The highest of the three Poqueira villages and arguably the most dramatic. Flat-roofed Berber houses, extraordinary views over the gorge, and a road that continues beyond the village up towards the Veleta peak.
The highest of the three villages in the Poqueira gorge, Capileira sits at around 1,450 metres on the southern face of the Sierra Nevada. The village is largely unchanged in character — flat-roofed Berber houses with stone slabs (laúnas) on the roofs, narrow lanes, and the distinctive round chimney pots that appear throughout the Alpujarras. Above the village the road continues up to the Veleta peak, one of the highest points in mainland Spain, making Capileira a useful starting point for serious sierra hikes.
The Museo de las Tradiciones y Artes Populares de la Alpujarra, in the centre of the village, has a good collection of local crafts, traditional tools, and information about the area's Moorish and Berber history. The village is small enough to walk completely in an hour, but the views over the gorge and towards the Mediterranean on a clear day make it worth more time than that. A handful of local restaurants serve plato alpujarreño and other mountain dishes. Combine with Pampaneira and Bubión on the same day.
The road above Capileira winds up to the Refugio Poqueira and beyond. Even driving a few kilometres beyond the village dramatically changes the landscape — pines, snow in winter, and views back down the gorge that are hard to beat.
The Museo de las Tradiciones y Artes Populares de la Alpujarra is small but genuinely interesting. The collection of traditional tools, crafts, and historical photos puts the architecture and landscape around you into context.
Pampaneira, Bubión, and Capileira are all within a few kilometres of each other on the same mountain road. Start at Pampaneira at the base, work your way up, and finish at Capileira for the afternoon views.
Stay in Realejo, day trip to the mountains. Private pool, panoramic terrace, direct booking.
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