Luxury Villas to Rent in Granada & Costa Tropical

Drive just under an hour inland from the coast and the stunning provincial capital city of Granada rises up from the surrounding plains. One of southern Spain’s most beautiful and romantic cities, its historic quarters brim with stunning corners and beautiful historic sites.

There are four main neighbourhoods of interest in Granada city: El Realejo, El Albayzin, Sacromonte and Centro. Each has a different feel with its own architecture, from cave houses to Mudejar carmens (wooden framed houses with gardens). However, it’s the awe-inspiring palace on the hill, the Alhambra, that steals the show – both up-close and from afar. If you only have time for a day trip into the city check out our guide to Granda in a day.

Aside from the Alhambra, there’s plenty of other sightseeing to keep you busy. (See our full Granada guide.) Don’t miss the Cartuja, the Palacio de la Madraza, and the Palacio de Dar al-Horra. Or take a tour of the beautiful carmens of the Albayzin neighbourhood and wonder at the views of the Alhambra Palace.

Away from the city itself, the mountainous area of the Alpujarra is famed for its picturesque white villages, Jamon Serrano, honey and spring water. A few of our favourite villages to visit are: Bubion, Capileira, Orgiva, Pampaneira and Trevelez.

Just south of Granada, the Lecrin Valley is made up of 17 villages or towns. In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, it’s famed for being lush and green with stunning landscapes.

Climbing higher again, the Sierra Nevada mountain range is capped with a ski resort with more than 110 km of pistes, 21 ski lifts, family area and a snow-park. The season runs from early December to late April. Towering above it all at a dizzying 3,479 metres (11,414 ft), Mulhacen is the highest mountain in mainland Spain.

• Catch some rays, snorkel in crystal waters or chill in a chiringuito in some of Spain’s most secluded unspoilt beaches – from de la Guardia to Cantarrijan.
• Hire a yacht or dine out at Marina del Este – hidden and otherworldly, it’s the gem of the Costa Tropical.
• Visit the Alhambra Palace and its spectacular gardens.
• Meander round the Albayzin neighbourhood of Granada and relax in a pretty square.
• Eat ice-cream from Los Italianos on Gran Via in Granada.
• Explore the Moorish Castle of San Miguel. Perched on a hill above Almuñecar, there are spectacular 360° views from its battlements.
• Stroll around sculptures and botanical gardens in Almuñecar’s El Majuelo Park. Alongside you’ll find ruins dating back to Roman and Phoenician times.
• Get active is astounding natural beauty and go canyoning in Rio Verde.
• Watch the sunset over the Malaga mountains – with panoramic views along the Costa Tropical – from La Herradura’s Cerro Gordo. Truly magical.
• Delight in the views from Salobreña’s Moorish castle. Sitting atop an imposing rock, the historic white pueblo spills down the hill beneath.
• Heaven for scuba divers, discover Spanish Armada shipwrecks on the seabed near La Herradura.
• Cool off in Almuñecar’s Archaelogical Museum. In its Roman caves, you’ll find artifacts including an Egyptian vase from 1700BC.
• Go skiing in Sierra Nevada from late November to late April.

The Costa Tropical is ideal for rest and relaxation. Dotted along its rugged coastline are some of Spain’s finest beaches.

The coastline sits within a marine protected zone, so the waters are crystal clear and teeming with fish and marine life.

Explore by sea with yachts for hire in Marina del Este and along the Coast.

The picturesque city of Granada is a short drive away. The province’s capital city, you’ll find lots of great lunch spots, shops and photo opportunities.

A trip to Granada wouldn’t be complete, though, without a visit to the Alhambra. When you’re done, head to the Moorish Albayzin district and watch the breath-taking sunset over the honey-coloured fort with the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop.

If you’re looking for summer nightlife, Almuñecar hits the spot. Bajos del Feniciou is just off Caletilla beach and has bar after bar spilling into the street. It gets very lively in the early hours.

You’re offered free tapas with every drink in Granada province. It might be a bowl of nuts, or more likely, a local dish, but with each drink, you get a different dish. And with tapas bars eager to keep you there, they often get better every time. See our guide to restaurants in Granada city and Almuñecar.

Cephalopods – octopus, squid and cuttlefish – are famed in and around La Herradura and Almuñecar. Try octopus cooked slowly on a skewer over hot coals, or meltingly tender boiled octopus served on a wooden board with paprika.

The cured Jamon de Trevelez (the highest of the Alpujarras villages) makes for a worthy alternative to its better known Extremaduran counterpart. In fact, the cured pork delicacies on offer in Granada province are excellent – and particularly good with melon and a dry sherry.

A refreshing gazpacho – a fresh tomato soup spiked with garlic and olive oil and served chilled – is the dish of choice in the heat of summer. Salmorejo is its popular counterpart, with added bread for a creamier texture.

Enjoy a lazy Sunday paella at one of the many chiringuitos dotted along the coast. Paired with a refreshing ‘tinto de verano’ – red wine with lemonade or soda – it’s the perfect way to watch the world go by.

The diving from La Herradura is excellent. But if scuba diving isn’t your thing, the snorkelling’s just as good.

If you love watersports, you’ll find centres along the coast, organising day trips as well as kayak, SUP and windsurf hire.

A mecca for cyclists, the region is ideal for road and mountain biking. From dramatic La Vuelta ascents, to swooshing coastal rides and breezy beachfronts, there’s a route to suit every ability.

The Costa Tropical is one of the few places in Europe where you can enjoy ski slopes and beach in one day. You’ll find a bustling ski scene between late November to April in the nearby Sierra Nevada, just an hour and a half drive away from the coast and an hour from Granada city.

If you love hiking, you’re in the right place. The region is criss-crossed with trails: along the dramatic coastline – in the nearby Almijara mountains – or climbing the Alpujarras and Sierra Nevada further afield.

Adrenalin junkie? Why not give paragliding a whirl? You can descend through tranquil alpine vistas from the nearby Rio Verde valley. Or enjoy incredible views, great thermals and a sweeping beach for landing in La Herradura – perfect for beginners.

Our Guest Experience Team are here to help you discover the enchanting region Granada. Whether it be a private tour of the magical Alhambra palace, or windsurfing on the lakes of Motril, we’re committed to showing you the very best this province has to offer.

Our Guest Experience Team specialise in creating tailored itineraries for a truly personalised stay. We believe in the human touch, so we will work closely with you to design your perfect trip: whether this means guided cultural tours, foodie experiences or all out luxury, we’re here to help.

While in Granada, why not experience the delights of the local culinary scene with private tapas tour of Granada’s stunning historical centre? Or pamper yourself with an in-villa massage, followed by a chef-prepared dinner complemented by exquisite local wines?

With full access to our pre-arrival trip planning and Virtual Concierge Desk, our guests are guaranteed to feel supported during every stage of their luxury villa experience.