Most travellers head straight for the headline attractions of Andalusia—yet the story of Islamic Spain lives far beyond the famous palaces and cathedrals. In this itinerary inspired by Juber Ahmed’s journey (filmed outside Granada in the Andalusian region), you’ll follow winding mountain roads and quiet rural lanes to find places where history still feels tangible.
From the olive groves of the Sierra Nevada to remote religious sites linked to the Andalusian era, these are the kinds of stops that can surprise even seasoned visitors. A car is strongly recommended, as several locations are spread across the mountains and countryside.
Why this Andalusia road trip feels different
Juber frames the trip as “lost Islamic heritage” around the region, intentionally focusing on sites that are often skipped in standard tours. The aim isn’t just sightseeing—it’s connecting places to features you can still recognise today: mihrabs and qibla direction, minarets, courtyards, and surviving rural architecture.
1) Olive oil heritage at Almazara (Arabic-named olive mill)
Your journey begins with a stop around the Sierra Nevada area focused on olive cultivation and production. Juber visits an olive mill known as Almazara—he explains that “almazara” means mill in Arabic—and he shares how the process turns olives into paste and ultimately into olive oil.
Inside, you can take a guided tour with a local host named “Grey”, who explains the olive-growing process and the machinery involved. Juber describes pressing and filtration steps, including the point that the process removes impurities so the oil can be produced in an “extra virgin” style from local trees and community groves.
What to expect:
- A hands-on feel for how olives become olive oil
- Insight into local farm and community methods
- Scenic countryside views when you’re driving between stops
2) Lanjarón viewpoint: drive the windy Sierra Nevada roads
After the olive mill, Juber drives along the roads around the Sierra Nevada mountains and heads up towards Lanjarón, praising the panoramic views and the opportunity to travel these routes that pass through whitewashed villages.
He points out that the appeal here isn’t only the destination—it’s the drive itself: hard-to-replicate vistas that you’d miss from inside a city. Along the way, he also notes a nearby site he believes may connect to earlier Muslim presence in Spain (12th–13th century), though he clearly frames it as his understanding rather than a confirmed claim.
Tip from the video: choose the road for the landscape. These winding climbs make this area ideal for slow travel by car (or even a scooter, if you’re confident on mountain routes).
3) Castillo Lanjarón: Moorish fortress ruins and hiking views
Next comes Castillo Lanjarón—described as a fortress/fortification linked to the Moors and positioned as one of the last places affected during the later expulsion of Muslims from Spain. Juber explains that Muslims had been present in Spain from around the 700s, and he notes that many historians discuss dates extending to the 1500s or even into the 1600s; in his telling, this area became a “last stronghold” where people relocated after events around Granada.
At the ruins, you’ll find a landscape shaped by that history: hiking access, shaded parking, and stairways leading up towards viewpoints where you can see Lanjarón and the surrounding hills. Juber highlights it as a “hidden gem” that blends heritage with outdoor scenery.
- Best for: history lovers who also enjoy walking and viewpoints
- Bring: comfortable shoes for steps and hillside paths
- Budget: enjoy it as a low-cost, self-paced stop
4) Alquería de Rosales: a mountain Islamic school with a remarkable minaret
Juber’s favourite site on the list is Alquería de Rosales, an Islamic school and summer programme located in the Andalusian mountains. He describes it as approximately 2 hours from Granada, and he emphasises how the setting helps visitors feel as if they’ve stepped back in time.
Central to this experience is the minaret—something Juber specifically notes as being striking in a rural “middle of nowhere” landscape. He also mentions that the school hosts educational programmes, including Arabic classes (from beginner through advanced levels) and other study subjects such as Tajweed, Tafsir, and Hadith (as referenced in the video).
When visiting, Juber encourages you to explore the courtyards and the masjid area where classes are held. The minaret and the architecture make the site memorable even before you focus on details like the mihrab-like features and the surrounding design language.
5) Al Manastar: Spain’s last surviving rural mosque from the 9th/10th century
The final stop is one of the most remarkable discoveries in the video: a remote rural village where Juber identifies the very last surviving rural mosque in all of Spain from the 9th or 10th century (Andalusian period). He calls it “free to visit” and describes it as in a highly remote area, about half an hour from the Portugal border.
Inside, he points to the mihrab—the place where the imam would have stood—and explains that, by determining the qibla direction, you can imagine the first saf and the orientation of worship. He also notes that the masjid was not necessarily a huge structure, serving local village residents.
Why it matters: This is heritage you can study at close range—details like the mihrab and the remaining architectural form make the site more than a “photo stop”. It becomes an encounter with the spatial logic of worship.
Practical notes for planning
- Transport: Juber includes a clear disclaimer that you’ll need a car to reach these five places.
- Time: allow for driving between rural areas, plus time to walk around viewpoints and enter sites where possible.
- Style: this itinerary suits travellers who want fewer crowds and more context—heritage, landscape, and quiet discovery.
Book a curated heritage trip with Sakina Tours
If this kind of journey appeals to you—where history is uncovered through remote landscapes, surviving architecture, and local experiences—Sakina Tours can help you design a trip that goes beyond the obvious. Tell us your travel dates and interests (heritage, food experiences like olive mills, and scenic mountain routes), and we’ll shape an itinerary that matches your pace.
Inspired by Juber Ahmed / Muslims Go Travel—special thanks for sharing a road journey that reveals Andalusia’s lesser-known Islamic heritage.
