The best cycling routes around Viñuela

The Museo de la Miel (Honey Museum) in Colmenar is dedicated to beekeeping and honey production. It showcases honey making from antiquity to the present day, explains how beehives work, and the role of bees in nature. The museum is organized thematically, displaying the life of bees, different types of beehives, honey production, and beekeeping tools. Interactive screens supplement the exhibition with information on pollination, beekeeping practices, and products from the hive. In addition, the museum regularly hosts events such as workshops, tastings, and culinary tours that highlight regional products like honey and cheese. Visitors can purchase various types of honey, beeswax candles, and other handcrafted items in the museum shop. Thus, the Museo de la Miel offers a comprehensive insight into the world of bees and the tradition of honey production.

The Plaza de España in Colmenar is the vibrant heart of the village, reflecting the typical character of an Andalusian town center. Surrounded by white houses with wrought-iron balconies, small cafes, and orange trees, it forms the social and cultural hub of the community. At its center stands an elegant, multi-tiered stone fountain, a defining feature of the square. The water flows in gentle arcs from one basin to the next, creating a tranquil and inviting atmosphere. Particularly striking are the bees that gather around the upper part of the fountain with its intricately carved jugs—a natural phenomenon closely linked to Colmenar's history and identity. The town's name derives from the Spanish word "colmena," meaning "beehive," and the fountain seems to embody this symbolism in a truly remarkable way. Today, the Plaza de España serves as a meeting place for locals and visitors alike, a venue for celebrations, conversations, and the everyday life of the village. With its harmonious interplay of stone, water, and nature, it conveys an authentic image of the tranquil, welcoming atmosphere that characterizes Colmenar. The square thus represents not only the geographical center of the town but also the heart of its community.

An absolute must-see. The Summer Palace is especially worth a visit.

The Castillo de Alhama de Granada is a historic castle located in the centre of Alhama de Granada, near the Iglesia del Carmen. This castle was built on the foundations of an old Arab alcazaba (fortress) and has a rich history dating back to the Moorish period. The castle played an important role during the Reconquista, the reconquest of Spain by the Christian kingdoms. In February 1482, the castle was conquered by the troops of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella. After the conquest, the castle was fortified to prevent the Moors from reconquering it. The castle is now an important cultural and historical monument in Alhama de Granada. Although it is privately owned and not open to the public, it remains a recognisable and iconic building in the city, with its striking red colour

The Iglesia del Carmen, also known as the Convento del Carmen, is a historic monastery and church in Alhama de Granada. Construction of the church began in 1589 and was completed in 1619. The monastery was originally inhabited by the Carmelitas Calzados, an order of Carmelite monks. The church has a Latin cross plan with side altars and a choir at the back. The interior is richly decorated with Baroque elements, including a rococo camarín (chapel) with a dome decorated with geometric and vegetal shapes. The church also has a crypt that was used as a cemetery. During the French invasion and the Spanish Civil War, the church suffered considerable damage, but many of the original architectural features remain.

Mirador de Alhama is a beautiful viewpoint located in Alhama de Granada, Andalusia. This viewpoint offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and its surrounding landscapes, including the impressive Alhama River Gorge and the city's white houses. From Mirador de Alhama you can also admire the imposing Arab castle and other historical monuments of the city. It is an ideal place to enjoy the beautiful views, especially during sunset when the area is illuminated by warm colors.

View from the top of the Mirrador de Alhama in the gorge of the Rio Alhama

In Alfarnate, La Venta de Alfarnate dates back to the 13th century, and is considered the oldest in Andalusia. Due to the numerous stories and legends surrounding it, it is considered a true popular monument, and it is not for nothing that it now houses the Museum of Andalusian Banditry. All kinds of people and all social classes have passed through here: muleteers, black marketeers, bandits, even King Alfonso XIII and Saint Joseph of Calasanz, not to mention artists, painters, and more. La Venta de Alfarnate remains faithful to its principles, its mystery, and its romantic magic. Its cuisine is fundamentally based on Andalusian mountain and country cuisine, with notable dishes including Alfarnate crumbs, eggs a lo bestia (roasted eggs), garlic goat, fried lamb blood sausage with tomatoes, and scrambled eggs with anise porridge.