Montefrío may be a tiny town in Granada, but its skyline is iconic… National Geographic even named it one of the most beautiful views in the world. And the photos really live up to the hype.
But if you’re road tripping through Andalucía and want a stop that delivers big rewards with almost no effort, Montefrío has far more to offer than the classic Nat Geo lookout.
After a couple of days wandering around (and scouting the best Montefrío view points), here’s exactly what we found: the most impressive viewpoints, where we parked our van without stress, and a few small-but-worth-it spots you don’t want to miss.
Why Is Montefrío So Famous?
We hadn’t actually heard of Montefrío until it popped up during one of our Google Maps planning sessions. But it turns out there’s quite a bit of hype surrounding this tiny town, and for good reason.
In 2015 Nat Geo named Montefrío for having one of the most beautiful views in the world.
It’s since gone on to also claim the title of Top 10 most beautiful villages in Spain and one of the best places to visit in the world…
They’re quite the accolades for such a small rural town in Andalucía!
With all these acknowledgements, and hearing how they caused a tourist boom to the area, we were really surprised to feel like we were the only tourists around.
We didn’t see a single other motorhome or camper until we were leaving, and only one tour bus… but not the actual tour group. It was bliss.
Where Are The Best Montefrío Viewpoints?
When we first rocked up to Montefrío we of course headed straight for the Nat Geo viewpoint… but if you’re a photographer, it’s not necessarily the best viewpoint:
Mirador del Paseo – The National Geographic Spot
It might not be the most unique spot for photographers, but no trip to Montefrío would be complete without a photo from here.
This is where you’ll find the iconic Nat Geo frame so you can line your shot up to look like the front cover of the magazine.
The view really is beautiful from here, and with plenty of benches it’s an ideal place to sit and absorb the view of not only the fortress but the surrounding olive groves too. Perfect if there is a crowd when you visit.
There is parking just across from it, with a few spots for larger campervans or just around the corner near the Montefrío sign there’s enough space for one campervan or a few cars.
Alternatively, it’s about a 10 minute walk uphill from the car park in town. This parking is very limited for larger vehicles
Mirador Francisco Adamuz
Just around the corner from Mirador del Paseo, Mirador Francisco Adamuz shares a very similar vantage point and has an alternative frame.
Due to being a bit harder to find because it’s not right on the side of the road, it’s potentially quieter than the Nat Geo lookout, but that’s hard for us to say with it being super quiet during our visit.
There’s no parking here for large vans, and you’d be really risking it even in a small car unless you’re confident on Spain’s very narrow streets so we recommend parking elsewhere and walking to it.
It’s 15 minutes from town, or 10 minutes from Mirador del Paseo and you’ll need to make the turn here up the street called Cam. Las Penas to reach the viewpoint.
Mirador de los Olivos
If you’re wanting a quiet but scenic place to free camp for the night, this is the spot.
With vast sweeping panoramics of the whole area, including the fortress, it’s our favourite viewpoint in Montefrío for the overall experience, and probably the best spot for watching the sunset!
There’s space for a couple of campervans so long as you park smart and don’t block any of the gates or driveways.
Dec preferred sunrise here for photos, but our sunset wasn’t amazing so that definitely swayed the vote.
Mirador Andalucía Directo
📍 Find it here
For a more unique perspective and photos with an urban feel, Mirador Andalucía Directo is a good option.
Not our favourite, but there’s easy parking nearby for a quick stop before you leave town otherwise it’s a 20 minute walk through the newer parts of town.
‘Secret’ Layby Viewpoint
Montefrío’s ‘best kept secret’ isn’t within the village boundaries 😜, it’s a layby on the way out of town towards Granada and is a photographer’s dream.
This little spot features the fortress in the middle of two rolling hills and layers upon layers of Olive groves. If you catch it on a day there’s an inversion, well, you’ve pretty much hit the Montefrío photo jackpot.
It’s also a good spot to fly the drone for some scenic landscape shots.
Parking here is limited, obviously, because it is only a layby so I’d say only enough space for one vehicle to park up. Do not camp here.
It’s only a 5 minute drive from the Nat Geo lookout, but if you miss it there are limited options for turning around so keep your eyes peeled!
Exploring Montefrío Beyond the Views
Once you’ve soaked in the landscapes, take some time to explore the town itself, but go early.
We made the mistake of wandering around at lunchtime, and nearly everything closed at 2pm until the next morning.
Here’s what else is worth checking out in Montefrío:
Montefrio Olive Oil Museum: Museo del OLIVO
A lovely little stop if you’re curious about Andalucia’s liquid gold.
The museum gives a bite-sized look at traditional olive-oil production, with old tools, presses and stories from the region.
It’s small but surprisingly informative, and it’s a great way to connect the endless olive groves around you with the culture that shaped them.
If you have never done an Olive farm tour before, we highly recommend booking one while you’re in this part of Spain – especially if visiting between October and November when the harvest and production is in full swing.
The Old Cemetery: Cementerio viejo de Montefrío
The cemetery was built into the old defensive walls, using the elevated position for the symbolic protection of being within the former fortifications.
It’s where Montefrío’s noble families were buried, which gives the site an extra layer of local history. The views from up here are beautiful, even if the cemetery itself is showing its age.
Church of the Incarnation
Montefrío’s most striking building once you’re actually in town.
Built by the same architect who designed Granada’s cathedral, the Church of the Incarnation stands out with its round structure – a rarity in Spain.
If you manage to visit in the morning before closing, the inside is beautifully serene too.
Montefrío Town Hall
The Town Hall sits on a cute little square and gives you a feel for daily village life.
There’s not loads to “do” here, but if you enjoy photographing local architecture or grabbing a drink nearby, it’s worth strolling past.
