Lubrin is a small and typical Spanish town tugged away in the Sierra de Los Filabres hills, about one hour's drive from and due north of the large, Mediterranean coastal town of Almeria. Unlike the "white villages" in the western part of Andalucia the architecture incorporates many stone buildings as well as the whitewashed Moorish style buildings.
The town is hidden in a fold of the foothills and as the locals say, if you blink you will miss it. Perhaps that is why it still retains that old world Andalusian charm, and has managed to retain its small shops, among them two bakers, a tailor, hardware, grocery, farmacia, bank and post office.
The tracks (Ramblas) leading out of the village act as gateways to the Filabres hills, with miles of unspoilt walking and mountain biking, winding through the valleys and climbing to peaks in excess of 1000m.
Bike tour
Andalucia is a paradise for cyclists. Good roads in a magnificent area.
Throughout this region there are many almond and olive groves in terraces up the hillsides, interspersed with Prickly Pears, Aloe Vera and other cactus types.
At this time in January the almond blossom is bursting giving the trees a pinkish hue.
Lubrin has retained its typical Spanish character. The village is far enough away from the coast to avoid the drawbacks of tourism. Here there are no hordes of noisy vacationers and trinket stores. Here authentic Spanish village life unfolds. However, the village is only 20 kilometers from the sea so you can enjoy a day at the beach.
Tabernas desert. The area is the only officially designated desert in Europe and hence there is little rainfall. When it does rain the heavens open sometimes lasting for 24 hours or so. Previously bone dry Ramblas are briefly turned into raging torrents, which gouge out deep cuts into the track surface, making it unpassable until the "grader" comes along to restore the surface.
Nature is overwhelmingly beautiful here. Fierce thunderclouds break open and let through a ray of sunlight that sets the gorse ablaze.
Meet Enrique Parra, the market merchant from lubrin who is also an opera singer.
October is the month dedicated to the Virgen del Rosario. After Mass, the residents of Lubrin carry the statue through the streets. The mayor, the pastor and the chairwoman of the women's movement walk in the procession accompanied by the brass band.
The Pan Festival is celebrated in honour of Saint Sebastian.
This is the main festival day in the village, where the brotherly union is complete; there are fireworks, doughnuts, bread rings and the traditional procession of the image of the Saint. The most significant feature, however, is the abundance of bread that is shared out among all present, it is handed out after the image of the Saint leaves the church and also thrown from the balconies of the houses as the Saint passes. Money and flowers are also thrown to the Saint as he goes by.
Beach of Mojacar Playa,
This quiet sandy beach is a 40-minute car ride away through a beautiful natural area of Lubrin. You can park your car right in front of the beach restaurant Hola Ola. The beds and umbrella are affordable. Ideal for a perfect beach day.
