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The village of Zuheros (Andalucia) – Tips + photos

Last updated on January 30, 2023 by Claire / this article contains affiliate links (Info)

The village of Zuheros in Andalucia is one of my favorite pueblos blancos (white villages) in the region. 
Less visited than the ones by the coast, it offers stunning viewpoints, a castle and a canyon.
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit with tips, photos and map.

village Zuheros andalucia Travel Pin2

Table Of Contents
Why visit the village of Zuheros?
Planning Tips & Map - Zuheros Andalucia
Walking in the Zuheros white village
Zuheros Castle & Church (Castillo Sujayra)
Museums
Views from below the castle
Rio Bailon canyon - hike 
Cueva de los Murciélagos - Zuheros cave

// In this article, no ads, no sponsored posts. Just some affiliate links.
// If you purchase through them, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (Disclosure).


Why visit the village of Zuheros?

The white villages of Andalucia are splendid against the mountainous backdrop of the region. There are so many to visit that it can be difficult to reduce the itinerary.
Zuheros requires a little detour from the traditional road trip routes, but I think it is worth it. It was one of my favorite villages because:

  • It has the perfect size
  • There is a magnificent view over the whole village from the entrance - as you can see in the picture below.
  • The little castle is embedded in the rock wall
  • It has not become just a touristic attraction like other villages
  • There is a beautiful canyon just behind it
village of Zuheros Andalucia

Village of Zuheros, Andalucia

The village has around 800 inhabitants.
It is considered, by some, to be the most beautiful village in the World. But I think every region in the world has one of those... Definitively one of the best landscapes in Andalucia.

If believe the picture above must be enough to convince you to visit, but if you need more, below is a short video of what a visit to the village could look like:

Many more photos of the village after the planning tips.


Planning Tips & Map - Zuheros Andalucia

Where is Zuheros in Andalucia? - Map and location

  • Between Cordoba and Granada
  • Detour from Road N432, not far from Alcaudete
  • Cordoba to Zuheros = 1h15 drive
  • Granada to Zuheros = 1h40 drive
  • Jaen to Zuheros = 1h drive
  • Below is a map to help you get oriented:
village Zuheros Andalucia Map Location

Zuheros in Andalucia - Map of location

This highlight (with GPS coordinates and practical tips)  is included in my Travel Guide eBook that helps you early plan your road trip around Andalucia:

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

Small Andalucia eBook Cover

Plan your perfect trip around Andalucia!

  • 7 easy-to-plan maps
  • 150+ pre-selected scenic locations
  • Planning tips to make the most of your time
  • 300+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE

How to get to Zuheros 

  • You need a car to visit Zuheros
  • Mountain road to reach the village - not difficult
  • No much in terms of tours or public transportation

Need to rent a car in Andalucia? My tips:

  • Compare car rental prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com - one of the best rated sites!
  • Choose the car and company you prefer (remember the villages narrow streets)
  • Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind! 
  • Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
  • See all my 36 tips about renting a car in Spain
Renting a car Spain Tips

The drive to Zuheros does not present any difficulty. It is a small mountain road but there is one lane in each direction. And the view as you arrive at the village is picture perfect!

carpark Zuheros Andalucia

Village entrance carpark

carpark canyon Zuheros Andalucia

Canyon carpark

Visit Tips 

  • The village is niched against the mountain, so parking places are limited. There are a few parking spots near the entrance of the village
  • Otherwise there is a larger carpark near the entrance to the canyon, but that means a steep ascent to the castle - GPS coordinates in the eBook
  • Plan 2h to explore the village, and more if you want to hike in the canyon
  • Once at the top, the village is quite easy to explore
  • Public toilets near the castle
  • There are limited accommodations if you want to stay in the village - check out options
Road to Zuheros Andalucia

Looking for the best place to stay in Andalucia?

Where to stay in Andalucia best places

See my selection of the 15 best areas in Andalucia to enjoy beach, cities, attractions...
+ fantastic accommodation options

+ read more

Walking in the Zuheros white village

The first thing to do in Zuheros is to enjoy walking through the charming streets with white houses colored by plants.

I don't have any special street to recommend. It is fun to just follow your idea. Don't worry, you won't get lost, the village is not that big!
It is a tradition to have potted plants near your entrance. It represents the family.
And it is great for taking photographs LOL!

Zuheros white village photo 2

Compared to others, the ground of Zuheros is not so difficult on the ankles.
The village is quite well maintained and walking around is relatively easy.

Plus, as it is off the beaten path in Andalucia, you can enjoy it by yourself when off season!

Zuheros white village photo 3

At one end you reach the castle. I will tell you more about it in the next section. It is the main attraction of the village.
It is very practical to get oriented.

Zuheros white village photo 4

Quick history:

The village was established to protect the Camino de los Metedores (the Smugglers track).
At the end fo the 9th century, the castle was build and in 1240 it was conquered by Fernando III. It became part of the border with the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada.
In 1293 it was conquered again, and since them it has stayed under the jurisdiction of Cordoba.

Towards the end of the ninth century, Banu Himsi soldiers built a castle on the impregnable rocks, called Sujaira.