The Old Narrow Streets Leading To The Fortress
The walk up to the fortress winds through the classic maze of whitewashed homes and steep lanes you’ll find in a lot of Andalucian villages.
It’s pleasant enough and you’ll get some nice glimpses of local life (and plenty of sunbathing cats), but if you’ve explored similar hilltop towns before, it might not feel particularly unique.
The main reward here is the view once you reach the top, rather than the streets themselves – for us at least.
The Moorish Fortress Ruins
Perched high above Montefrío, the Moorish fortress dates back to 1352, built under the orders of Yusuf I.
Its architect was the same master who designed the Alcazaba at the Alhambra, so you know the attention to detail was impressive even if only fragments survive today.
Until 1486, the castle played a key role defending the Nasrid kingdom of Granada’s frontier, what locals called the última frontera de Ál-Andalus.
Imagine the strategic importance of this spot, scanning the horizon for approaching forces while enjoying views that still take your breath away.
Remember: the site closes at 2pm, so plan to arrive early to soak in the history and the panorama without feeling rushed.
The Royal Granary
Often overlooked, the Royal Granary is a nice quick stop if you enjoy historic buildings with a purpose.
This 18th-century structure once stored grains for the entire region and showcases a completely different side of Montefrío’s past compared to the Moorish remains above it.
The Church of the Villa
Sitting beside the fortress ruins, the Church of the Villa rises proudly atop Montefrío’s hill. Built on the site of the surrendered Arab fortress in 1486, the church was later redesigned by Diego de Siloé, the renowned 16th-century architect behind the cathedrals of Granada, Málaga, and Guadix.
From the top of its bell tower, the views are unforgettable – you just have to survive 111 steps to get there!
The church commands a full panorama of Montefrío and the surrounding olive fields. It’s a photographer’s dream and one of the town’s most iconic sights
The Church of San Antonio
Tucked away in a quiet part of Montefrío, the Church of San Antonio dates back to the 18th century and was originally part of a Franciscan convent. Its Baroque-style facade has charming details, while the interior is simple.
We only saw it from a distance, but from the plaza outside you can still appreciate its hilltop setting and enjoy a peaceful view over part of the town – a lovely little landmark to spot while exploring Montefrío.
The Arrabal District
The Arrabal is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Montefrío, and while it has that classic jumble of narrow streets and whitewashed homes, it’s not quite as charming as some of the other Andalucian villages we’ve wandered through.
A few corners are lovely, but much of it feels a little worn and in need of some TLC. Still, it’s an interesting area to pass through if you’re already exploring the hilltop, and it does give you a feel for everyday life away from the viewpoints, just manage expectations and don’t come up here expecting a storybook old town.
Visiting Montefrío In A Campervan?
If you’re road tripping around Spain and Portugal, chances are you’ve come across one or two bum twitch moments on narrow roads that don’t quite feel like you should be there with a campervan or motorhome.
Montefrío is surprisingly easy to navigate in a large van, so you won’t have the usual narrow-road stress of some Spanish villages.
The only thing to be aware of is parking would be very limited if the area does get a mad rush of tourists during summer because while there are several places, they don’t accommodate many large vehicles. We’ve mapped all the best parking and camping on the map at the top of this post :)
Where To Stay In Montefrío
Camping
There aren’t any paid campsites in town, and there aren’t any dump stations or showers for campers either so you’ll need to take care of that before you get here, but thankfully there are a few good places to camp for free if you want to extend your visit (we did two nights)
The first night we stayed at Mirador De Los Olivos, the second night we stayed closer to town here. You could also easily camp at the carpark close to the Nat Geo lookout providing you leave space for others.
With all free camping in Spain, you always need to be mindful of what’s around you. Most places do not allow typical camping behaviour, especially if you’re stealth camping in urban areas. This means not putting your wheel ramps out or levellers down, not getting your awning out etc.
Accommodation
If you’re visiting Montefrío in a car, or want a night out of the camper, there are a couple of options available.
Casa del Arrabal is a quaint little B+B in the old part of town closer to the fortress. There are several rooms available, a pool and it’s pet friendly! It does say there’s parking available, but the streets are extremely narrow so if you’re in a rental car you might not want to risk it and instead park in town. It has seasonal opening hours, but while researching I couldn’t find exactly what they were so you will need to contact the owner before making a booking.
If you’re travelling as a large group, Iratxe Montefrío by Ruralidays is an absolutely stunning 9 bedroom holiday home nestled in the valley with a private pool. It’s not dog friendly, but if you’re looking for a secret escape with friends and family it’s a great choice.
For incredible views over the fortress, choose Casa El Mirador Montefrio by Ruralidays a slightly smaller holiday home that sleeps 8 but with A* views. Reviews for this property do mention excessive barking dogs in the surrounding area, but that’s a reality of a lot of rural Spanish villages.
Check the map for current availability in and around Montefrío. Results might take a moment to load.
So… Is It One Of The Most Beautiful Villages In Spain?
We don’t usually write negatively about places, but Montefrío deserves an honest note and I have to say that while yes I strongly agree that Montefrío has some incredible viewpoints of the village… The village itself isn’t all that much 🫣
Don’t get me wrong, some streets and buildings are charming, but much of the old town could use a little TLC.
There’s also a surprising amount of litter, particularly around the old cemetery, which is a shame considering how peaceful and quiet the town was during our visit.
That said, Montefrío still has character. Wandering the old streets, exploring the Arrabal district, or catching the light from one of the hilltop viewpoints gives you a genuine sense of everyday life in a small Andalusian town.
It may not be the “most beautiful village in Spain” in our eyes, but the viewpoints alone make it a worthwhile stop if you’re road-tripping through Granada province.
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