~10 min
Lake Negratín
Freshwater beaches such as La Cabañuela: swimming, picnics and sunsets over turquoise water.
Your Freila guide
Freila & Lake Negratín
Freila lies in the Granada Geopark, recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2020. Its red-clay canyons, erosion-carved badlands and cave villages recall Arizona or New Mexico. Below the village lies Lake Negratín, the third largest reservoir in Andalusia.
No crowds, no queues: an authentic village of about a thousand people, known for its warm welcome and generous food.
2020UNESCO Global Geopark
4,722 km²of protected landscape
20 kmof turquoise lake (Negratín)
39–41 °CZújar thermal waters
822 maltitude: cool summer nights
≈ 1 h 15from Granada and the Alhambra
Things to do
Water & wellness
~10 min
Kayak & paddleboard
Rentals on the lake (from around €20 for 2 hours depending on the operator). Sailing and windsurfing too.
~25 min
Zújar hot springs
A natural 39–41 °C thermal spring by the lake, free to access all year. A spa with treatments and a hotel right next door.
Nature & hiking
0 km
Freila castle loop
A hike of about 12 km and 270 m of ascent around the village, with lake views.
~5 min
Negratín viewpoint
Overlooks the cárcavas, red-clay ravines listed as a geological site of the Geopark.
—
MTB, gravel & running
Tracks around the lake for cycling and running. Very clear skies for stargazing.
Heritage
0 km
Castle & Torre del Maruq
Nasrid remains of Freila castle and an old watchtower above the village.
~15 min
Baza
Historic town: archaeological museum, the Marzuela Arab baths, old centre.
Day trips
~45 min
Gorafe desert & dolmens
A spectacular arid landscape and a megalithic park with hundreds of dolmens.
~50 min
Guadix
An inhabited cave quarter, a cave interpretation centre, cathedral and Roman theatre.
~1 h 15
Castril
The Cerrada del río Castril walkway, one of the province's most beautiful walks.
~1 h 15
Granada & the Alhambra
A day in Granada: the Alhambra, the Albaicín and tapas. Book the Alhambra well ahead.
Times are approximate, by car. Check opening hours and prices with the organisers.
Eat & shop
Eat well, on foot from the village
Restaurants & bars
- Bar El VenenoThe village bar: generous homemade tapas, grills, fish.Freila
- Pizzería AlacenaPizzas and Spanish dishes, vegetarian options.Freila
- Restaurante Cortijo del CuraLakeside, next to the inland beach.Negratín
- Bar Restaurante La CabañuelaThe campsite's bar-restaurant, with a lakeside terrace.Negratín
- Bar La Rambla · Pub Black & WhiteFor a morning coffee or an evening drink.Freila
- Restaurante El NáuticoWell-rated Spanish and Mediterranean cooking.Negratín
Shops
- Hermanos Molina Tortosa bakeryFresh village bread.Freila
- Butcher, supermarket, bakeryThe essentials on foot from NUBE.300 m
- Large supermarkets & marketFor big group shopping.Baza
- Local Geopark produceOlive oil, cheeses, cured meats and gurullos, the local dish.Baza
Sources: Granada Geopark, Wikipedia, Komoot, Restaurant Guru. Information may change; check before you go.