Map and Area Information

ABOUT THE AREA

The Axarquia region of Andalucia, south of Spain is spectacularly beautiful and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains of the Sierra Tejeda and province of Granada to the North and East.  Most of the area is natural and rugged and boasts an abundance of wild flora and fauna (including the rare Spanish mountain goat) making it perfect walking territory.  It is also ideal for bird watching, horse riding, rock climbing, fishing, golf and exploring with lots of sites to visit, numerous “rutas” which are designated, scenic routes through the countryside and of course, a huge selection of “ventas” where you can stop to relax, enjoy the scenery and sample the local cuisine. 

Historically, the Axarquia is an area of great interest with links to the Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, Christians and “bandoleros” who were bandits, notorious for preying on traders that carried produce from the coast through to Granada.  There were also remains found in a cave near the particularly impressive Zafaraya Pass.  It has since been confirmed that these remains are around 30,000 years old and the cave is one of the oldest known sites in Europe inhabited by Neanderthal man.

The main towns and villages in Axarquia are: Alcaucin, Alfarnate, Alfarnatejo, Algarrobo, Almachar, Archez, Arenas, Benamargosa, Benamocarra, Caleta de Velez, Canillas de Aceituno, Canillas Albaida, Colmenar, Comares, Competa, Cutar, El Borge, Frigiliana, Iznate, Macharaviaya, Moclinejo, Nerja, Periana, Rincon de la Victoria, Riogordo, Salares, Sayalonga, Sedella, Torre del Mar, Torrox, Totalan, Velez-Malaga and La Vinuela.  Many of these are of Moorish heritage and are typical Spanish white washed pueblos full of character and charm.  The towns and villages each have their own colourful fiestas, which are all thoroughly enjoyable.

A selection of the towns and villages that feature most of our properties are listed below.  Please click on the photograph of the town or village you are interested in for more localised information.

ALFARNATE:  Alfarnate is the village located at the most northern point of the Axarquia near the border of the Granada Province.  It is 45 kilometres from the coast of Torre del Mar and 49 kilometres from Malaga.  The village is positioned at an altitude of 925 metres and lies on a flat plain, sheltered by the Sierra El Jobo and Sierra Alhama mountains.  The population stands at about 1,600 and the area is very agricultural with many wheat fields.  The name Alfarnate came from the Arab for flour mill which is Al-Farnat.  Alfarnate has an attractive 16^th century church of “Santa Ana” which has a Mudejar tower.  Also worth a visit, is the thirteenth century venta de Alfarnate, which is just outside the village and is said to be the oldest inn in Andalucia.  Popular with many bandits, including the notorious Luis Candelas and El Tempranillo, the inn is now a museum and popular restaurant.  Alfanate is on the scenic route of “Olive Oil & Mountains”.

ALFARNATEJO:  Alfanatejo is only a couple of kilometres from Alfarnate and is the smaller of the two.  It is 42 kilometres from the coast of Torre del Mar and 50 kilometres from Malaga.  The mountains that surround the village are El Gallo and Mount Chamizo to the east and west.  The small village has a population of about 500 and an altitude of 858 metres.  There is an 18^th century church of “Santo Cristo” and numerous caves can be found in the surrounding areas.  Alfarnatejo is on the scenic route of “Olive Oil & Mountains”.

ALMACHAR:  Almachar lies 15 kilometres from the coast of Rincon de la Victoria and 26 kilometres from Malaga.  The population is around 2,100 and the altitude is 230 metres.  The village has a 16^th century church of “San Mateo” and is famous for its production of raisins.  The grapes are grown on the hills near the village then sun dried in the traditional method.  Every year, there is a fiesta to celebrate the harvest of the raisin.  The name Almachar comes from the Arabic for meadows.  The village has all usual amenities including banks, shops, school, health centre, chemist, and municipal swimming pool.  Almachar is on the scenic route of the “Raisin”.

BENAMARGOSA:  Benamargosa lies on a flat area, which is 14 kilometres from the coast of Torre del Mar and 26 kilometres from Malaga.  It is surrounded by pretty fruit groves of oranges, lemons, avocados and mangos.  The population is around 2,000 and the altitude is 100 metres.  Benamargosa was historically renowned for tobacco smuggling due to its location and has a 16^th century church of “La Encarnacion” .  The village has all amenities including small hospital and medical centre, shops, large supermarket, banks, school, post office, super municipal swimming pool set in gardens, and many bars and restaurants. Benamargosa is on the scenic route of the “Sun and Avocado”.

