Guadix is easily one of the most unique places to visit in Spain. It’s home to one of the oldest human settlements in the country and the town has managed to beautifully preserve its historic heritage. Long before the Catholic monarchs reconquered this part of Andalusia from the Moors, Guadix was an important settlement for the Phoenicians and Carthaginians, as well as a key Roman colony. If you’re interested in history, you’ll find a lot of interesting things to do in Guadix.
The town of Guadix is located on the eastern side of the Province of Granada, making it a very off the beaten path location in southern Spain to visit. If you happen to be planning a trip in the off season, make sure you bring warmer clothing because the temperature is much lower than along the coast, and it often rains. With so many unique things to do in Guadix, it makes for the perfect day trip from places like Malaga or Granada.
Things to do in Guadix
Explore the Guadix caves
The Guadix cave district, Barrio de las Cuevas, is right at the top of the list of things to do in Guadix. These cave dwellings date back to the early 16th century and are quite remarkable to look at. They were built as a result of the Catholic monarchs driving the Moors out of cities like Granada. The Moors had to flee into the mountains where they eventually dug into the clay to make these unique houses.
It’s possible to drive around this neighbourhood, but I’d highly recommend getting out of your vehicle and walking. There are a few attractions here besides the houses such as Ermita Nueva and a small museum that’s a mirror of what the troglodyte houses look like from the inside.
Before leaving, make sure you climb up to Mirador Padre Poveda for an unbeatable view of Guadix that shows why so many spaghetti westerns and other films have been shot in the area. Mirador de la Magdalena is also a nice viewpoint but it’s closer to the centre of the town.
Alcazaba de Guadix
The Alcazaba de Guadix is one of the main attractions in Guadix, with a history dating back to the 11th century. The fortress eventually started to decline following the conquest of the Catholics in 1489, so much of its interior rooms were lost. However, by the 16th century, Alcazaba de Guadix became the seat of one of the oldest seminaries in Spain.
The best view of the fortress can be found as you make your way down from the cave neighbourhood, at Mirador de la Magdalena.
Iglesia de Santo Domingo
There are a lot of churches in Guadix but some are more worth visiting than others. Iglesia de Santo Domingo was constructed in the 16th century under the orders of Ferdinand and Isabella. It’s free to enter and although it doesn’t look like much from the outside, it’s the intricately carved wooden ceiling that most people come to look at. If you’re interested in history or religious buildings, then visiting Iglesia de Santo Domingo is one of the best things to do in Guadix.
Plaza de la Constitucion
As you’re making your way through the historic centre of Guadix, make sure you stop by Plaza de la Constitucion. This is the town’s main plaza and it sits opposite the cathedral so it’s easy to locate. On a sunny day, this is a lovely place to sit and relax for a while as you admire the 16th century architecture of this impressive public space. Unfortunately, we had a lot of rain during our trip to Guadix so we couldn’t enjoy it in its entirety.
Iglesia de Santiago
Iglesia de Santiago is one of the most prominent churches in Guadix. It was built in the 16th century on the site of a mosque, and it’s located opposite Palacio de Peñaflor (permanently closed). It’s a beautiful church built in the Gothic-Mudejar style, but sadly it wasn’t open when we visited. There’s a nice vantage point of the church from the road that the palace sits on, and an information sign noted that the church has featured in a number of films in the past.
Teatro Romano
One of the best things to do in Guadix for history lovers is to visit Teatro Romano. The archaeological remains of this Roman amphitheatre date back to the 1st century AD. This indicates that a rather large Roman colony was formed here, hence the need for a place for leisure activities. The archeological site sits at the base of the old town, although it’s not clear what times the site is open to the public.
Guadix Cathedral
During a day trip to Guadix, you shouldn’t miss the chance to visit Guadix Cathedral. It was built between the 16th and 18th centuries and it’s a major highlight of the town. Inside, visitors can explore the main part of the cathedral as well as the side chapels and the museum. If you’re interested in art, Guadix Cathedral also has more than 40 oil paintings to discover. Make sure you add this impressive historic cathedral to your list of things to do in Guadix, especially if you’re only visiting as part of a day trip.
Walk along the historic streets of Guadix
If you have some spare time, one of the best things to do in Guadix is to explore the historic streets of the old town. There are a lot of hidden gems located off the usual tourist route that are worth exploring. You’ll also come across numerous locally run eateries, bars, and some nice shops to stop at. Even on a rainy day, you’ll have a great time walking around this less touristy part of Granada.
Find some palaces in Guadix
The main attractions in Guadix are the alcazaba, the cathedral, and the cave houses. However, Guadix is also home to its fair share of palaces. Palacio de Peñaflor, for example, dates back to the 17th century and shows how much influence noble families had on the growth of the town. Another similar palace is Palacio de los Marqueses de Villalegre which was built in the 16th century and is located close to the cathedral.
Take a photo under the arch
While you’re visiting Guadix Cathedral, don’t forget to take a photo under the arch. It’s located at the rear of the cathedral, along a quiet street, and it’s considered to be one of the best photo spots in Guadix old town. The entire area around the cathedral is nice to walk around too, so if you have some free time I’d recommend adding it to your plans.
Where to eat in Guadix
If you’re visiting Guadix in the off season, you may find that some restaurants are closed. However, there are plenty of places to eat in Guadix both in the old town and outside of it. We only spent one day in Guadix, so we didn’t have time to check out all of the restaurants here. One that comes highly recommended is La Bodeguilla which is the oldest tapas bar in Guadix. They don’t have a big menu though, so expect crisps and cold tapas options to pair with your drinks.
Where to stay in Guadix
Are you thinking of staying overnight in Guadix? If you are, Hotel Palacio de Oñate and Hotel Abades Guadix come highly recommended and have good online reviews. We decided to stay a short drive from Guadix, in La Calahorra, at Hospederia del Zenete because one of the most impressive castles in Granada is located here and the hotel sits across the road from it.
Is Guadix worth visiting?
Are you still wondering if Guadix is worth visiting? Whether you plan to visit as part of a day trip from Granada, or you want to stay longer in this part of the province, spending some time exploring the historic streets of Guadix definitely needs to be in your plans. It’s a very unique town in Andalusia, with cave houses that are among the oldest in Europe. It’s also ideal if you like to visit off the beaten path places while you travel. Guadix should be visited at least once, so make sure you don’t miss out.
If you have any questions regarding things to do in Guadix or places to drive to in Granada, please feel free to reach out via email or by filling out the contact form. You can also get in touch via Instagram where you can follow along with my latest travels. Or, if you prefer, you can follow me on TikTok too where I’m always sharing unique travel tips.
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