The valley consists of a number of small whitewashed villages . A brief description of most is listed below.
Saleres.
Our house is situated in the village of Saleres, one of the smallest and less developed of the villages. It is as traditional
as you will find anywhere in Andalucia, with the church being highlighted in the guide books. There are pleasant walks down
the river and up onto the hillsides above the village.
The only village bar is in the main square, the door hidden behind an old stripped curtain. It is very basic but conquers
up the real spain.
The village is surrounded by campo ( the spain agricultural area ) which is well irrigated giving the area a green lush
feeling all year round with the scent of orange and lemon trees.
There is local bread van delivering to the village every day, listen out for the horn.
Durcal
A thriving market town, located on the eastern side of the Rio Durcal and at the foot of the Sierra de Durcal, with peaks
of 3000metres.Durcal has thermal springs, a famous iron train bridge built by follwers of Eifel, as in Paris, and a spectacular
summer fiesta. There are several large supermarkets in Durcal and a number of different shops and banks. It has many plazas
with terrace bars and resturants.It is a friendly town.
El Padul
Around the same size as Durcal the town is mainly a light industrial town. It has an attractive old town
and a nice church, many different shops, bars and resturants. Granada is only 10minutes drive from here.
Niguelas
This village is in a spectacular setting at the foot of the sierra overlooking a dramatic gorge. It has an elegant plazas
and a fine church. There is an olive oil museum here and a few shops and bars providing the basics of country living. Again
it has excellent fiesta's throughout the year.
Chite
A very pleasant village with character, it lies in the heart of the valley. Full of quiant narrow winding streets, and
cottages typical of the area. It is just above the 5km long Lake Largo de Benzar and surrounded by mountains and orange groves,
with excellent views. There is a great antique shop here full of moorish item which is interesting to explore. It has
its own Fiesta in the early summer.
Lecrin (Talara)
A small village with a few lively bars, discotheques and resturants. It also has three supermarkets, Banks, a Post Office,
a Pharmacy, a Butchers, garages, bakeries and a carpenter and olive oil mill. There is a Bus stop to and from Granada and
The Coast.There are also signs of Moorish influence.
Mondujar
This village adjoins lecrin. It has a large church and a moorish cemetary as well as some traditional houses and cottages.
Above in the Sierra Mondujar are the remains of a moorish castle and further up a buddhist community.
Melegis
A lovely village in the heart of the fruit growing area. It has a few plazas and a couple of shops. In the spring the
air is heavy with the scent of oranges and lemons.
Restabel
Great location on the western side of the lake. This small village is very traditional with white washed houses that
have lots of character. There are a few shops here and a couple of really nice resturants by the stream.
Murchas
Beautiful idyllic village that has a hilly location with a few shops and a couple of bars.
Pinos del Valle
A lovely village in two parts situated high on the west side of the lake with great views. Lots of pretty houses and
cottages, plus a few bars and resturants. Great church and dramatic scenery.
Conchar
Delightful village close to Durcal at the foot of a dramatic gorge. It has a nice central plaza, church and a very nice
resturant with outside terrace with views across the gorge.
Albunuelas
The closest village to Salares, it is another traditional whitewashed village full of character overlooking another spectacular
gorge. There are a couple of supermarkets here and bars and resturants.
Acequias
On the opposite side of the barranco to Niguelas. It is a small but pretty village full of character and abundant water,
springs and streams.
