White houses of the village climbing towards the castle on its crag, Vélez-Blanco, Almería
White villages · Los Vélez

Vélez-Blanco

Vélez-Blanco is a white village 1,070 metres up in the far north of Almería, its stepped houses spread below the Renaissance castle of the Marquis of los Vélez, built in 1506–1515.

About Vélez-Blanco

Vélez-Blanco stands at about 1,070 metres on the slopes of the Sierra de María, above terraced huertas. The 13th-century Muslim town, ringed by two walls, surrendered without a fight in June 1488, and the first Marquis of los Vélez built his castle over the alcazaba. After the Morisco war it was resettled from 1574. A Conjunto Histórico since 2002, it has about 1,900 inhabitants.

The Morería climbs in stepped rows towards the castle, topped by the tower of the Magdalena church, built on the mosque site. Calle La Corredera has mansions and the 16th-century Iglesia de Santiago, with a Mudéjar wooden ceiling. Look for the Convento de San Luis, the Fuente de los Cinco Caños and the tiled Caños de Caravaca. The castle is free on Friday afternoons and at weekends.

It is 166 km (two hours) from Almería and 120 km (1½ hours) from Murcia; the A-91 motorway reaches Vélez-Rubio, 6 km away. Park on the main road near the Almacén del Trigo visitor centre and tourist office. Allow half a day with the castle and the Cueva de los Letreros. Steep lanes and steps rule out wheelchairs; it suits walkers and photographers.

Spring and early autumn are best; winters are cold. An early-music festival fills the castle and churches in late July, and the Cristo de la Yedra fiestas come in the second week of August. Try migas de harina, gurullos with partridge, embutidos and bilbaos pastries. Book the Cueva de los Letreros visit ahead.

Vélez-Blanco in pictures

White houses of the village climbing towards the castle on its crag, Vélez-Blanco, AlmeríaTiled roofs of the historic centre with the mountains of Los Vélez and the valley beyond, Vélez-Blanco, AlmeríaCastle and white village above terraced slopes and orchards, Vélez-Blanco, Almería

What you’ll find

  • CastleCastle visitFree
  • ChurchChurch visitFree
  • FestivalAnnual festivalFree
  • Guided tourGuided tourBook
  • Hiking trailHikingFree
  • Historic centreOld town walkFree
  • Local foodLocal cuisineBuy
  • Moorish quarterMoorish heritage walkFree
  • Tourist officeVisitor information (10:00–14:00)Free
  • ViewpointSightseeingFree

Nearby places to visit

The Castillo de Vélez-Blanco rises directly above the village; its carved marble courtyard has been in the Metropolitan Museum in New York since the early 20th century. About 1 km away, the Cueva de los Letreros rock shelter holds the painted Indalo figure that became Almería's emblem, seen on guided walks. In Vélez-Rubio, the Miguel Guirao County Museum (5 km) covers the archaeology and rural life of Los Vélez. Pine-covered trails of the Sierra María-Los Vélez Natural Park start behind the village. The Fajardo family also built the Castillo del Marqués de los Vélez (48 km) at Cuevas del Almanzora, nearer the coast.

Vélez-Blanco at a glance

Category
Culture White villages

Location
Los Vélez, Almería

Town
Vélez-Blanco

Address
Calle La Corredera, 04830 Vélez-Blanco, Almería, Spain

Opening hours
Open access; the streets can be visited at any time. Castle: Friday afternoons and weekends; October–March Fri 16:00–18:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–14:00 and 16:00–18:00; April–September Fri 17:00–20:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–14:00 and 17:00–20:00. Tourist office and visitor centre (Almacén del Trigo): closed Mondays, mornings 10:00–14:00.

Prices
Free to walk around; castle entry free; guided visits to the Cueva de los Letreros are paid and must be booked.

Website
velezblanco.es

Phone
+34 950 614 800

Email
registro@velezblanco.es

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