Laujar de Andarax Almeria Spain. Costa Almeria Directory

The town is situated at the summit of the Pico Del Almirez, at the source of the River Andarax, which flows through the wide, fertile valley between the Sierras Nevada, de Gador and Alhamilla, reaching the sea close to Almeria. The area has a heritage of ecological farming, producing grapes for a thriving wine industry.At the Co-operativo Valle de Laujar (founded 1992), on the main road west of the town, visitors can taste and buy local wines, including the cava, the first Andalucian sparkling wine. (Shop open Mon: - Sat:, 8.30am – noon and 3.30 – 7.30pm).

The town boasts many beautiful and extraordinary buildings. In the Plaza Mayor de las Alpurjarras stands the imposing Ayuntamiento (1792), a three storey building.Its brick façade has three rounded archways on each floor and the whole is topped off with a clock (1896) and belfry. Fountains abound, a particularly splendid one being the Fuente los Cuatro Canos close to the town hall (Ayuntamiento). The Parish Church de la Encarnacion (1672 – 1686), built of brick and masonry in the form of a Roman Cross, has barrel vaulting and a dome over the transept, its chapels opening onto the nave by means of semi-circular arches.It contains several baroque retables, the one behind the high altar dating from the mid 17^th century. Close to the church stands the Casca del Vicaria (probably 17^th century), a two-storied house with an upper arcade. Inside, is a central patio with columns, off which the living quarters can be reached.There are many more, similar buildings, all privately owned, as well as other churches.

In the town, the site of the Alcazaba (Moorish citadel) provides a great viewpoint while, in contrast, standing by the main roads leading to Alcolea, Ugijar and Puerto de la Ragua, is the purpose-built Plaza de Toros (1923).

Laujur offers visitors plenty of accommodation, from good hotels to mountain huts (see below). There are a couple of good value hostales, hotels with bar and restaurant, while the Villa Turistica, at the eastern edge of the town, built in mock Alpujarran style, has gardens and a pool, and also runs horse and donkey excursions. on the same side of town, at the source of the Andarax, is a public recreation area (signed Nacimiento), pleasant and shady beside waterfalls, where you can eat at the restaurant or do your own barbeque cooking. The Sierra Nevada National Park is 15km. north of Laujar.Its information office (Centro de Visitantes), on the edge of town coming in from Ugijar, is open Thurs: - Fri:, 10.30 am – 2.30pm and Sat: and Sun:, 10.30am – 2.30pm and 6 -8pm.The centre is a starting point for spectacular walking and trekking.The mountain huts at Monterrey are within easy reach.

Public Transport
Buses leave Almeria bus station at 9am. daily except Saturday for the one and a quarter hour ride to Laujar, returning at 3.45pm.

Laujar de Andarax Almeria Spain. Costa Almeria Directory

Laujar de Andarax, Towns & Cities