Istán: Water, Hiking Trails and Andalusian Culture

Water and Landscape

At the Museo y Centro de Interpretación del Agua, Istán explores its water culture. The museum explains the importance of water for life and human development. The museum includes a visitor reception centre with an exhibition area, touchscreens and audio guides. The audio guides contain stories translated into English. Istán’s information point provides visitor information in Spanish, English and French. It also offers guided tours of the Moorish springs and irrigation channels, the Museo y Centro de Interpretación del Agua, the Paraje del Coto and the Árbol de los Abrazos.

The Embalse de la Concepción reservoir lies on the Río Verde de Istán. The Castaño Santo in Istán is an exceptionally large tree. It is probably around 800 years old. Its trunk circumference reaches up to 15 metres at a height of 1.30 metres. The base of the tree reaches up to 22 metres. The Ruta Bici Istán-Castaño Santo is a cycling route from Istán to the Castaño Santo.

Hiking and Cycling

The PR-A 280 begins at Plaza del Cha in Istán. From there, the trail passes through orchards before crossing the Río Molinos. The PR-A 280 is an officially approved and signposted 6.7-kilometre hiking trail that can be walked. The trail leads to Charco del Canalón in the Río Verde valley. The PR-A 140 route from Marbella to Istán crosses the municipal boundary. It runs from the municipality of Marbella into that of Istán.

Culture

The Parish Church of San Miguel is considered Istán’s oldest and most important monument. The church was built at the beginning of the 16th century and remodelled twice, most recently in 1996. The Torre de Escalante stands in the centre of Istán. The structure is designated an Asset of Cultural Interest. It may have been a former Nasrid watchtower. The Fuente y lavadero El Chorro complex consists of a drinking-water fountain with seven spouts. The water from the Fuente y lavadero El Chorro flows over a small waterfall to the area where clothes were once washed.

The El Paso pageant is part of Holy Week in Istán and takes place between Maundy Thursday and Holy Saturday. In Istán, the Romería de San Miguel is called Tomillería and takes place on the Sunday before 29 September.

Festivals and Gastronomy

The Muestra Gastronómica y Día de la Naranja takes place in spring. This event features traditional dishes made with typical local products, as well as orange juice. The Ruta de la Tapa takes place at the same time. Bars and restaurants in the town offer their specialities.

Other destinations in the same navigation area: Villafranco del Guadalhorce, Marina de Casares, Ojén, Los Puertas, Benaoján, Romo Cuevas, El Borge and Estepona.

To the main travel overview: Málaga.