From the Villanuevas (Villanueva de Tapia, Villanueva de Trabuco, Villanueva de Algaidas, Villanueva de Rosario) in the West, passing through Loja, Salar, Huetor Tajar, Moraleda and Alhama de Granada in the South and the lakeside villages around Iznajar and Rute, North towards Algarinejo and the historic city of Priego de Córdoba with its two two natural fountains, passing through beautiful Montefrio set up on its hill, to Illora, Moclín and Colomera with its scenic lake in the East, this area enjoys some spectaular scenery and is dotted with traditional cortijos. This is unspoilt countryside with room to breathe and wonderful landscapes looking towards the Sierras in all directions. In the Poniente there are many larger cortijos, so if you need a sizeable house for your family, this area could be ideal for you.

Alcalá la Real is a historic town, full of monuments, but it is also a thriving administrative centre for the rural area that it dominates from its arab fortress - the Fortaleza de la Mota, originally built in AD 727 - which, together with the Christian church built on the same hilltop after the Moors were expelled, forms a spectacular twin-towered focus as you approach from East or West. The countryside around Alcalá has some of the most beautiful views in the region and the prices are historically lower than surrounding areas. Just to the North West of Alcala la Real lies Castillo de Locubin and the historic town of Alcaudete with its castle, charming park and bustling centre.

Cut off geographically for decades, this spectacularly beautiful and, for centuries, forgotten corner of Granada province sits on the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Its white villages seem to hang off the mountainside and although the villages are high the air is sweet and soft. The beauty of the fertile mountainsides of the Alpujarras has enthralled artists and writers alike. Virginia Woolf, Gerald Brenan, Federico García Lorca and Richard Ford among others have been captivated by its terraced hillsides, deep valleys and views of the snow-capped Sierras. The only two sizeable towns in the Alpujarras are Lanjaron, famous for its healing spring waters and Orgiva, the administrative capital of the region. Around both towns there are numerous country properties available, many with extensive fruit trees such as orange, mandarin, persimmon, plum etc.

Today, the Alpujarras lives less from its traditional subsistence farming and more from rural tourism. It has long been popular with foreign residents, particularly the English, Dutch and Scandinavians who began coming to live here more than thirty years ago. Properties are generally small and mostly built in the rustic, flat roofed architecture for which the area is famous. Prices have increased due to strong demand but there is still good value to be had even around the traditionally popular Poqueira Valley villages of Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira.

The Lecrin Valley occupies a privileged position, between the Vega de Granada and the Costa Tropical. Easily reached from Granada as the A44 motorway passes to one side of the valley. The close proximity of the Sierra Nevada affords the valley protection from northerly winds, creating a mild micro-climate ideal for growing oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits, for which the valley is justly famous. Still predominantly agricultural and criss-crossed by water channels constructed in the time of the Moors, the valley is dotted with attractive villages such as Conchar, Melegis, Restabal, Chite and Niguelas. There are also larger towns to the East of the Valley such as Padul and Durcal. If you want to live in the country but want easy and quick access to Granada, the coast at Salobreña and the ski resort of the Sierra Nevada, then the Lecrin Valley would make an ideal home.