Moving to Benamaurel

Matthew’s article this week concentrates on moving to Benamaurel.

Moving to Benamaurel: Granada’s Cave House Central

Ups

When you’re considered one of Granada’s most attractive municipalities, given the competition, you know you’re in the presence of true beauty. Benamaurel has that accolade, comprising the village of the same name along with Puente Arriba, San Marcos, Cuevas de la Blanca, Huerta Real and Cuevas de Luna. Names that sound like pure poetry, especially the Caves of the Moon. The famous lakes at Baza are also well within “day out” distance. Take your swimming togs during the summer, and enjoy a dip in the blue waters before grabbing a hearty lunch at a lakeside restaurant.

Downs

There are around 2,000 inhabitants. However Benamaurel, whilst a good way inland from the Costas, attracts a sizeable British contingent. So your escape from the UK might not be as complete as you thought it would be.

Ins and outs

The closest major airport to Benamaurel is Málaga’s. And that will take around two and a quarter hours along the A-92. It is 242km away, after all. However, Almería airport is closer (approximately 100km) and the village’s proximity to the A-92 also makes Alicante and Murcia do-able – giving you a choice of airports to grab the best price from.

Education

Despite the growing number of Brits in the area, local schools are of the Spanish state-school variety. In southern Spain, the international schools are located closer to the coast than the mountains.

Shop until you drop…

Very much a working village, shops are of the functional variety. So there are butchers, bakers, and chemists. And for your weekly shop, there are supermarkets too.

Property in Benamaurel

Live like a troglodyte or above ground: the choice is yours in Benamaurel.

At time of press, Spain Buddy does not have any property for sale in Benamaurel. However, if you don’t mind casting your net a little wider – you can view property for sale in Granada

Market watch

Cave houses start for as little as 30,000€ in Benamaurel and don’t go much higher than for 250,000€.

In Praise Of

“The sleepy cave village of Benamaurel holds the Moros y Cristianos fiesta in the last full weekend of April. It’s the best fiesta ever with colourful costumes, magical music, and all-night partying. The locals encourage you to be part of the community.” – Kari Atkins

• Are you an expat living in Benamaurel? What do you like/dislike about it? Let us know below.

Matthew Hirtes

Matthew Hirtes, our resident broadsheet journalist, moved to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria back in 2004. He’s travelled extensively through Spain, covering it for such publications as Telegraph Travel, Metro, and The Independent. The author of Going Local in Gran Canaria: How To Turn a Holiday Destination into a Home, Matthew truly is a resident expert.

Matthew writes for two sections of Spain Buddy: Moving to Spain and Spanish Football as well as providing Reviews