Órgiva is a thriving, friendly town and is the capital of La
Alpujarra. It is one of the larger towns in the region with a population
of about 5,000. It is the first town that you reach when travelling
from the coast along the N340.
Órgiva is set in a valley surrounded by forests with the Rio Chico
running through it. It is a great location from which to explore the
wonders of Las Alpujarras. There are miles of beautiful walks or bicycle
rides, with stunning views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada, Sierra
de Lújar, and Sierra de la Contravesia.
Órgiva has an abundance of tapas bars, several restaurants, cafes,
bars, banks, internet cafes, shops and supermarkets. There is a market
(mercado) every Thursday and a larger choice of merchandise is available
in the nearby coastal resort of Motríl or in the city of Granada.
This is one of the few remaining areas of Spain where a free tapas
are served with every drink (why order a meal when you get a free
snack with every glass of wine?). There is a small cinema which is
open on Friday and Saturday evenings and occasionally shows films
in the original UK or American version. There is a small outdoor disco
at weekends in the high season where people of all ages are welcomed.
For younger children there is a playground area with swings and slides,
etc. near to the Mercado.
The main landmark in the town is the attractive twin-spire church,
La Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Expectación, which dates
from the 16th Century. There is also an old white-washed church at
the top of the town, called Ermita de San Sebastian. Both are worth
a visit. The Palace of the Counts of Sastago in the centre of the
town has been tastefully restored and is now the ayuntamiento (town
hall). There are two delightful town squares; the Plaza de la Alpujarra
has walkways displaying tile pictures of several villages in Las Alpujarras.
The Órgiva Festival is 30th September – 3rd October.