A Guide to the Best Things to do in Lanjarón

Last Updated on 25th March 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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Nestled within the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the beautiful town of Lanjarón is best associated with water thanks to the many potable water fountains scattered through its streets and the mineral properties of the water found there.

Indeed, many people believe that the name Lanjarón derives from a pre-Roman Iberian word ‘lanchar’ which means ‘place with abundance of water’. Another theory suggests that the name comes from the Arabic word Al-lancharon, meaning “place of sources or springs”.

Since the 18th-century, there have been thermal baths in the town and Lanjarón has become known as an Andalusian escape and spa town, much like Bath in England.

There might actually be something to the water, or at the very least, the stunning natural beauty of the place, the calming ambiance, and the fresh, clean mountain air, because the WHO has recognised Lanjarón as being one of the places with the greatest longevity in the world.

Lanjarón now has a population of around 4000 residents and is known as the Gateway to the Alpujarra thanks to its strategic position at the westerly point of the Granadan Alpujarras, though it’s also not too far from the coastline. In Moorish times, the town was located along the Moorish silk route.

The largest water fight in Spain

One of the most exciting festivals which takes place each year is the largest water fight in Spain! On midnight of the 23rd of June up until 6 AM of the 24th June residents line the streets with hosepipes and jugs of water and the like. From then on, the largest water fight takes place in honour of San Sebastian, who is the patron saint of the town.

Best things to do in Lanjarón

See the town from afar

If you head out of town or visit the town via Órgiva, then on this road you’ll find a large natural balcony overlooking the town. There’s plenty of parking here and you can read the various information points, snap photos with the Lanjarón sign, and enjoy the view onto the town below.

This lookout point is known as La Cañona Viewpoint and you’ll even find an old canon here that was used during the war against French troops.

Wander the town

One of the best ways to enjoy the architectural beauty of Lanjarón is to wander around and allow the town to reveal itself to you. The historic city centre is really quite charming and you’ll find lots of independent boutiques, cafés, and restaurants.

See the fountains

The water is of such high quality that it is bottled and sold all over Spain. Across Lanjarón you’ll find around 20 fountains which spout out potable water. The fountains with drinking water are labelled as such with a little ceramic plaque.

One of the largest fountains is the Fuente de las Adelfas, while one of the most popular is Pilarillo Vuelto. The water is naturally rich in  chloride, sodium, calcium, and iron.

Church

The main church in town is the Church of the Incarnation and was constructed in the middle of the 16th century on the site where there was once a mosque. Today, highlights of the church include the 1617 built chapel of the Rosario and the ornate gold covered central altar.

Honey Museum

There’s one museum in town which is pretty particularly interesting and that is the honey museum. Located on the fringes of town, this cultural space is a Beekeeping Interpretation Centre for the Conservation of Biodiversity and houses lots of interactive exhibits about bees and honey production (you can even sample honey!)

Sample local wine

If there’s one thing that Lanjarón and its surrounding region are known for, its fortified sweet wine.

Soak in the Balneario

As I mentioned, the spa is one of the most important characteristics of a trip to Lanjarón and there are a few thermal bath locations in town where you can go for various treatments. One of the more popular places is the Balneario de Lanjaron. They even have rooms where you can book a longer stay. Check prices and availability here.

Buy some wicker souvenirs

Every town in the Alpajurras has its own speciality. For example, that of Trevelez is ham. As well as water, wicker crafts is another speciality of Lanjarón is its wicker crafts, which were traditionally made from shrubs that grew alongside the Lanjarón River. Today, some of the most produced items include baskets, armchairs, kitchen utensils, and even beds.

Moorish Castle

The Moorish castle is one of the most interesting things to see in town and the best part is that it’s completely free to visit. The castle was probably constructed during the 11th or 12th centuries but much of what you see today was built during the 14th-century.

Perched on a natural rocky limestone outcrop that towers above the surrounding area, the castle was used by the Moors to stave off would be invaders and then used once more during Napoleonic times. What’s clear is that the castle is probably only a third of the size of what was probably once there.

Today there’s a huge free car park at the base of the castle (the initial road to get down there feels a bit scary and uneven but the car park itself is well maintained), and from there you can climb the steep stairs to reach the castle.

Once you reach the entrance to the castle, you’ll come across an iron grill. This gate isn’t actually locked but is stiff, so pull the latch hard to open the gates. Once inside, you can see the remains of the castle, walk on a metal walkway that has been installed along the former ramparts, and even see the remains of an oubliette.

If you are travelling with kids or pets then do be sure to keep a close eye on them as, even though there are barriers in place, the cliff face drop is steep and pretty scary! You should also note that, even if it doesn’t feel windy in the town itself, it can at the castle.

I found that a lot of people online had left negative reviews about the state of the castle and its surroundings, but when my husband and I visited in spring of 2024 we found the paths to be clear, easy to walk on, and pretty clean.

Amenities

Lanjarón has all the amenities you would expect for a town of this size and important. There’s a pharmacy, supermarket, plenty of bars and restaurants, and even a tourist information point in the town hall (ayuntamiento) where you can get leaflets and brochures to help you make your way through town.

Getting to Lanjarón

I would personally rent your own vehicle so that you’re not having to rely on scarce public transport. Check car rental comparison prices here. Another option if you would like all of the transport and itinerary details taken care of for you is to book a guided tour from Granada like this one.

There’s ample parking across the fringes of the town, though I would personally not recommend driving through town as it’s pretty narrow (especially during peak season- June and July- when Lanjarón can get particularly busy).

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