Orgiva is the capital of the Alpujarras, a unique place immortalised by Gerald Brenan in "South from Granada" and characterised by Chris Stewart in "Driving over Lemons" and "Parrot in a Pepper Tree". The writings of these authors were inspired by the area which has its own unique mini-ecology. The melting snows from the higher mountain areas which leak into the river gorges that feed the lower mountain farmlands below.
The region is rich in Arab descent and was the last holding place of the Moors before it fell to Christian conquest in the 16th century.
The area is simply stunning and invites mind-boggling scenic adventures.
The Cabra Hispanica - the mountain goat, simply the most natural climber in the area, that abounds up the steep cliff faces with relative ease if it detects human presence.
The Hoopoe's haunting cry can be often seen and of course heard by enthusiastic birdwatchers. The mountains of the Alpujarras are frequented by hikers and climbers seeking to grapple the wild nature of the area. It is also a fond travelling place for the traveller who wants to discover quieter breathtaking views and the clean air that the mountain serves.
The average annual temperatures in Orgiva are around 18°C with the summer offering as warm as 34°C. It has its own tourist office and it will give you information on its own antiquities such as the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Expectacion - a church influenced by the Baroque and Renaissance periods; the Palace of the Counts of Sastago and the remains of the 15th century Arab oil-mill - the Molinos de Benizalte. And let's not forget Ermita de San Sebastian, an old white-washed church at the top of the town.
If you are visiting other village peaks, remember the temperatures will vary depending on the altitude. Get a daily weather check depending on where you are going.
Orgiva also hosts a weekly market held every Thursday. It has some small supermarkets and other shops that will serve most of your everyday needs. There are restaurants and bars to quench the thirst and stifle the hunger of the day. These are served by two village squares and the Plaza de Alpujarras displays tile pictures of several other villages scattered on the ranges of the surrounding mountains.
Even though there is an airport at Granada it does not do many international flights, so you would be best served by arriving at Malaga airport. There is a bus service that operates from Malaga to Orgiva, however, it is an infrequent service so organise your flight arrival time to coincide with it.
The best way of travelling around the mountains would be to hire a car. It takes just over two hours to drive from Malaga airport to Orgiva and if you are lucky enough to get a flight into Granada then it will only take an hour's drive.
Enjoy the beauty which is Orgiva.