Let yourself be seduced by the wild charm of Zahara de la Sierra! Dominated by its impressive 12th-century Nasrid castle, the village offers breathtaking panoramic views of the emerald lake and surrounding valleys. You’ll be won over by its picturesque streets, peaceful atmosphere and heritage.
Here’s our guide to the must-see sights in Zahara de la Sierra, Andalucia, and some useful tips for planning your visit.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Is the village of Zahara de la Sierra worth a visit?
Yes, the village of Zahara de la Sierra is well worth a visit for its authentic charm and superb views over its lake and the surrounding green valleys.
It even features on our list of the most beautiful villages in Andalucia!
1. Admire the views from the road
Before exploring the village of Zahara de la Sierra, a little history is in order! Situated on a hilltop, this village was one of the links in the Nasrid defensive system before falling into Christian hands during the Reconquest in 1483.
From the road, you can admire the majestic silhouette of the village silhouetted against the mountains. Don’t miss the winding, photogenic Puerto de las Palomas pass road.
Note that if you don’t have a car, you can discover it on an organized tour from Sevilla.
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2. Explore the castle ruins and Torre del Homenaje
You won’t want to miss Zahara de la Sierra Castle, which dominates the landscape.
This 12th-century fortress, a vestige of the Muslim era, offers a walk along its ramparts. Among the castle’s captivating ruins, the highlight is the Torre del Homenaje (Homage Tower), the last defensive bastion. From its summit, admire a spectacular panoramic view of Lake Zahara-El Gastor, the nearby white villages and the surrounding landscape.
- Opening hours: daily from 09:30 to 19:45
- Price: €3.50 (access to the château and interpretation center)
- To reach the castle, it’s a 15-minute climb from Place de l’Église in the center of the village. The descent is via a steep staircase. Good walking shoes are essential. More information on the official village website here.
3. Take a break at Emerald Lake
The star of the village! This magnificent artificial lake, inaugurated in 1995, is fed by the Guadalete River and offers an exceptional natural setting with its turquoise waters.
Good news for summer visitors: the lake is open for swimming! Just a 9-minute drive from the village, the Playita area stretches between orchards and fruit trees, and offers a very pleasant bathing break. Open all year round, it has a bar-restaurant, play areas and even offers the possibility of renting deckchairs and horses to explore the surrounding area.
- Opening hours: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., June to September
- Supervised swimming and on-site parking
- Price: €3.50 (adult rate)
- See the latest news on the official website here
RENT A CAR IN Andalucia
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a compact car, as some villages have very narrow streets!
- Think ofcomprehensive insurance for the same reason
- Book early for choice.
4. Wander through the village lanes
Let yourself be seduced by the authentic charm of Zahara de la Sierra. Stroll through its picturesque streets and enjoy the atmosphere of yesteryear, especially in spring, when the balconies are adorned with flowers. Don’t miss the botanical garden in the center of the village, where you can contemplate the Pinsapar, a unique formation of Mediterranean fir trees, the jewel of the natural park. And for a breathtaking view, head to the Mirador Plaza del Rey, which offers a 360° panorama of the lake and the village rooftops!
WHERE TO STAY IN Ronda
Option 1: In the historic or modern city center
We recommend exploring the attractions on foot:
- Hotel Casa Palacio Villa Zambra – See prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Palacio de Hemingway – See prices, photos and availability
Option 2: In the surrounding countryside
If you prefer nature and peace and quiet, we recommend it:
- Hotel Cortijo La Organic – See photos and availability.
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Ronda
5. Venture along the paths of the Sierra de Grazalema
Zahara de la Sierra is an ideal destination for hiking enthusiasts, as numerous trails start from the village and explore incredible panoramas. We particularly recommend the shores of Lake Zahara-El Gastor for a peaceful stroll along the water’s edge. The Sendero acuático Arroyo Bocaleones, meanwhile, is an aquatic stroll through fascinating gorges. Finally, we recommend the impressive Garganta Verde trail, which starts south of the village, an 8-minute drive away, and plunges into a cave, the cueva de la Ermita. To carry out this hike, you’ll need to request access authorization in advance (more info here).
- Opening hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but we advise you to hike early in the morning to avoid the heat.
- Bring your own picnic and plenty of water, as you won’t find anything on the trails.
- Want to discover Zahara de la Sierra by bike? Discover prices and info here.
