La Zubia: Mudéjar Art, Waterways and Hiking

La Zubia combines protected cultural heritage with hiking trails offering different access routes and a history of water use. If you’re looking for a hotel in La Zubia, you can plan your stay around these highlights: historic baths and church art, routes through the landscape, and local craft traditions.

History between the baths and church art

The Baños Arabes de La Zubia were built between the 12th and 13th centuries as a rural Muslim bathhouse. Two rooms are fully preserved, while remains of a third are visible. The baths are protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category. The contrast between the fully preserved rooms and the remains of the third is one of their distinctive architectural details.

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is also protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category. It was built in the second half of the 16th century and is considered one of the finest examples of Mudéjar art in the province of Granada. Ambrosio Vico designed the main altarpiece in 1614; one of the images it contains was painted by Pedro de Raxis between 1616 and 1617. Its construction date, style and specifically attributed artists give the church its own art-historical significance.

The Ermita del Calvario, also known as the Ermita del Santo Sepulcro or Ermita de San Antonio, dates from the 18th century. It is an example of popular religious architecture and marked the end of La Zubia’s Via Crucis. The Iglesia de San Luis del Real and its monastery gardens are listed as a visitor attraction. From there, Queen Isabella I of Castile watched the Battle of La Zubia in 1491.

Waterways and specific hiking trail access points

The Ruta del Agua is a hiking route through the landscape and the Vega of La Zubia that explores the history of water use. Along the way are irrigation channels, mills, water basins and orchards, as well as small aqueducts that are more than 800 years old. If you’re joining an organised departure, it’s advisable to check the current programme in advance.

Access to other trails can also be distinguished by their starting points. From La Zubia, the route to the Canal de la Espartera–Arenales del Trevenque trail passes through Cumbres Verdes and follows the forest track to the Los Alayos viewpoint, where the trail begins. The Haza Larguilla trail begins at Collado Sevilla; access follows the road to Cumbres Verdes and then the forest track there. To reach the Sendero Sulayr from La Zubia, take the road to Cumbres Verdes and then follow a 10 km forest track to the Jardín Botánico de La Cortijuela. If you’re planning to use this access route, check current transport options.

Parks, walking tours and carpet-making

Parque de las Canteras covers 56.62 hectares and has sports trails and recreational areas. Alongside the longer hiking access routes, it offers designated areas for leisure and exercise as another factor to consider when planning your stay. Which of these highlights matters most to you depends on whether you’re more interested in protected architecture, waterways or other outdoor activities.

The Itinerarios Didácticos de La Zubia cover the themes of monumental La Zubia, traditional crafts and Parque Natural. Some of the walking tour programme is educational. At ALP CARPETS’ facilities in La Zubia, the entire carpet-making process takes place: from designing and dyeing the wool to setting up the looms, knotting and finishing. This look at the production stages adds a tangible craft dimension to the area’s architectural and water-related history.

Discover more destinations: Cortes De Baza, Zújar, Villanueva De Las Torres, Laroles, Alhama De Granada, Murtas, Montejícar, Alhendín

For the main travel overview: Granada.