📷 Photo by Jorge Fernández Salas on UnsplashSierra Nevada and the Alpujarra
From the Alhambra to flat-roofed villages high on the Sierra Nevada, then down to Frigiliana.
- Distance
- 191 km (118 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 38 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 5
- Countries
- Spain
- Updated
- July 17, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 191 km (118 mi) with 5 stops, from Granada to Málaga. About 2 h 38 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Spain
Route description
Granada is dominated by the Alhambra, the palace of the Nasrid kings; book tickets well in advance, as they sell out. From Granada take the A-44 south and turn east into the Alpujarra, the valleys on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada.
The A-4132 climbs to the Poqueira gorge, where the white villages of Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira are stepped up the slope, with flat roofs and round chimneys in the Berber style. Trevélez, further along, is one of the highest villages in Spain and known for its cured hams.
From the Alpujarra the roads descend towards the coast, and near Nerja the village of Frigiliana climbs a hill above the sea with a Moorish quarter of white lanes and steps. The route ends in Málaga, with the Alcazaba fortress and a Picasso museum in the city where he was born.
The mountain roads are narrow and winding, so allow plenty of time and park at the entrance to the villages. The higher parts can see snow in winter, and spring and autumn are the best seasons for walking.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Granada
Spain - 242 km
Poqueira gorge villages
ViewsPampaneira, SpainThree white villages with flat roofs and chimneys, stepped up a gorge in the Sierra Nevada.
- 313 km
Trevélez
Spain - 476 km
Frigiliana
Spain - 559 km
Málaga
Spain
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Granada → Trevélez · 56 km · 0 h 46 minOn the way: Poqueira gorge villages.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping El Balcón de Pitres - Alpujarra (9 km); Cádiar (10 km).
- Day 2: Trevélez → Frigiliana · 76 km · 1 h 03 minOvernight nearby, for example: MiluCar Camper Area (8 km); Camping Cerro Gordo (14 km).
- Day 3: Frigiliana → Málaga · 59 km · 0 h 49 minOvernight nearby, for example: Área Autocaravanas Málaga Beach (9 km); MH El Rincon (16 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, September and December. Hot in July–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Spain: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Many former toll motorways are now free; some AP roads still charge. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarra?
3-day road trip of about 191 km (118 mi) with 5 stops, from Granada to Málaga. About 2 h 38 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarra?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 38 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarra start and end?
It starts in Granada and ends in Málaga.
Which countries does Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarra pass through?
Spain.
Where can you camp along Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarra?
OpenStreetMap lists 56 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Finca Bellavista, Camping Reina Isabel and Camper Park Beas de Granada.
When is the best time for Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarra?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, September and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
