Geopark Granada | Miguel, Guía Local en Gorafe

I'm Miguel, a lifelong resident of Gorafe, a town steeped in history and surrounded by one of Europe's most stunning landscapes. From a very young age, I felt a deep connection to my homeland and a tireless curiosity about its past. This passion led me to study a degree in Tourist Guiding, Information, and Assistance, in addition to taking various courses on active tourism and the Granada Geopark itself.

For several years, I worked with Turismo Rural Gorafe, which allowed me to gain valuable experience exploring the Gorafe Desert and its surroundings. I know every corner of this place, its hidden trails, its geological richness, and its ancient history.

The idea for Geopark Granada arose with the intention of continuing the legacy of Massimo and Connie, who founded the original project. With their closure, I decided to take up the mantle so that all the knowledge and effort invested would not be lost.

Today, at Geopark Granada, we organize 4x4 tours and hiking excursions through the geopark's most iconic landscapes, with a special focus on the Gorafe Desert, a true geological and natural treasure. Its ravines, colors, fossils, and unique formations tell a story of more than five million years.

We have 7-seat 4x4 vehicles equipped for safe access to hard-to-reach areas. Our experiences are designed with a responsible approach, protecting the environment and always promoting sustainable tourism.

At Geopark Granada, we are aware of the importance of protecting the environment and preserving our natural surroundings. Therefore, we implement various actions focused on reducing the environmental impact of our activities and promoting responsible tourism.

Our five key measures for sustainable tourism are:

Active environmental conservation: We carry out waste collection campaigns along the routes and encourage our visitors to participate, also promoting waste reduction.
Responsible Driving: We make sure to always respect established paths and roads, avoiding unnecessary damage to the landscape and vegetation.
Noise control: We maintain a quiet environment during all activities, minimizing noise pollution to avoid disrupting local wildlife or the visitor experience.
Protection of flora and fauna: We avoid the collection of minerals, plants, and any actions that could affect wildlife in the area.
Fire Prevention: We respect designated fire areas and take all necessary precautions to avoid any risk.

We believe that sustainable tourism is key to the harmonious development of our region. Therefore, we invite all our guests to join this commitment by promoting the responsible use of resources, supporting local businesses, and learning about the region's artisanal traditions.

Gorafe, home to Europe's largest Megalithic Park, is the jewel in the crown of the Granada Geopark. This territory, along with its impressive badlands, constitutes one of the most complete records of Quaternary continental sedimentary history on the continent. Located at the center of the "Hoya de Guadix-Baza" basin, a post-orogenic landscape of astonishing beauty, Gorafe offers visitors a variety of accommodation options, from hotels to traditional cave houses, at very affordable prices (approximately €26 per person for stays of at least two nights).

Just 30 km from Guadix and about 100 km from Granada, the town offers basic tourist services, such as medical care, a supermarket, a pharmacy, restaurants, and bars. On Saturday nights, Casa Juana offers a flamenco show with advance reservation.

The Megalithic Interpretation Center is open for guided tours every day, except Mondays, at 12:00 and 17:00 (times subject to change). Groups of more than 15 people can contact the center to arrange a personalized tour. To explore the surrounding area, Geopark Granada offers 4x4 routes and hiking excursions.

Gorafe is proud to have the Starlight certification, which guarantees the extremely low light pollution in the area!

Gorafe, with its Megalithic Park as its flagship, offers multiple experiences for your visit:

Necropolis:
Necropolis of Conquín
Necropolis of the Llano de los Olivares
Necropolis of the Majadillas
Historical heritage:
The Algarves (Almohad fortified cave house)
Megalithic Interpretation Center

Activities and nature:
Flamenco Show (Saturdays, at Casa Juana) – Currently unavailable
Excursions through the Gorafe Desert and the striking red sediments of Los Coloraos
Numerous mountain bike routes
Wildlife observation: mountain goats, vultures, foxes and a rich birdlife.

Un túnel de piedra con una puerta en el medio.

Negratín Reservoir and surrounding areas

Located at the western end of this artificial lake (completed in the mid-1980s), it is an area rich in geological remains of marine and continental sedimentary movements. Fossils dating back at least 6 million years have been found in its bioclastic sandstones.

