The Province of Granada is an incredible part of Andalusia to explore. Unfortunately, many visitors opt to only visit the city of Granada and fail to see other parts of this unique province in southern Spain. You’ll find a lot of small towns and villages here, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth adding to your itinerary. For example, there are quite a few things to do in Loja, despite its small size.
Granada is rich in history, and at almost every turn you’ll find historic buildings, ancient roads, and breathtaking landscapes. If you’re interested in seeing more of this province, it’s a great idea to plan a road trip in Granada so you can travel at your own pace. Some of the points of interest in the province won’t take an entire day to go around, so you can easily see a few attractions or villages in one day.
The town of Loja sits along the border of Malaga and Granada, and it’s just 55 km away from the city of Granada. The origins of the town date back to prehistoric times, and it later became an important trade centre that specialized in spices until the 9th century. The town then came under Muslim rule before it was captured by the Catholic army in the late 15th century. You’ll learn more about the unique history of Loja as you walk along its narrow streets. Here are some tips regarding things to do in Loja.
Renting a car in southern Spain
Renting a car in southern Spain is highly recommended so you have the freedom to travel where you want without relying on public transportation. If you’re flying into Malaga, Helle Hollis is a reputable company with offices that are open 24/7. They make sure to regularly change their fleet of vehicles so you’re sure to get a high-quality rental. The customer service team at Helle Hollis are very nice to speak to as well and always on hand to help.
Things to do in Loja
1. Plaza de la Constitucion
One of the top things to do in Loja is to visit Plaza de la Constitucion. It’s a beautiful plaza that’s lined with historic buildings, and in the centre sits a prominent statue. Although there isn’t much to see here in terms of attractions, it’s a lovely part of the city to briefly walk around and photograph. You’ll also find quite a few cafes in the area which are nice to stop at for a quick drink.
2. Puerta del Jaufin
Loja is a town steeped in history, and one of the oldest structures still standing here is the Puerta del Jaufin. This entry gate now forms part of a private residence, but you can still read about it on an information board on the wall. During the period of Reconquest, this gate would have been the only access point between two of the neighbourhoods in the town. The plaza that the gate sits in is worth taking a walk around as well.
3. Municipal Historical Museum
If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Loja, the Municipal Historical Museum is a good place to start. This is one of the many free things to do in Loja, and it’s located at the entrance to the fortress. The museum isn’t big, so it won’t take you much time to go through. It does have a nice archeological exhibition though, including documents and funerary objects.
4. Alcazaba de Loja
Out of all of the things to do in Loja, visiting the Alcazaba de Loja is the most popular. The remains of this fortress date back to the 9th century and it’s from this location that the Muslim town expanded. Despite its ruined state, visitors can still clearly see the walls and many of the towers of the fortress. Alcazaba de Loja also offers a nice view of the town, and it’s not a bad photo spot either.
5. Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnacion
There are a couple of impressive churches in Loja to visit. One of my favourite churches is Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnacion which you can get a very nice view of from the fortress. It’s located in the centre of the town and although work on it began in the 15th century, it was completed until the 18th century. The intention of the church was to dominate the main mosque that once stood on this site.
6. Follow the historic trail
One of the most unique things to do in Loja is to follow what I’ve called the “historic trail”. As you make your way up to the fortress, you’ll come across a number of interesting drawings on the walls that depict figures from the town’s earlier history. Some of these drawings are complemented by informative signs that tell you a little bit more about the history of the town. Most, however, are just there to greet you and show you the route to Alcazaba de Loja.
7. Take in the view at Mirador Isabel I de Castilla
Before leaving Loja, make sure you stop at Mirador Isabel I de Castilla. This viewpoint sits high above the town, along a main road, and there’s parking available on the street so it’s easy to access. From here you’ll get a bird’s eye view of Loja, with a beautiful landscape as the backdrop. I’d recommend coming here near sunset for the best lighting. Visiting Mirador Isabel I de Castilla is one of the best things to do in Loja to round off your day.
Where to stay near Loja
Loja is a very small town, so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend staying here. There are plenty of places to stay in the area surrounding Loja though, including quaint rural houses and villas for rent. Casa Marrojo Loja sits just a short drive from Loja or Villa Lolo is a great option if you’re travelling with a larger group.
Is Loja, Granada worth visiting?
Despite its small size, Loja in Granada is definitely worth visiting. Although I wouldn’t recommend planning an entire day here, spending a few hours exploring its historic streets and attractions is worth it if you like less touristy areas. Since Loja is just a short drive from both Malaga Centro and the city of Granada, it’s very easy to put into your road trip plans. You may want to add Antequera or El Torcal to your itinerary too, which are both popular places to visit in the nearby Province of Malaga.
If you have any questions about things to do in Loja, or you want some other recommendations about places to drive to in the Province of Granada, feel free to reach out! You can also follow my travels on Instagram and TikTok where I’m always sharing new travel tips and ideas about where to travel to next.
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