Don't Miss

Walking around this Pueblo Blanco as Alora is considered to be the cradle of Malaga – there are too many things to list!

The Castle that rises and symbolises Alora was probably built in the Visigoth era and amplified by the Arabs and all that remains are two towers and a horseshoe archway

There is a parish church of Nuestra Senora de la Encarnacion; a temple that took a century to build (1600-1699) and was built on top of a mosque which existed in the Castle.

The chapel of Veracruz, a small 16th century construction, erected to commemorate the victory over the Moorish rebels.

Two kilometres from the town centre with splendid panoramas of the Guadalhorce valley, is the convent of Our Lady of the Flowers, built in the 16th century and restored in the 18th century.

Other places of archaeological interest are Arroyo Hondo (deep brook), from the Iberian era; the village and thermae of Canca, from the Roman era; the necropolis of Carril de los Muertos (lane of the dead), and the village of Tesorillo (little treasure), both also Roman.

El Chorro – lakes & mountains plus the Hacho and the Sierra de las Aguas

"La Despedida" (The goodbye), in which the images of the Dolorosa and Jesus of Nazareth greet each other by means of the manoeuvres of their respective thrones and carriers, this takes place during Easter on Good Friday

In July there is a flamenco singing festival and the next Sunday after the 8th of May, is the pilgrimage to the convent of Nuestra Senora de la Flores.

The patron saint's festivities in honour of Saint Paulino are celebrated at the beginning of August, with a cattle fair and numerous popular acts.

Do Try

Many dishes, which derive from the rich fruit and vegetable cultivation of the valley's lands, but among the best known are the "perotas" soups, usually accompanied by fruit. Other creations are 'bolos', 'majillo de esparragos', a kind of 'gazpacho' they call pimenton, and 'calabacete'. For dessert try the homemade 'horchata' a drink made from tiger nuts.

Do Buy

There are many small and attractive shops in the town of Alora plus some specialists in basketry, saddlery and castanets.