Negratín Lookout: Enjoy a spectacular view of the lake and the badlands of the Rambla del Moral.
Waterfowl watching: A paradise for birdwatchers.

Explore more details here!

Located in the heart of the Granada Geopark, Gorafe offers a unique overnight experience: stay in an authentic traditional cave house or, if you prefer, in a conventional hotel.

Cave houses are traditionally used bioclimatic dwellings that naturally maintain a constant temperature between 18 and 20 degrees, making them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. In our selection, you'll find only officially registered cave houses, the only ones that meet the comfort, hygiene, and safety standards required for tourist accommodation.

The town has everything you need for a pleasant stay: four restaurants with excellent home-style cuisine—one of which offers an authentic flamenco show on Saturday nights—as well as an ATM, supermarket, and pharmacy.

On our list, the cave houses are categorized by pet-friendliness or non-pet-friendliness, so you can confidently choose the accommodation that best suits your needs.

Solano Cave offers a unique opportunity to disconnect from the world inside a classic-style cave, while still providing all the comforts of a modern home. As one of the tallest houses in the city, it boasts spectacular views of the rest of the city from the comfort of the terrace, which also includes an umbrella and barbecue.

The interior maintains a constant temperature of 18-20 degrees thanks to natural air conditioning and the owner's handmade stove in the living room.

The town has many points of interest, such as the Los Coloraos area, where you can go hiking and horseback riding, the largest megalithic park in Europe, and the Los Algarves caves, a result of the Mozarabic occupation of the peninsula and dating back to the medieval period.

The city is located an hour and a half from the Sierra Nevada ski resort and one of Granada's picturesque villages.

33 km from Guadix and 42 km from Baza, the nearest airport is Granada-Jaén Federico García Lorca Airport, 102 km from the accommodation.

The Cueva Alcázar is a cozy and well-equipped accommodation, ideal for a relaxing stay in the Granada Geopark. It features two bedrooms, a full bathroom, bed linens and towels, a flat-screen TV, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with panoramic views of the town.

The property also features a barbecue area, perfect for enjoying the outdoors. In the surrounding area, you can also enjoy hiking and discover the unique landscapes of the Gorafe Desert.

The Alcázar Cave is located 33 km from Guadix and 41 km from Baza. The nearest airport is Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport, 102 km away.

Located in Gorafe, Cueva Navarro offers spectacular mountain views and an ideal setting for unwinding and exploring the Geopark's landscape.

The house is located on the ground floor and features four bedrooms, a flat-screen TV, and a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, refrigerator, and kitchenware. It also has a private terrace, perfect for relaxing outdoors. Nearby, you can enjoy hiking trails among unique geological formations.

Cueva Navarro is located just a few hundred meters from the Geopark Granada meeting point, 33 km from Guadix and 42 km from Baza. The nearest airport is Granada-Jaén Federico García Lorca Airport, 102 km away.

This charming cave house, carved from clay and restored using traditional techniques, offers a unique sustainable accommodation experience. Thanks to its south-facing orientation and bioclimatic design, it maintains a constant temperature between 19 and 22 degrees Celsius year-round, ensuring natural comfort without the need for artificial air conditioning.

The home is equipped with a barbecue, a wood-burning oven, a hydromassage shower, a television, skylights providing natural light, wooden furniture, and sofas molded directly from clay. It also includes sheets, towels, board games, garden furniture with shaded areas for the summer, and a fire extinguisher.

An ideal option for those seeking tranquility, authenticity, and direct contact with the natural surroundings of the Granada Geopark.

The Algarve Caves are bioclimatic accommodations excavated in clay and restored using traditional techniques. Facing south, they maintain a natural and constant temperature between 19 and 22 degrees Celsius year-round, ensuring a comfortable environment in any season.

Located in Gorafe, a small, quiet village of fewer than 600 inhabitants, these cave houses are in a region of great historical significance: the Gorafe Megalithic Park, with more than 250 dolmens distributed across 11 necropolises, one of the largest concentrations in Europe. The area belongs to the Guadix and Marquesado region, northeast of Granada, about 100 km from the capital.

The caves are equipped with solar thermal energy, a full kitchen, a bathroom, a fireplace or wood stove, skylights, a television, sofas carved from clay, wooden furniture, fire extinguishers, and board games. Access is easy, via a path of less than 100 meters.

