I have visited Antequera many times and have always been surprised about another new adventure each visit that i have made to that region. Landing In malaga Airport and then driving up to that spanish village is not a long journey and is visiting the real spain !
Top three things to visit in Antequera
Antequera is a beautiful town under an hour’s drive from Malaga. Known as the “Crossroads of Andalucia” for its strategic location between the cities of Granada, Cordoba, Seville and Malaga, it has an incredible history and is surrounded by beautiful countryside and farmlands. This is a wonderful antidote to the hustle and bustle of Malaga and the Costa del Sol and is a great day trip destination.
Here are some recommendations on what to visit from the knowledgeable guides at Tour de Malaga –
- El Torcal Nature Reserve
El Torcal is just 15 kilometres south of the town of Antequera and is one of the most impressive karst landscapes in Europe. You will see amazing rock formations with layers of limestone, which have been shaped by the elements into incredible shapes, towers and blocks. There are a number of walking routes through the park where you can explore this stunning landscape. Look out for the beautiful wildflowers, and keep your binoculars at the ready to spot Griffon Vultures and Spanish Ibex, which are found in El Torcal.
- Antequera Dolmens
Antequera’s history stretches back to the Bronze Age and the Dolmens are earth covered burial mounds dating back to 2500 BC. There are three of these burial mounds, the largest being nearly 30 meters long. These are some of the finest Neolithic monuments in Europe and deemed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There is a visitor’s centre explaining the history and displaying a film about it and there you can pick up a map of the site to help you explore. Visiting the Dolmens is a wonderful way to go back in time and understand an ancient civilisation.
- Alcazaba
In the town of Antequera itself is the impressive Alcazaba, a 14th Century Moorish fortress which dominates the skyline. This enormous structure is perched on the hilltop, offering incredible views over Antequera and the beautiful countryside. Stepping through the Arco de los Gigantes (the Arch of the Giants) and into the fortress itself is a great way to understand the history of Antequera, as it includes remains of a Gothic Church, Roman houses and of course the 14th Moorish architecture and gardens.
There are many more wonderful things to see and do on a visit to Antequera and it is a great addition to any holiday on the Costa del Sol. Tour de Malaga are offering two full day tours to explore this stunning area, led by experienced guides. Guests can be picked up from Fuengirola, Benalmadena, Torremolinos or Malaga and there will be two tours per week. Find out more www.tourdemalaga.com
