can enjoy its typical architecture and its rich gastronomy.
How to get to Sierra Nevada
Sierra Nevada is located 31 km from the beautiful city of Granada. If you go by car you must go by the A-395. From the city it is very easy because it is very well indicated and you just have to follow the signs.
But if you don’t have a car there is no problem as you also have a bus service that takes you to the ski resort.
While it is open there are buses going at 8am, 10am and 5pm (also at 3pm on weekends) and back at 9am, 4pm and 6:30pm (also at 1pm on weekends). At other times there is only one outbound, at 9am, and one back at 5pm. In the city of Granada buses are taken at the Bus Station.
