Cadiz is a land of contrasts where lovers of nature and the mountains can find their place in Grazalema. Located within the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, strolling through its narrow stone streets, its beautiful squares and its white walls will teleport you to the Andalusia of Arabs and Mozarabs. Visiting Grazalema is an experience for the senses.
Route of the White Villages
Grazalema is part of the 19 towns that make up one of the most famous routes in the province of Cadiz. With its whitewashed walls and flower pots hanging from them, this town will make you relive all the splendor of Al-Andalus. A route of towns that cross the entire Sierra de Cádiz and that have inherited Roman roadways, the cultivation of oil or the artisan production of leather products.
Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park
Grazalema was the first Biosphere Reserve in Spain and the First Natural Park in Andalusia. Its weather, which is the wettest in the entire province, has fostered this natural environment that takes in hundreds of animal and plant species, many of them unique to the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. If you plan on visiting Grazalema you cannot miss its Spanish fir forests, the underground caves such as the Garganta Verde or the Bocaleones canyons or the Majaceite river, among many other ecosystems that this park hosts.
Benamahoma
This village, that belongs to Grazalema, is also part of the White Villages Route. In Benamahoma you will be able to experience its cultural heritage in first person thanks to the Moors and Christians festivals (first weekend of August); visit the Natural Spring of El Nacimiento, the main tourist spot of this village; follow the Majaceite river route or go to the romería in honor of its patron San Antonio de Padua in early June. And do not forget to try their gastronomy: its bars and restaurants will make you drool for their food, wanting more of its delicious cuisine.
Festivals
There are many tourists who like to visit Grazalema for their local festivals. With a long-lasting tradition throughout the centuries, these festivals are a beatiful example of the way people from Grazalema and towns around Sierra de Cadiz see and enjoy life. Some of the most popular are the romeria in honor of San Isidro Labrador (May 31), the Velada de Nuestra Señora del Carmen and Lunes de Toro de Cuerda (from July 18 to 20), the Historical Recreation of Sangre y Amor in the Sierra during the month of October or the Fiestas Mayores in the second half of August.
Culture and history
Strolling through Grazalema is a time travel to different cultures. The town has not lost its traditional Arab architecture of whitewashed houses, narrow and cobbled streets and gabled tiles. But it is possible to appreciate other presences besides the Arabs: the passage of the Romans with the Medieval Road or the Roman villa of Lacilbula. The christian culture also has a place in Grazalema with several churches and the route to the Ermita del Santo, and even buildings dating back to the Prehistory such as the Dolmen de la Giganta.
Active tourism
Another much more exciting way to visit Grazalema is through the practice of active tourism. Some of these active tourism’s activities are hiking and horse-riding routes through the mountains or the practice of adventure sports such as canyoning, bungee jumping, routes by bicycle, paragliding or tandem flights.
Accommodation
If you want to stay in Grazalema, you have two great possibilities. One is to book a room in one of the charming hotels in the town or in the mountains. But, if you want to feel part of the town and experience the local and autochthonous life, you can stay in one of the many rural houses in Grazalema.
Gastronomy
The last reason we give you to visit Grazalema and, probably one of the most important, is its cuisine that attracts tourists to the town. You cannot leave without tasting its cheeses, honeys and traditional cured meats of great prestige and recognition throughout Andalusia, as well as trying in their restaurants and bars some of its most typical dishes such as the Grazalema soup, asparagus soup, deer meat in its sauce or scrambled eggs with Spanish oyster thistle, the lamb meat or oxtail. To end our visit to one of the most charming towns in Cadiz with a sweet touch, do not forget to try the acorn cake or to buy some amarguillos as a souvenir. You will love them! See you in Grazalema?