The Area: The Axarquia – and Beyond
The Axarquia: With La Maroma in the Background (Photo credit: Cayetano)
What to Do in the Axarquia
Villa Riachuelo is situated in the Axarquia region of Andalucia (or Andalusia), Southern Spain, not far from the small village of Canillas de Aceituno.
It’s right on the edge of the Sierra Tejeda Natural Park, a nature-lover’s paradise where eagles, hoopoes and wild boar are all common (according to the time of year). There are also some fantastic walking opportunities, not least up and around the nearby mountain, La Maroma, the highest point of the province of Malaga.
Velez Malaga:
Velez Malaga (Photo credit: Saltcod)
The capital of the Axarquia, Velez Malaga, is a 20-minute drive away from the villa. It’s a lively sort of a place with plenty of little neighbourhood bars and restaurants, while there are some attractive churches and a hilltop Moorish castle to explore.
On its outskirts there is a large shopping mall with multi-screen cinema, bowling alley and restaurants. Velez Malaga leads onto the nearest coastal town, Torre Del Mar, which boasts a long, wide promenade linking it to a marina at Caleta de Velez. Golf, water sports, carting, quad excursions, horse riding are all available in the area. There is also an aqua park (open throughout the summer).
Malaga:
At only 40 minutes or so away, Malaga City, with its Cathedral, Alcazaba (Moorish fortress) and Picasso Museum, is a perfect day trip. There’s also some excellent shopping to be had on Calle Larios and countless great places to hole up in for a drink and a bite, making it (in our very humble opinion) one of the most underrated cities in Andalucia. Marbella, Estepona, Fuengirola and the rest of the Costa del Sol stretch away beyond Malaga.
Beyond the Axarquia: Inland Andalucia
Alhama de Granada (Photo credit: Steve McCann)
One nearby town of real note is the charming Alhama de Granada. Only half an hour’s drive away, Alhama is built on a gorge – like the better-known Ronda (see below) – and has a couple of fine churches, some Moorish baths nearby and a great morning’s sightseeing and wandering round its narrow streets. Our advice: finish it up with a spot of lunch at La Seguiriya – one of the better restaurants in the area, their terrace (out the back) also has fantastic views over the gorge.
Slightly Further Afield…
Andalucia is a large region, and anyone who wants to see more than a very small part of it in a two-week stay will have to be prepared to drive.
That said, there are various beautiful cities that can realistically visited in a day trip. Granada – with its famed Alhambra Palace, one of the most visited and well-known sights in the whole of Spain – is a two-hour drive away; the town of Ronda, perched precariously on its gorge, is also a couple of hours’ drive away, while the wonders of Seville can be reached in about two and a half hours.
Like the sound of a holiday in the Axarquia? Find out more about Villa Riachuelo.
