Area Info

Area Info


LA AXARQUÍA. With the Sierra de Tejeda to the north, and the mountainous edge of Granada to the east, this rugged landscape offers excellent walking and abundant wildlife. Historically it was bandalero (bandit) country for many years, which preyed on traders carrying goods from the coast to Granada.

ALCAUCIN nestles on the Sierra Tejeda overlooking the Periana Corridor and Zafarraya Gap with spectacular views to the coast which is only 25 km. away. It is surrounded by hills full of olive and orange trees and even tropical plants. The area is known under the name Alta Axarquía and has the typical steep narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses.

ALMUÑECAR is also called the town of subtropical fruit. Because of the tropical climate the coastal area is called Costa Tropical as well as costa Almería. Almuñecar lies in the Granada province. Also the landscape you can call tropical with the exotic vegetation which can grow there because of the natural protection of the Sierra Nevada, the Sierra Cázulas and the Sierra Almijara. There is a wide promenade along the stretched beach with lots of Chiringuitos, terraces and wonderful restaurants.

ARCHEZ Charming village with hidden corners and small streets. Her church, declared a national monument, has been awarded a beautiful tower and finished with ceramics and clad with braided bricks. Another undeniable heritage of the Arabs.

BENAMARGOSA This small town, (population 2,000) lies in a flat, fertile region some 300 feet above sea level. Situated beyond Vélez Málaga, it is reached by travelling a few miles inland from that town and where the road splits at the hamlet of Trapiche, by taking the left fork for a further five miles. Moorish in origin, the village is typical of the region with its maze of winding streets of whitewashed houses. The two hamlets of La Zubia and Triana are nearby.

CANILLAS DE ACEITUNO, SALARES, SEDELLA, CANILLAS DE ALBAÍDA, ARCHEZ AND CÓMPETA all stand at the foot of the Tejeda and Almijara Sierras; all of Moorish origin and where vines are the main crop. The layout of the streets and the architecture of the whitewashed houses give them a unique identity and together they make up the Ruta del Mudéjar (Mudejar Route).

COLMENAR lies between the Axarquia region, linked by Periana Corridor, and the Malaga Mountains The village was built after the Christian conquest and has narrow, gently sloping streets of whitewashed houses. At the beginning of the 19th century, it was the administrative headquarters of a district formed by the villages of Alfarnate, Alfarnatejo, Almachar, El Borge, Cutar, Periana, Riogordo and Casabermeja.

COMARES Its privileged location, 739 meters above sea level makes from Comares a natural balcony from where you have the most fantastic views over the region. Like most other villages in the region, the Moorish predominance determines the appearance, name and current position of Comares.

CÓMPETA nestles in the hills some thirty minutes’ drive inland from the coast at Torrox Costa and about an hour’s drive from Malaga airport. The tarmac road bends and winds its way through the foothills of the Sierra Almijaras along the wine route, with the south-facing hillsides full of ripening grapes destined to be made into the sweet, strong local wine. Cómpeta is about 2,000 feet above sea level and many of the village properties and those in the surrounding countryside enjoy wonderful views over the countryside to the Mediterranean in the distance. The village has proven to be very popular with foreign residents and enjoys a cosmopolitan mix of many nationalities living in its whitewashed streets and the countryside beyond. This very pretty village is also popular with visitors, having the Sierra Almijara National Park as its backdrop – a protected area for an abundance of wildlife, trees and sub-tropical plants.

FRIGILIANA Perched on the slopes of the Sierra Almijara, it offers one of the prettiest and spectacular views of the Costa del Sol. The pueblo as well being very picturesque has many interesting sights such as the sugar mill, formerly the Count of Frigiliana’s Palace, where the famous sugar cane honey is made.

LA VIÑUELA This village lies in the east corner from the province of Malaga, in the middle of the Axarquía, ten kilometer from Vélez-Málaga and fifty from  Málaga. The village La Viñuela carries the same name as the nearby reservoir, Málaga’s main water reservoir and surrounding areas. The reservoir is a popular spot for fishing, swimming and picnics.

MARO The very pretty and charming village of Maro is situated on the Southern coast of Spain, three kilometres to the east of Nerja, and 53 kilometres to the east of Malaga in the region of Andalucia called Axarquía. The Nerja Caves are located close to Maro. Maro`s whitewashed buildings are a good example of the common domestic architecture in towns and villages on this part of the Mediterranean coastline.

NERJA is one of the most important tourist resorts on the Costa del Sol, its scenic beauty ranges from the spectacular mountains to the coast with its splendid beaches fertile orchards making the area in between a veritable garden paradise. There are unforgettable locations such as Nerja Cave with Palaeolithic human remains, the Maro Cliffs an unforgettable beauty spot.

RIOGORDO lies in the hollow formed by the River de la Cueva between the mountain ranges of Sierra de Camarolos to the north and Los Montes to the south. Periana lies in the gently sloping foothills of the Sierra de Alhama, near Zafarraya Gap near to La Viñuela Reservoir.

SEDELLA AND SALARES N are located on the edge of the natural park overlooking the highest mountain (La Maroma, 2065m). Regularly you will see mules in the narrow streets of the villages that come with their boss from the country. At the church square of Sedella (1000 inhabitants) there are a few pubs where you can always make a chat and get a tapa. SALARES (200 inh.) Is one of the smaller villages in the area.

TORRE DEL MAR The most attractive point to Torre del Mar is its promenade Paseo Maritimo de Poniente and long wide sandy beach which seems to go on forever. Well at least as far as the neighbouring resort of Caleta de Velez 4 kms away. Torre del Mar is in a completely flat area which makes getting around very easy.

TORROX The Torrox area lays claim to have “the best climate in Europe” sheltered as it is by the Sierra Tejeda and Sierra Almijara mountains. Thus it boasts an average annual temperature of 18C. The opening of the new N340/E15 autovía has improved the journey time to cover the 44 kms from Malaga Airport to 35 minutes. Separated by 4kms of farmland, once the areas main employer, the Pueblo and Costa offer a pleasant combination of old traditional Spanish life and the facilities expected by the modern day tourist. Torrox Costa has a beautiful walking promenade with lovely restaurants.

 VÉLEZ – MÁLAGA The regional capital of La Axarquia, originally Moors, preserves the tower of its citadel and remains of the city wall. Vélez-Málaga has a treasure chest of palaces, monasteries and tapas bars. It is a bustling market town which lies in the fertile valley of the Río Vélez and is the supply centre for the regions farmers.

This post is also available in: German Spanish