Sleeping in a cave in Granada: these are the best options in the most beautiful places

Prehistoric people lived in caves to protect themselves from wild animals, but it is more than likely that they also noticed something that their successors have since noticed: inside caves there is an almost constant temperature , and this guarantees that it is neither too cold in winter nor excessively hot in summer.

That temperature, according to experts, is between 18 and 20 degrees. If outside, in the middle of the heatwave, the province of Granada frequently reaches the threshold of 40, and sometimes even exceeds that threshold, sleeping in a cave seems like an excellent idea, a substitute for a fan and air conditioning.

In the province of Granada, there are cave houses in various locations: mainly in Alhama de Granada, in the capital, and in the Altiplano, with the epicenter in Guadix . Those in Alhama are few, and those in Granada, located in the Barranco del Abogado, Sacromonte, and on the slopes of the Alhambra hill, are almost all occupied. It is not entirely legal to enter them or they are not equipped at all, so it is better to focus on those in the Altiplano.

This is a region that also includes the Geopark, a vast area of almost 5,000 square kilometers that also encompasses other nearby areas, such as Baza and Huéscar . But Guadix is where there's a wider and more varied selection of cave houses. And there's even a neighborhood named after it: the caves.

According to city council data, there are around two thousand of them. "They are underground, enjoying all the comforts of a modern home and its natural benefits, which are the constant temperature and the silence provided by its natural insulation, clay," the council notes on its website.

The surroundings are also spectacular. Leaving the cave (pun intended) leads to a city with a rich past. Guadix boasts a cathedral whose construction began in the 16th century, under the auspices of master architect Diego de Siloé . It blends Renaissance and Baroque styles to create a truly remarkable ensemble, starting, of course, with the façade.

Surrounding the cathedral lies a very interesting city to visit, where centuries-old houses of enormous architectural value spring up on almost every corner, unfortunately not all of them in perfect condition. The arcaded town hall square is the nerve center, and both there and in the surrounding area, you're guaranteed to find good places to eat and have tapas . Furthermore, being at a fairly high altitude (950 meters), Guadix offers cool air until well into the morning and, except on particularly hot days, bearable nights.

But back to the cave. Some are occupied year-round, have owners or permanent tenants, but others can be rented for weekends or longer periods. There are plenty of places to compare prices; online search engines offer a variety of sizes and budgets.

A few examples, to give you an idea of what's going on: in that neighborhood, there's a cave house called El Algarrobo , with four bedrooms, sleeping seven people, and two bathrooms, for €188 a night. It's fully equipped, suitable for a large group, and is located right in the heart of the neighborhood.

The Soledad Cave, with four bedrooms and capacity for eight people, is also located in the neighborhood. It's available for €180 per night, plus a cleaning fee, and has—obviously outside—a terrace with a barbecue area. Wi-Fi is also available.

Much more affordable is the "beautiful cave house" listed on Airbnb in the village of Accitano, in what appears to be the highest part of the neighborhood. It also has Wi-Fi, is suitable for six guests, and, at the time of writing, was priced at €30 per day . The listing doesn't specify this, but it's likely the price per occupant.

Otherwise, near Guadix there are also houses scattered in villages where tranquility is guaranteed, especially in the summer months. Cueva Zambrano, also known as Cortijo del Capellán, is very close to the town of Purullena, has three bedrooms, is suitable for six people, and costs 96 euros per night. It also has a swimming pool, an added bonus.