A perfect accommodation for those seeking an authentic, sustainable experience connected to the ancient history of the area.

If you can't find accommodation in Gorafe or simply prefer a quieter experience, immersed in nature, we've compiled some rural accommodations near the Negratín reservoir, just 40 km from Gorafe, the result of our own routes and discoveries.

These are traditional rural houses and caves, chosen for their peaceful surroundings and for offering, in the summer, the opportunity to enjoy the pool or the Negratín reservoir itself, whose waters are suitable for swimming. Canoes and kayaks can also be rented to explore the landscape from a different perspective.

We've selected each accommodation for its thoughtfulness, well-equipped amenities, and, above all, for the pet-friendly options many offer (we always recommend confirming this directly with the hosts!). All have a kitchen—some shared—and stand out for their cozy and authentic atmosphere.

A perfect accommodation for those seeking an authentic, sustainable experience connected to the ancient history of the area.

Choose how you want to enjoy your vacation: mountain hikes, 4x4, motorcycle, or bicycle routes, swimming in the turquoise waters of the Negratín reservoir, kayaking, relaxing in natural hot springs, or pampering yourself with manual therapies at a spa. All this is framed by a unique landscape where Neolithic dolmens, Moorish towers, and one of Europe's most fascinating deserts coexist, with 8 million years of geological history awaiting you.

Living Area: A space designed for sharing: a spacious, fully equipped kitchen-diner with a large table and fireplace, a cozy living room with a TV and another fireplace, and a full bathroom with a shower and washing machine. Free Wi-Fi is included.

Sleeping Area For your relaxation, you have a bedroom with a double bed and wardrobe, another with two single beds and a nightstand, and a cozy living room with a bookcase, sofa bed, and coffee table: corners that invite both rest and reading.

We offer six cave dwellings, each with its own unique personality and hidden corners waiting to be discovered. We've preserved the original essence by using natural materials on the floors and walls, creating cozy spaces that respect the traditions of this type of dwelling.

Your stay includes a full, homemade breakfast to start your day with energy, a spacious private bathroom, bed linens and towels, toiletries, a pellet or wood-burning stove for cool days, Wi-Fi, a desk, and access to common areas such as our library and cozy movie theater.

Come discover the charm of authenticity in every detail.

Each of our homes has three bedrooms, accessible from the upper floor or directly from the parking lot, designed to offer comfort and privacy.

The master bedroom has a double bed, a private terrace, and spectacular views of Lake Negratín and Mount Jabalcón. The second bedroom offers two single beds that can be joined to form a double bed, while the third bedroom includes a single bed and direct access to a balcony with unforgettable views of the landscape.

All rooms are equipped with sheets, towels, and individual duvets for winter—although you might not need them thanks to the individually regulated central heating in each room.

The spacious accommodations are generous, ideal for large families or groups of friends. The maximum capacity per house is 50 people, with the option of adding cribs or extra beds if necessary.

Who we are

explore our desert

Meet Miguel: Passion for Gorafe and the Granada Geopark

Nace Geopark Granada

Sustainability

Gorafe: A Treasure in the Heart of the Granada Geopark

The must-see in Gorafe

Necropolis of Alicún and Cerro de la Mina

Necropolis of the Sabina

Necropolis of the Majadillas

Necropolis of the Plain of Guadix

Necropolis of the Llano de los Olivares

Hoya del Coquín Dolmen

Necropolis Hill of the Hare

Gabiarra Necropolis

Necropolis Llano de Carrascosa

Necropolis Torrecilla and La Angostura

Necropolis of Baúl

Recently discovered necropolises

Necropolis of Alicún and Cerro de la Mina

Necropolis of the Sabina

Surroundings of Gorafe

Baza Mountains

Alicún Canal

Castril

Negratín Reservoir and surrounding areas

Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park

Zújar

City of Baza

Town of Galera

ACCOMMODATION IN GORAFE

Solano Cave

ALCÁZAR CAVE

Navarrese cave

CAVE the candle

GORAFE CAVES IN THE ALGARVES

ACCOMMODATIONS NEAR THE GRANADA GEOPARK

ATOCHAL CAVES

ALFANO CAVES

CAVES of light

arucema