Sierra Nevada (Spain)

The Sierra Nevada is a mountain range in Andalucia in the south east of Spain. They are the tallest mountains in mainland Spain, rising to over 10,000 ft (over 3000 metres). The highest peak is Mulhacén at 3,479 m.

It is a popular tourist destination, as its high peaks make skiing possible in one of Europe's most southerly ski resorts, in an area along the Mediterranean Sea predominantly known for its warm temperatures and abundant sunshine. At its foothills is found the city of Granada and, a little further, Almería and Málaga.

Regions
The Sierra Nevada lie in the provinces of Granada and Almería.

Cities
The city of Granada lies in the foothills on the northern side of the Sierra Nevada

Understand


The Sierra Nevada was formed 66 to 1.8 million years ago from the collision of the African and Eurasian continental plates.

Climate
Sierra Nevada has a Mediterranean climate, with different variations depending on the altitude. Summer and winter daytime temperatures are some 12° C cooler than found in Granada, differences that are even greater in spring as Sierra Nevada takes longer to approach the short summers. In May daytime highs in Sierra Nevada are around 4 °C (39 °F) with Granada having an average of 24 °C (75 °F). The yearly temperature of 3.9 °C (39.0 °F) at the ski station of Pradollano is in stark contrast to Granada's 15.7 °C (60.3 °F) and coastal Málaga's 18.5 °C (65.3 °F).

Get in

 * Fly in to Malaga and drive eastwards from there.
 * Drive westwards from the city of Almeria
 * Ski resort 2 hours from Malaga Airport, 45 minutes from Granada airport
 * Alpujarras Valley 2½ hours from Malaga, 1 hr 15 min from Granada

See

 * - Draped across southern Spain,the park is in Sierra Nevada mountain range, and is a paradise for snow enthusiasts and sun seekers alike. In winter, hit the slopes at Spain's southernmost ski resort. In summer, explore meadows adorned with wildflowers and conquer Mulhacén, the Iberian Peninsula's tallest peak. The  Park covers part of the Sierra Nevada range.

Go next

 * Motril