Vélez-Blanco: Rock Art, Castle and Trails

The hiking trail to the Cueva de Los Letreros, designated as a National Historic Monument and a World Heritage Site, begins in Vélez-Blanco. If you visit the cave, access is only possible with a guide specialising in rock art.

Culture

Vélez-Blanco Castle was built between 1506 and 1515 on the orders of the first Marqués de los Vélez, D. Pedro Fajardo y Chacón, over the ruins of an earlier Muslim alcazaba. In 1931, it was declared a National Historic Monument.

At the castle, there is a recently restored circular path running around the site from east to west. From this path, visitors can admire the castle’s strategic location and the surrounding landscape.

The Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol was built in the second decade of the 16th century and has a wooden ceiling in the Mudéjar tradition in its central nave. The Iglesia de Santiago became the centre of Vélez-Blanco’s social and commercial life.

The Convento de San Luis was built in 1599 at the behest of Luis Fajardo Requesens, the fourth Marqués de los Vélez. Its cloister houses an exhibition with information panels about the municipality’s rock art resources.

The Almacén del Trigo Visitor Centre is located in the centre of Vélez-Blanco. Its exhibition presents the cultural traces left by different population groups in the border area of the Sierra María-Los Vélez.

Hiking and Cycling

The La Umbría del Maimón hiking trail connects Vélez-Blanco and María. La Umbría del Maimón is also a marked hiking trail in Vélez-Blanco within the Sierra María-Los Vélez Special Conservation Area.

The route to the Torre Vigía Montalviche is listed as 9.93 km long, with a duration of 3 hours and 30 minutes. The hiking trail leads to the remains of the former Montalviche watchtower.

A route along a forest road for bicycles begins in Vélez-Blanco and ends in María.

Visiting

The Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol can be visited free of charge and without a guide during opening hours.

The Festival de Música Renacentista y Barroca de Vélez Blanco takes place every year in late July or early August. FESTIMUVB 2026 is the 25th edition of this festival.

The Festival de Música Renacentista y Barroca de Vélez Blanco brings together music, cultural heritage, research, and musical and historical education. The 2026 festival programme includes concerts in the cloister of the Convento de San Luis.

Las Máscaras takes place before Carnival, from 17 January to 3 February, with floats, dancing and a gathering of the comparsas. The festival has a traditional origin and is regarded as a secular festive tradition particularly characteristic of Vélez-Blanco.

More town pages: Líjar, El Ejido, Terque, Alcolea, Gérgal, Velefique, Huesa, Roquetas De Mar.

The historic centre of Vélez-Blanco has narrow, winding streets that are ideal for a stroll.

For the main travel overview: Almeria.