Alfarnate: Culture and Mountain Landscape

The Fiesta de Moros y Cristianos has been celebrated in Alfarnate since the 17th century; it is also recognised as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico Provincial de Málaga. In the town centre stands the church built in the 16th century and renovated in the 18th century, with its Mudéjar tower.

Culture

The Casa Consistorial on Plaza de la Constitución dates from the late 16th century and is considered the oldest town hall still in operation in the province of Málaga. The two-storey Mudéjar-style building has been renovated several times. The Ermita de la Virgen de Monsalud was built at the beginning of the 17th century and has a portico with three arches as well as a bell gable.

La Venta de Alfarnate, also known as La Venta del Toro, dates from the 13th century; its present structure was built in the 17th century. The building is located at the foot of Pico del Chamizo and houses the Museo del Bandolerismo Andaluz. La Venta de Alfarnate is considered the oldest surviving venta in Andalusia.

The Museo de la Fiesta de «La Embajada» is located on the third floor of the Edificio de Usos Múltiples in Alfarnate and has three exhibition rooms. The La Embajada Museum displays documents, objects and photographs relating to the Fiesta de Moros y Cristianos in Alfarnate.

Archaeological sites from the Mousterian period are located on the terraces of the Palancar and Morales streams. Remains of a Neolithic workshop were found at Puerto de los Alazores, while fragments of Arab pottery and wall remains have been preserved at Cerro del Castillejo.

Landscape

Alfarnate is considered a mountain town in a natural landscape on the north-western edge of the Alta Axarquía, surrounded by the Sierras de Enmedio, Palomera and Jobo. The Tajo del Fraile is located on the northern side of the Sierra de los Tajos.

The Mirador Gran Senda de Málaga is a rest area with benches, a swing and other facilities for children. From there, there are views of the Sierra del Jobo, the Tajo de la Palomera and the Tres Mogotes. Due to the low light pollution, Alfarnate is recommended for observing stars and planets.

Trails and Activities

Stage 11 of the Gran Senda de Málaga (GR 249) begins in Parque de la Fuente Vieja in Villanueva del Rosario and ends at Plaza del Puente in Alfarnate. It covers 15.4 kilometres and has an estimated duration of 5 hours and 15 minutes. The stage is associated with the ZEC Sierra de Camarolos, a Special Area of Conservation.

The PR-A 266 Las Pilas is a circular hiking route in Alfarnate measuring 12.7 kilometres, with an estimated duration of 3 hours and 50 minutes. Active tourism activities available in Alfarnate include canoeing, hiking, cycling and horse riding.

The Área recreativa del Ejido is a free camping area next to Alfarnate’s municipal sports centre, with around ten pitches for motorhomes and electricity connections.

Cuisine

Resoli is a liqueur known in Alfarnate as “Licor de la Abuela”, made from ground coffee, anise, spices and brandy. Sopa de Chachorreñas is a dish from Alfarnate made with garlic bread, dried peppers, chilli, olive oil, orange peel and water.

Roscos carreros are a pastry from Alfarnate made with flour, olive oil, sugar and anise, refined with cinnamon and lemon zest. The Ruta del Aceite y los Montes introduces visitors to the tradition of olive oil production and the cuisine of the participating municipalities.

Sakura Alfarnate is a cherry blossom festival held in Alfarnate in April.

More destinations

Discover more destinations here: Benalmadena, Marbella, Humilladero, Vélez-Málaga, Istán, Manilva, Mollina, Totalán.

In Alfarnate, there is a private collection of antique toys dating from approximately 1870 to 1970; the pieces come from France, Germany, the United Kingdom and, predominantly, Spain.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Málaga.