FUN in Andalucia: activities
- Cooking course in Sevilla
- Canyoning from the Costa del Sol
- Caminito del Rey guided hike
Other attractions in and around Zahara de la Sierra
Discover the religious heritage of Zahara de la Sierra
Don’t forget to explore the village of Zahara de la Sierra and its various religious buildings:
- The church of Santa María de la Mesa, an 18th-century Baroque gem, surprised us with its pink marble façade and dome covered in colorful azulejos.
- The 20th-century Chapel of San Juan de Letran is also noteworthy for its elegant, yellow-toned façade and Baroque altarpiece. Just behind this chapel stands the Tour de l’Horloge, a 16th-century remnant of a former hermitage.
Explore other white villages
You loved visiting the village of Zahara de la Sierra and you want more? Don’t worry, you’ve still got dozens of white villages to visit! While their common feature is the cluster of whitewashed houses, each village has its own unique charm. We recommend Grazalema for its magnificent views, or Setenil de las Bodegas for its houses carved out of the rock. History buffs will opt for Arcos de la Frontera, while craft enthusiasts will love Ubrique for its leather goods.
Discover Ronda and its emblematic point
Just 40 minutes from Zahara de la Sierra, you’ll find the town of Ronda and its Puente Nuevo, spanning a deep natural canyon. You’ll be spoilt for choice, from strolling along the narrow streets of the old medina, to discovering its flamboyant past through its amazing museums, or simply admiring the breathtaking landscapes it overlooks.
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How to get to Zahara de la Sierra + parking
Where to find Zahara de la Sierra
- In the Ronda region
- From Ronda to Zahara de la Sierra = 40 minutes drive
- Sevilla to Zahara de la Sierra = 1h25 drive
How to get there
The easiest way to enjoy the village and the surrounding area is to rent a car. There are several car rental companies in major cities such as Malaga and Sevilla.
We particularly recommend the Paloma route
You can find some direct buses from Málaga to Zahara de la Sierra by looking here, but you’ll take longer than by car.
Otherwise, if you don’t have a car, the easiest way is to join an organized tour from Sevilla: see prices, info and availability.
Parking in Zahara de la Sierra
There are several parking lots at the bottom of the village and under the castle.
Note, however, that to reach the center, the streets are quite steep.
Useful tips for visiting Zahara de la Sierra
How long and when?
Allow 2 hours if you want to stroll through the village and visit the castle, but more likely half a day if you want to combine the village with a hike.
Note that Zahara de la Sierra, although less frequented than some other white villages, is most visited between April and June, when the vegetation is lush and the weather is pleasant.
We recommend arriving early in the morning to take advantage of the village’s calm and the cool morning air, ideal for climbing up to the castle. Alternatively, come at the end of the day to admire the magnificent sunset from Lake Zahara-El Gastor.
Tour directions, map and difficulty
There’s no particular way to visit the village, but you can refer to the map below.
Finally, please note that the floors can be uneven, and many passages have slopes and steps. We recommend good walking shoes for strolling around the village, especially to reach the castle area where you’ll need to climb.
Visiting with children
We didn’t see any specific attractions for children.
They should, however, enjoy the secret passages in some of the center’s alleyways and, above all, take a dip in the lake!
Restaurants
We haven’t yet tried out the restaurants in Zahara de la Sierra, but we’ve spotted the Meson Oñate Restaurant for its incredible view of the lake, or if you prefer a quick snack, the Confitería Las Marinetas patisserie offers plenty of local sweets.
Formerly known as Zahara de los Membrillos, this village owes its name to its large production of quince fruit. Don’t hesitate to try them if you find them on the menu!
Hotels
After a day exploring Zahara de la Sierra, why not extend your experience by staying overnight? However, hotel accommodation is limited. Instead, you’ll find bed & breakfasts, inns or apartments for rent. Find the best-rated accommodations on Booking.
Last but not least, Ronda is only 40 minutes away, so you can plan to spend the night in this lively city all year round: see our article with our best addresses.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Andalusia
Inspiration
- Best things to do in Andalucia
- The most beautiful cities
- The most beautiful white villages
- Cathedrals
- Archaeological sites
- Seville, Cordoba or Granada? (coming soon)
Practice
- Where to stay in Andalucia (coming soon)
- Best luxury hotels in Andalusia (coming soon)
- Rent a car in Andalusia (coming soon)
- Itineraries: 3 days – 4 or 5 days – 1 week – 10 days – 2 weeks (coming soon)
Places not to be missed
- Things to do in Sevilla
- Things to do in Cordoba (coming soon)
- Things to do in Granada
- Things to do in Ronda
- Things to do in Malaga
- Things to do in Cadiz (coming soon)
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