In the year 1240, the settlement was conquered by Fernando III, placing the castle under seigneurial jurisdiction and thus strengthening the border with the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. Alfonso X "El Sabio" gave it to his son, Infante Don Juan, however, following the breach of an agreement, Sancho IV ordered a conquest for the Council of Cordoba in 1293, so the village remains until today under its jurisdiction. Varying lords and their respective houses were in control of the village thereafter, until the abolition of the Señoríos. See more >
Zuheros white village photo 5

Zuheros Castle & Church (Castillo Sujayra)

And we arrive at the main square of the village. Here you have a magnificent view with the church and the tower of the castle mixed with the natural rocky promontory.

Zuheros church: Nostra Senora de los Remedios

Zuheros castle 1

According to the sign next to it:
It is an ancient mosque. Only the base of the minaret remains (now the bell tower).
The Altar piece with the carving of the Virgin is from the 13th century.

Zuheros Castle

Zuheros castle 2

The castle has been built on a rocky promontory during the 9th century by the Arabs. They named it Sujayra. This is where the village of Zuheros got its name.
During the 15th century it underwent a Renaissance remodeling inside.
Take the time to admire how it was built around the rocks using the natural fortification to create a stronghold.
One of the best castles in Andalucia - see our list.

Zuheros fort
Zuheros fort

Museums

There are a few small museums in the village - opening hours may vary.

Museum of costumes and popular arts

The main building at the entrance of the village houses the Museum of costumes and popular arts.
It is only open to the general public at the end of the day on Fridays and during weekends and public holidays.

Zuheros white village photo 1

Archeological museum

You can also visit the museum where you will find prehistoric objects found in the nearby cave of Murcielagos as well as ceramics from the neolithics.
It is located opposite the church.
Closed on Mondays 

Museum of Francisco Poyato

In one of the houses not far from the castle you can find another small museum dedicated to Francisco Poyato. He is an artist with drawings, paintings and sculptures.

Open Wednesday to Sunday during certain hours.

Museum of Francisco Poyato

Views from below the castle

Next you can explore the fortifications around the castle. It offers splendid views of the region, which is famous for its olive oil.

View from Zuheros 1

From one of the platforms, you have a fantastic view of the canyon that I will introduce in the next section.
Zuheros is indeed at the edge of the Subbetica mountain range (Sierras Subbeticas) which is a Unesco Global Geopark (learn more). The Subbetica is made of 14 towns and a large Natural park.

View from Zuheros Andalucia 2

As you can see, there are olive trees as far as the eyes can see:

View from Zuheros Andalucia 3
View from Zuheros Andalucia 4

And keep track of your own trip!

Andalucia road trip journal

Rio Bailon canyon - hike 

If you are looking for an adventure in Nature, just below the village is the departure point of the hike in Rio Bailon Canyon.
The limestone was carved by the river thousands of years ago.
The trail is a loop. At the beginning you follow the edge of the river with beautiful views of the village and the cliffs.
Then you walk away from the river and into a green valley, spotting the ruins of farms along the way. You finish the trail via a plain full of olive trees.

Below is the entrance to the canyon:

Rio Bailon canyon - hike 1
Rio Bailon canyon - hike 3

The loop takes around 4h to cover 13km (8 miles).
There is also a shorter loop of 4.5km (3.7 mi) over 2h.
The canyon should be avoided during or after heavy rain.
Other walking trails are available in the area.

Rio Bailon canyon - hike loop

Even if you don't go for the hike, you can appreciate the view of the village from above.

Rio Bailon canyon - hike 2

Cueva de los Murciélagos - Zuheros cave

The other main interest of the area is the Los Murcielagos caves.
It is located above the village, at the end of road CV 247 (4km from town)/.

It is a cave system discovered in 1968.
It is known for several reasons:

  • It is home to one of the largest bat colonies in Andalucia
  • Tombs were found, providing evidence of human occupation 35,000 years ago.
  • Upper Paleolithic paintings have been found inside
  • Objects from the neolithics were also found in the cave

The system has a total length of 2000m but only 450m can be accessed.
During the visit you can see paintings of horses, bears and goats.
It is recommended to book your tour (which is limited to 30 people) - +34 957 69 45 45 - in Winter, they may not run the tours.
Always closed on Mondays

Cueva de los Murciélagos

Nikater / CC BY-SA 


Want to see more of the best Andalucia white villages and other attractions?

  • 17 Most beautiful white villages in Andalucia - read article
  • 24 Best things to do in Andalucia - read article (to be published)
  • 40 best landscapes of Andalucia in pictures - read article
  • 20 Best beaches in Andalucia - read article
  • Setenil de la Bodegas and its giant rocks overhanging - read article

Planning a trip to Andalucia?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan your itinerary:

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

Small Andalucia eBook Cover

Plan your perfect trip around Andalucia!

  • 7 easy-to-plan maps
  • 150+ pre-selected scenic locations
  • Planning tips to make the most of your time
  • 300+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE


Want to see more of ANDALUCIA

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Driving in Andalucia

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Best things to do in Ronda

tourism Andalucia Travel Guide

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