landmark
Frigiliana
Repeatedly voted Spain's prettiest white village, a steep tumble of geranium-draped lanes above the Costa del Sol.
18 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeSpainAndalusia
Arenas del Rey
Andalusia, Spain · Europe
About Arenas del Rey
Arenas del Rey is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Jayena, 22km from Caves of Nerja.
Arenas del Rey is in Andalusia, Spain, with about 2,000 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Jayena, about 6 km away.
Arenas del Rey is a village located in the province of Granada, Spain. According to the 2006 census (INE), the city had a population of 1,231 inhabitants.
The village is just north of the Sierras of Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park.
Arenas del Rey was the worst affected village in the Andalusian earthquake ofRead more
25 December 1884.
Almost 90% of the houses collapsed, and the rest were badly damaged.
The whole village was a pile of rubble.
The church and all other public buildings were destroyed.
There were 135 deaths and 253 people were injured.
The snowfall that followed caused up to three more deaths per day for over a week.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Arenas del Rey?
Within an hour or so of Arenas del Rey: Frigiliana (18 km), Caves of Nerja (22 km), Balcón de Europa, Nerja (24 km), Alhambra (36 km).
Are there any good drives near Arenas del Rey?
The nearest famous roads are Sierra Nevada road to Pico Veleta (A-395), Pico Veleta Road and Puerto de la Ragua.
Where is Arenas del Rey?
Arenas del Rey is in Andalusia, Spain, about 6 km from Jayena.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 1,978
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Spain
- Region
- Andalusia
- Timezone
- Europe/Madrid
- Coordinates
- 36.9580, -3.8936
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Spain
Guardia Civil (traffic police): 062. Two warning triangles required in vehicles.
Full driving guide for SpainTags
Worth the detour from Arenas del Rey
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Caves of Nerja
Spectacular caverns containing the world's largest known stalactite and prehistoric paintings dating back 42,000 years.
22 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Balcón de Europa, Nerja
A palm-lined seafront promenade jutting on a clifftop balcony with panoramic Mediterranean and mountain views.
24 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Alhambra
Stunning Moorish palace and fortress complex in Granada showcasing the finest Islamic art and architecture in Europe.
36 km · about 40 min drive
famous road
Sierra Nevada road to Pico Veleta (A-395)
Europe's highest surfaced road climbs from Granada toward Veleta at 3,300m; the upper section is closed to cars but the ascent is superb.
46 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
Capileira
Highest of the three whitewashed villages stacked in the Poqueira gorge of the Alpujarras, its flat-roofed Berber-style houses and chimney pots facing Mulhacén. End of the paved climb on the GR-421 before the old Sierra Nevada track.
47 km · about 55 min drive
national park
Sierra Nevada National Park
Mainland Spain's highest peaks, with the Pico Veleta road climbing past alpine lakes to nearly 3,400m near Granada.
48 km · about 55 min drive
famous road
Pico Veleta Road
Europe's highest paved road climbs from Granada past the Sierra Nevada ski station toward the 3,396 m Veleta summit, with hairpins above the clouds and views to the Mediterranean.
48 km · about 55 min drive
Driving roads near Arenas del Rey
- 24 kmBalcón de Europa, NerjaA palm-lined seafront promenade jutting on a clifftop balcony with panoramic Mediterranean and mountain views.
- 46 kmSierra Nevada road to Pico Veleta (A-395)Europe's highest surfaced road climbs from Granada toward Veleta at 3,300m; the upper section is closed to cars but the ascent is superb.
- 48 kmPico Veleta RoadEurope's highest paved road climbs from Granada past the Sierra Nevada ski station toward the 3,396 m Veleta summit, with hairpins above the clouds and views to the Mediterranean.
- 78 kmCaminito del ReyA thrilling boardwalk pinned to sheer cliff faces above the El Chorro gorge, once called the world's most dangerous path.
- 79 kmPuerto de la RaguaThe highest paved pass in Andalusia at 2041m, crossing the Sierra Nevada between the Alpujarras and the Marquesado with arid Mediterranean mountain scenery.
Driving in Spain
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.55/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€4.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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