White villages · Subbética

Iznájar

Iznájar is a white village on a ridge above Andalucía's largest reservoir in southern Córdoba, crowned by Hisn Ashar, a Moorish castle begun in the 8th century and taken by Castile in 1431.

About Iznájar

Iznájar rises to 522 metres on a limestone ridge above the Genil, which here forms the Iznájar reservoir, the largest in Andalucía. Its Arabic name, Hisn Ashar, means 'joyful castle'. It joined Omar ibn Hafsun's revolt in the 9th century, stayed in the Nasrid kingdom after 1246 and fell to Juan II of Castile in 1431. The village has about 2,000 people.

The castle, begun in the 8th century and enlarged until the 15th, crowns the Barrio de la Villa (€2, English audio guide). Beside it stands the Renaissance church of Santiago, attributed to Hernán Ruiz the Younger. Below, the Arco de la Villa, the Torre del Reloj and stretches of wall survive, and the Patio de las Comedias is hung with blue pots. Small museums cover crafts and farm tools.

Iznájar is about 90 km north of Málaga and 80 km west of Granada, both around 1 hour 10 minutes by car. Park near the tourist office on Plaza de las Barandillas and walk up: the Villa is steep and cobbled, with steps near the castle, and not suited to wheelchairs. Allow two to three hours, more with a swim at Valdearenas. It suits families and walkers.

Visit from March to June or in September and October; July and August are hot. Holy Week, with the costumed Judea on Good Friday, is the best-known festival. Try salmorejo iznajeño, a winter salad of orange and salt cod, and Subbética olive oil, tasted at the Moltura house-museum. The castle opens on Friday and Saturday evenings too.

Iznájar in pictures

Blue flowerpots and plants in the Patio de las Comedias, Iznájar

Whitewashed wall hung with blue flowerpots above a pebbled street in Iznájar

What you’ll find

CastleCastle entry (€1–€2, 10:00–14:00)Ticket
FestivalAnnual festivalFree
Guided tourGuided tourBook
Historic centreOld town walkFree
Local foodLocal cuisineBuy
Moorish quarterMoorish heritage walkFree
Natural poolWild swimmingFree
Tourist officeVisitor informationFree
ViewpointSightseeingFree

Nearby places to visit

The Playa de Valdearenas (2 km), a 1.5 km inland beach on the reservoir, faces the village across the water. Rute's Anís Museum (9 km) shows copper stills and offers tastings of the local spirit, and the Alcazaba of Loja (17 km) guarded the Granada side of the old frontier. Carcabuey (21 km) and Priego de Córdoba (23 km), with its Barrio de la Villa and the Fuente del Rey, Priego de Córdoba (22 km), make a day's loop through the Subbética, and Zuheros (32 km) lies further north.

Iznájar at a glance

Category
Culture White villages

Location
Subbética, Córdoba

Town
Iznájar

Address
Calle Villa 14970

Opening hours
Open access; the streets can be visited at any time. Castle: Tue–Sun 10:00–14:00, plus Fri–Sat afternoons (16:00–19:00 October–March, 17:00–20:00 April–June, 19:00–22:00 July–September).

Prices
Free to walk around; castle €2 with audio guide (reduced €1, under-5s free)

Website
iznajar.es/oficina-de-turismo

Phone
+34 647 492 234

Email
turismo@iznajar.es

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