Restábal: Castle, Mudéjar Church and Trails

In Restábal, local history and landscape meet: the Castillo de Restábal dates from the Nasrid period of the 14th century and served as a control point for the surrounding farmsteads. As a cultural heritage site, it is listed under identification number 4106.

Culture and History

Among the most significant surviving remains of the Castillo de Restábal is a large rectangular cistern divided into four parallel sections. A plaque explains that the Royal Road from Granada to Motril passed through Restábal until the middle of the 19th century. The former fish market of Restábal was renovated in a modern style.

The Iglesia de San Cristóbal is a 16th-century Mudéjar church and one of the oldest churches in the Valle de Lecrín. In a fire in 1965, valuable historical archives kept in the Iglesia de San Cristóbal were lost.

The historical references reveal different periods: the castle points to the Nasrid period, the church to the 16th century, the Royal Road to its former importance up to the 19th century, and the renovated former fish market to a later change in the village. This makes it possible to consider architectural remains, religious history and public places separately.

Trails and Landscape

The route of the GR-7 in Granada passes through Restábal between Saleres and Melegís. The GR-7 is signposted and officially approved. It can be travelled on foot, on horseback and by mountain bike, though not along its entire length. The Ruta del Azahar reaches Restábal on the GR-3204 road and shares a short section of just a few metres with the GR-7 there.

At the Puente del río Torrente, there is a view of Restábal town centre. East of Restábal, the Barranco de Alas features cave areas eroded into the limestone by water. From the summit of Cerro de los Canjorros, there is a panoramic view of the Valle; access is via the Barranco de las Arenas.

The shore of the Embalse de Béznar in the Cortijo de Budas area can be reached from Restábal after a ten-minute walk through orange and olive terraces. From a viewpoint, the lower part of Restábal and the enclosed town centre of Melegís can be seen.

The trail connections are clearly distinct: the GR-7 connects Saleres, Restábal and Melegís and is designated for several modes of travel, while the Ruta del Azahar coincides with it for only a few metres. In addition, there is the view of the town centre, the eroded cave areas, the panoramic view of the Valle and the route to the Embalse de Béznar through orange and olive terraces.

The different trail routes, landscapes and historical sites can be considered separately for a neutral comparison.

Getting There

Restábal can be reached via the A-44 towards Armilla–Motril, exit 160 for Lecrín–El Valle, and then via GR-SO-24 and GR-110 to the town centre.

To the general travel overview: El Varadero.