The hot springs of Santa Fe are a must, especially in the winter months, as long as you have transport to and from the springs. Fall asleep for too long and you'll look like a giant prune

The best hot springs are a a little further out, 'Alhama de Granada'. There is great Trout to fish a little further downstream.

You can swim in the waterfall pools of Monachil, during the spring and the summer. The aquapark is great for the hot summers, 20 minutes away.

The Alpujaras are the Spain of 15 years ago; Home of the last moorish lands with the postcard towns of Capileira, or Pampaneira where you can pick up a good leg of ham for 20 euros or a cheese that would set alarm bells ringing in airports. For something else a little stronger, the teepee alternative towns like Beneficio would set the pallette wet as the fresh produce for sale at the side of the road as it speeds by the bus window. Its better to hire a car to explore this area (for as little a 15 euros per day) it would more than make up for it, 2 euros for 6 advocados is cheaper than your average supermarket. There a lot of camping spots for free where you can pitch up your tent/car with the seats down.

The beaches are an hour away. Salobrena should be missed, so two hours to the nicer ones is a better choice. The best by far are the beaches of the natural park 'Cabo de Gata'. this was Spain 400 years ago. Empty white beaches, clear blue water, no buildings but a half an hour walk to the shops. To wake up on the sand with no one else in the world but you and the sunrise is something else. Try playa Monsul or playa Genoveses. The best time is spring and autumn when it's not too hot.

Sierra Nevada ski resort for guess what you guessed it ski, only 35 minutes away. Tickets can be 20 euros at the beginning and the end of the season, unless a good samaritan leaves their day pass to you instead of the machine.

In our opinion the Sierra Nevadas are so much more than ski, they are great for a trek or to pick up some herbs that grow fresh in the mountains. The hiking towns of Monachil with its waterfall pools and wire bridges, or Capileira in the Alpujarras on the south side of the mountain. Monachil has a great scrapyard to buy bicycles for 20 euros; the price of a day's rental! Try taking a tent and riding the downhill route through Guadix to the coast.