COLMENAR:  Colmenar is known as the capital of the Montes de Malaga and is the most westerly of the Axarquia.  It is situated 35 kilometres from the coast of Rincon de la Victoria and 35 kilometres from Malaga.  The town has a population of around 4,000 and an altitude of 700 metres.  The town is quite industrious for its size and involves food and drink products (including honey), livestock farming and agriculture.  The name Colmenar came from the Spanish word “colmena” which means beehive.  This town is has all amenities including a 24 hour emergency and medical centre, municipal swimming pool, shops, banks, schools, chemist and even an internet café.  The old road from Colmenar to Malaga through the Montes de Malaga twists past forests of pines and oaks and provides fantastic country, mountain and sea views.  Colmenar is on the scenic route of “Olive Oil and Mountains”.

COMARES:  Comares is a very historical village and is positioned on the top of a mountain offering the most breathtaking views.  It is located 25 kilometres from the coast of Torre del Mar and 35 kilometres from Malaga.  The village has a population of around 1,700 and an altitude of 740 metres.  In the main square is a beautiful balcony, which provides the most panoramic sea, country and mountain views.  Comares dates back to medieval times and has a ruined Moorish fort built on Roman foundations.  There is also a 16^th century church of “Nuestra Senora de la Encaracion”.  Comares is a popular place to explore with pretty cobbled streets with tiled footprints to guide you.  There are shops, bars, restaurants, school, municipal swimming pool and chemist.  Comares is on the scenic route of the “Raisin”.

CUTAR: Cutar is located in the hills behind Benamargosa 28 kilometres from the coast of Torre del Mar and 32 kilometres from Malaga.  The village has a population of about 800 and an altitude of 331 metres.  Cutar has a Moorish history with typical narrow streets and the name comes from the Arabic word Cautzar which means paradise fountain.  At the entrance of the village is a restored Arab well, called the “Fountain of Paradise”, which in Spanish is “Fuente del Paraiso”.  There are a couple of local shops and bars and all other amenities are available in Benamargosa, just 5 minutes away.  Cutar is on the scenic route of the “Raisin”.

MONTES DE MALAGA:  The Montes de Malaga (the Mountains of Malaga) area is between Malaga and Colmenar.  Much of the area is Natural Park and full of forests of cork oaks and pine trees.  Much of it is almost un-touched and wild with stunning views.  There are many small hamlets and villages to visit and a selection of traditional “ventas” restaurant & bars to try.

PERIANA:  Periana is pretty village situated 28 kilometres from the coast of Torre del Mar and 58 kilometres from Malaga.  The population is around 3,500 and the altitude is 547 metres.  Periana is renowned for its production of peaches (for which, there is a peach fair every summer), olive oil and anis.  Periana has super views, overlooking Lake Vinuela to the front and the mountain ranges of Mount Umbria, Sierra Carrion and Sierra Pinto behind.  There are also, sulphurous Moorish baths just two kilometres from Periana at Banos de Vilo.  The village has all amenities including health centre, banks, shops, schools and municipal swimming pool.  Periana is on the route of “Olive Oil and Mountains”.

RIOGORDO:  Riogordo is an attractive village situated in the valley of the La Cueva river, 46 kilometres from the coats of Torre del Mar and 45 kilometres from Malaga.  The population is about 3,000 and the altitude is 400 metres. Riogordo has Phoenician, Roman and Moorish origins with many features and the church of “Virgen de Gracia” dating back to the 16^th century.  There is also a small ethnographic museum.  Riogordo is famous for the “Semana Santa” Easter Passion play.  Most of the local people get involved each year to parade through the village then act out scenes from the Passion with heart felt emotion.  The village has the usual amenities including, shops, banks, health centre, chemist, schools, bars, restaurants and municipal swimming pool set in gardens.  Riogordo is on the scenic route of the “Olive Oil and Mountains”.

LA VIÑUELA:  Viñuela is situated 19 kilometres from the coast of Torre del Mar and 45 kilometres from Malaga.  The population is about 2,000 and the altitude is 131 metres.  The village was founded in the 18^th century around the old inn called La Venta La Viña.  The village was named after the grape vines which grow in the area and this local inn, which sold the wine produced from them.  There is a 16^th century church of “San Jose”, which has a fine sculpture of the “Pieta”.  La Viñuela has all usual amenities including health centre, shops, scools, banks etc.  A large dam has been constructed nearby to create the reservoir called Lake Viñuela, which can hold up to 170 million cubic metres.

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