Loja: Alcazaba, churches, water heritage and Sierra Martilla

Loja allows you to combine the Alcazaba and the historic center with fountains, museums and spaces on the Genil River. For a first visit, organize the walk around the times of the interiors you want to see. Sierra Martilla requires its own movement and preparation; It is not a stop in the urban area.

What to see in Loja and how to choose the tour

Alcazaba: fortification and Historical Museum

The provincial file of the Alcazaba of Loja identifies parts of the medieval fence, the octagonal tower, a cistern with three naves and remains of the main building. It explains its visual relationship with the network of surveillance towers on the Nasrid border. The municipal page recognizes the site as an Asset of Cultural Interest.

The Alcazaba Historical Museum is located in the Caserón de los Alcaides Cristianos. Before you go, check what spaces the visit includes, the fee and the latest admission.

Encarnación and San Gabriel: two different churches

The provincial file of the Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnación distinguishes a Gothic-Mudejar phase from the 16th century and another neoclassical phase from the 18th century. The Latin cross floor plan, the collection of paintings and the bell tower stand out.

The municipal record of San Gabriel presents it as a 16th century Renaissance work by Juan de Maeda, with traces by Diego de Siloé. The side façade and the interior vault stand out. To enter any of the temples, check the opening date and respect the acts of worship.

House of Councils and Palace of Narváez

The Antigua Casa de Cabildos, in Plaza de la Constitución, 6, houses the Interpretation Center of the History of Loja. The municipal portal describes it as a Renaissance building from the 16th century and the former headquarters of the Town Hall until 1927. It is a useful point to begin the walk through the historic center and ask for information.

The Palacio del General Narváez is a 19th-century French-style residence and the headquarters of the City Council since 1927. The file highlights the patio, the staircase and the Plenary Hall. Check the spaces you can visit during municipal activity.

Published schedules for October 2026

The municipal schedule for October 2026 allows you to organize the interiors during that month:

To visit the Alcazaba on a Monday, consult with Tourism. Also check holidays, rates, last entry and access for your group. In churches, respect worship; For other months consult the corresponding municipal programming.

Fountain of the 25 Pipes and Alfaguara laundry

The municipal record of the Fuente de los 25 Caños explains that its pipes were configured in the 16th century and that it was restored in the 20th. The lavadero de la Alfaguara, from the beginning of the 20th century, recalls domestic tasks and meeting spaces linked to water.

You can incorporate the fountain and the laundry room into an urban walk. Bring water for the tour and check the signage of each fountain before drinking.

Los Infiernos: prepare a visit to the surroundings of Genil

The municipal portal describes Los Infiernos as a Natural Monument of geological interest in a section of the Genil River, with waterfalls and travertine formations. Prepare your visit according to the access and flow of your date, and check the rules of the space if you are looking for an activity on the water.

The Urban Circular Path starts from Rafael Pérez del Álamo street and passes through Los Infiernos and El Frontil. The municipal description includes a section of the GR-4407 and road and railway crossings. Check the map and the conditions of those steps before choosing it; Consult the route that fits the mobility and experience of your group.

The municipal technical sheet of the urban trail publishes 6.83 km, about two hours and medium difficulty. He recommends doing it counterclockwise and warns that the streets can be slippery in the rain. Bring water and appropriate footwear and leave room depending on the state of your steps and the pace of the group.

Sierra Martilla: archeology outside the urban area

The provincial file of Sierra Martilla describes a town-necropolis with megalithic burials, chambers semi-excavated in the rock, early medieval tombs and a watchtower. It is an archaeological resource different from the Alcazaba.

The municipal guide of Sierra Martilla explains the access from Loja through Ventorros de San José towards Las Rozuelas, to a location panel; From there you continue on foot along marked trails. Confirm the road and the status of the final section with Tourism before traveling.

Reserve time for the transfer to Sierra Martilla and return. Check the road surface, signage, weather and restrictions; Ask about slopes and steps if you need to adapt the route. Respect archaeological structures and use authorized paths.

Guided tours and proposal for one day

The Tourism Area offers tours for groups. Publish your request via form at least one week in advance and confirm it with your signed and sealed return, with a meeting point. Transportation is not included; Specify necessary accommodations when requesting the visit.

The guided tour brochure for 2026 publishes, for the Historic Center A and B tours, about two hours and 80 euros per guide for groups of up to 25 people; 100 euros per guide for the rest. Choose the itinerary and check the budget and conditions of your group when requesting it.

Check price, group size, itinerary and availability. The visit is confirmed when Tourism returns the signed and sealed form. The conditions allow replacing monuments that are closed.

On your own, a proposal is to start with the Casa de Cabildos, Encarnación and the Alcazaba neighborhood, adjusting the interiors to your schedules. Leave a break for lunch and then choose another urban walk or Los Infiernos if you have prepared its access. For Sierra Martilla, organize another distribution of the day.

Transport, services and contacts

Calculates the current path to the chosen resource. If you travel by train or bus, confirm station or stop, time and return connection with the operator. To eat or stay, verify location, opening, final price and conditions directly with the establishment.

The Tourist Office is in the Espacio Joven Building, Calle Comedias, 2. In the historic center you can go to the reception point of the Antigua Casa de Cabildos, at Plaza de la Constitución, 6. For both, the City Council publishes 958 321 520, 653 873 921 and info@lojaturismo.com. Check where you will be served and the schedule of your day.