Montefrío is a village in the province of Granada, where you can enjoy views of the Loja region that are incredible. Those aren't our words, but those of National Geographic magazine, which recently praised the beauty of this spectacular place - the kind of place to spend the best holiday of your life in.
The municipality of Montefrio is composed of two main settlements, the villages of Montefrio and Lojilla, as well as hamlets such as Baratas, Los Hospitales, Campo Humano, Los Gitanos, Milanos, Los Molinos, Fortaleza, Rincón de Turca, La Viñuela and Córcoles, In total, a little over 5,000 people call this area home.
What to see in Montefrio? Considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in the province, Montefrio has a well preserved centre, full of history and cultural heritage which is a joy to discover.
At the centre of the old village is the famous castle. If you climb the sloping streets to visit it, you will see the remains of the walls, the watchtowers and some cisterns.
Another important landmark in the village is the Iglesia de la Villa, whose foundations were built in the sixteenth century on what was an old mosque. You can enjoy Gothic architecture both inside and on its façade. It currently houses an Interpretation Centre that’s well worth visiting and it’s also possible to climb the bell tower.
Nearby is the old cemetery, where you can see niches carved into the rock itself dating from the sixteenth century.
There is a second church in the centre that’s much more accessible than the first. It’s the Church of the Incarnation in the high part of the village, which has a curious round shape and surprisingly large dimensions.
As for religious heritage, the Convent and the Church of San Antonio are other places not to be missed, as are some civic buildings such as the Town Hall, located inside a small palace, and the Casa de los Oficios, which houses the Tourist Office.
But if Montefrio is famous for anything, it’s for its large number of viewpoints that overlook the village and its surroundings. The Mirador de Montefrío or Mirador National Geographic is the one with the most iconic views, although there are the Mirador de la Plaza del Convento de San Antonio and the Mirador de Las Peñas as well, where you get the best perspectives on the village itself.
How to get here? The easiest and most convenient way is by car. If you come from Granada by the N-43, take the GR-3410 which takes you directly to the village; if you come from Seville, take the A-92, then the GR-4402 and finally the GR-3410. Wherever you are coming from, you will be able to get here easily as it’s well signposted.
If you're planning to spend a few days in the area, there's nothing like renting a holiday cottage or even a converted farmhouse in Montefrio. Any accommodation is perfect to enjoy the area’s tourist attractions, and some of the options are up there with the best in the whole of Granada.
Once you’ve arrived and settled into your holiday home, you’ll be hungry. We recommend you head for the village centre, where plenty of restaurants offering typical local dishes await you.
