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Many guests book the hike ” El Caminito del Rey” months in advance. But here in their stay with us at B&B Finca La Toronja, they give little thought to what there is to discover in the vicinity of the walk. Alora, Ardales, ruins of Bobastro, the reservoirs of the Guadalhorce are well worth a visit. All can be visited within a 26km radius.

Álora, where the typical Andalusian atmosphere prevails.

Álora is located between three large rocks on the river Gaudalhorce, and from the ruins of the Moorish castle you have great views over the valley of Guadalhorce.

This village exudes the typical Andalusian atmosphere. Each place is more beautiful than the next. Here, you only have to walk down the street to understand why this is a truly Andalusian village.

Sights and monuments:

Castle of Álora: The castle is an Arab fortress located on Cerro de las Torres with origins dating back to Phoenician times.

Parish church of Our Lady of the Incarnation: Located on the Plaza Baja, it is one of the most striking monuments of the village, along with the Arabic brought. It is the largest church in the province after Malaga Cathedral and second oldest church in the whole of Spain.

Monastery and Vault of Nuestra Señora de Flores: Located 2 km from the centre of the village, from this place you can enjoy beautiful scenery of the province, including the Sierra de Abdalajís and El Torcal.

Monument “Cante por la Malagueña”: a moment dedicated to flamenco music built with bronze, iron and stone. Tribute to a variant of the flamenco style called “La malagueña” that was born in the region of Álora.

Ardales, cave painting of Gran Cierva.

Driving into the town of Ardales, the surrounding landscape will first of all catch your attention: from the Guadalhorce reservoirs to the spectacular Caminito del Rey, the fantastic scenery is not to be missed. It the important archaeological sites is also worth mentioning.

Sights and monuments:

Castillo de la Peña: The castle of la Peña is the most characteristic monument in Ardales. It dates back to the 9th century and witnessed Omar Ben Hafsun’s revolt against the Caliph of Cordoba.

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios: Near the castle, you will discover this 15th-century Mudejar church, the most important religious monument in town.

Ardales Municipal Museum of History and Traditions: has a hall entirely dedicated to the Ardales cave and Palaeolithic art. The prehistoric cave of Doña Trinidad Grund (discovered in 1821) is another must-see of Ardales and its surroundings. The most famous cave painting is that of the Gran Cierva (the great deer), painted in black except for a red dot where her heart should be.

Ruins of Bobastro, linked to the rebellion of Hafsun.

The rocky area of Bobastro is 13 km from Ardales. 

Its history is strongly related to the rebellion of Omar Ben Hafsun, who was a descendant of a Visigot whose grandfather had converted to Islam. At Bobastro, he forged his plans to overthrow the caliph of Cordoba. Because of Omar Ben Hafsun’s conversion to Christianity, this town has the remains of a church from the 9th century. It is Mozarab’s only church preserved from the time of Al-Andalus.

The reservoirs of Guadalhorce

If you like hiking, we recommend following the 7 km hiking trail along the Guadalhorce reservoirs. In terms of landscape, it is the most attractive route of the area, as it has several reservoirs and lakes. Incidentally, this is starting point to the Gaitanes Gorge, where the renovated Caminito del Rey is located.