Algarrobo best things to see and do

Algarrobo, a typical white village in Axarquia


Algarrobo que voir : vue sur le village
View of Algarrobo pueblo and the sea

In this article you will find the essential information about what to see in Algarrobo, in Malaga province :

  • A few words about Algarrobo
  • The origins
  • What to see in Algarrobo?
  • What to do in Algarrobo?
    • activities
    • guided tours
    • fiestas and ferias
  • Where is Algarrobo?
  • Book accommodation
  • Some useful links
  • Experiences to discover in the province of Málaga

Algarrobo calle 3

A few words about Algarrobo


Algarrobo is located in Axarquia in the province of Malaga.


The historical part is the white village of Algarrobo, which is of Arabic origin, with the typical layout of its alleys among the white houses of the village.


Algarrobo callejon 2
Alley in Algarrobo

Like many villages on the Costa del Sol, this village is split into two parts. There is Algarrobo Costa, on the seaside, and Algarrobo Pueblo. This structure, linked to history, can be found in Torrox as well as in Mijas and elsewhere.


Algarrobo centro
In the village

The origines


During the period of al-Andalus, after the Muslim conquest of Hispania, the village took the name of Garrobo. It became Algorrobo years after the reconquest by the Catholic kings. The reconquest took place in the same year as Malaga in 1487.


Algarrobo balcon

However, the origins of the village seem to go back to the Paleolithic. The major historical legacy is Phoenician with the necropolises of Trayamar (article in Spanish) and the morro de Mezquitilla at the mouth of the river Algarrobo. These two Phoenician sites have been described by Professor Hans Georg Niemeyer as being among the most important Phoenician traces in the West. Many of the remains are now on display in the archaeological museum in Malaga (40km away).


What to see in Algarrobo ?


What to see in Algarrobo Costa


The 2 watchtowers


Algarrobo Costa is very modern and recent compared to the Pueblo. However, there are 2 lookout towers that are worth a visit.


Algarrobo que voir : la tour "neuve" de vigie à algarrobo costa
Torre Nueva in Algarrobo Costa

They were used to prevent enemy invasions from the sea. One tower (Torre ladeada) dates from the 16th century and the other (Torre Nueva) from the 18th century.


algarrobo-costa-torre-ladeada
Torre ladeada

The Mayora


La Mayora is a world-renowned centre for the study of tropical fruit growing. Sometimes there are open days to discover it. Not to be missed if the opportunity arises!


A chiriguinto in Algarrobo Costa


There is a famous chiriguinto in Algarrobo Costa, which is worth a visit: Rompeolas . It is very good and the plates are generous, you can order media racion, it will be already copious.


What to see in Algarrobo Pueblo


Algarrobo callejon
callejon

To discover the village, there is nothing better than to walk through its streets and alleys, to feel the atmosphere of a white village.


Algarrobo calle 4

As with many white villages in Andalucia…. it goes up and down!


Algarrobo calle 5

Santa Ana Church


Algarrobo iglesia Santa Ana
iglesia Santa Ana

Next to the church, you can enjoy the sometimes curious views of the village and the surrounding mountains.


Algarrobo calle

Sometimes you can even find yourself on a street called “street with no exit”!


Algarrobo calle sin salida

The area around the cemetery


This location is worth a visit for its magnificent view of the village and the sea.


Algarrobo cementerio vista
vista desde el cementerio

The oil mill


There is still an oil mill in the village. It is open on Saturdays. The inhabitants are used to bring their harvest to make their olive oil!


Algarrobo molino 2
Door of the oil mill in Algarrobo

The Chapel of Saint Sebastian


It is located on the heights of the village, next to the cemetery.


Algarrobo capilla San Sabastian
capilla San Sabastian

Saint Sebastian is the patron saint of the village. He is celebrated every year in January, during the Fiesta de San Sebastian.


Handcrafted crochet decorations


In a typical street in the centre of Algarrobo, you can admire these little marvels. They are particularly beautiful when you pass under them at night, when they are illuminated. During the day, they provide a little protection from the sun.



The tortas of Algarrobo


This is what makes the gastronomic reputation of the village: the famous “tortas de Algarrobo”.

This is a cake of Arabic origin that you can try on the spot.


See a village ‘linked’ to Algarrobo


Algarrobo is also known for having been home to many Andalusian bandits:


  • Manuel Melgares Ruiz,
  • Antonio Duplas « El Francés »
  • Luis Muñoz García, better known and nicknamed “El Bizco de El Borge”.

El Borge casa el bizco
House of the bandit El Bizco in El Borge

El Bizco was the head of a gang of thugs that terrorised the Civil Guard. His house, in the nearby village of El Borge, now houses the Andalusian Banditry Museum.


A tip for visiting Algarrobo Pueblo


As you can see from the photos, the village has preserved the typical layout of the streets from the Al-Andalus period. If there is only one piece of advice: park your car at the entrance to the village and walk through it…


Algarrobo calle estrecha
calle estrecha

What to do in Algarrobo ?


Activities


In the surroundings, it is possible to find very nice activities:


Competa hike rio Patamalara
Patamalara river Hike

  • horse riding, on the beach or in the mountains
  • diving in Nerja and Torrox
  • guided tours (villages of Axarquia, Cordoba, Alhambra,…)
  • via ferrata (Caminito del Rey,…)
  • hiking (El Saltillo with the hanging bridge,…)
  • canyoning (in the rio Verde,…)
  • astrotourism
  • snorkeling in Torrox or Nerja
  • visit of caves

Use the following link to access all the activities to do. during your holidays. This link provides you with all the details of each activity.


Ideas for guided tours


A very good local guide, Cipriano, offers thematic and seasonal guided tours of Axarquia.


local guide andalucia

For example, Cipriano organises The Comares Tour from Nerja. Comares is a must-see village!


Comares pueblo

The guided tours are always done in small groups (2 to 8 people max.) to discover the authentic Axarquia.


In the following link you will find all the details and prices of the tours he offers.


The themes of the tours are: the white villages of Axarquia, the wine route, the raisin route, ….


Here are all the guided tours from Torrox, Nerja and Torre del Mar.


The fiestas


There are many ferias and fiestas throughout the year, the main ones being :


algarrobo-fiesta-de-la-quema-2023

Algarrobo was almost burnt down in the early 19th century by Napoleonic troops. During the French occupation, villagers ambushed the village and a patrol was massacred. In retaliation, orders were given to burn the village. The whole village then got together and sent a young man from the village to ask for an audience with the French governor of Malaga. He obtained a pardon to avoid burning down the village.



The municipality, through the Fiesta de la Quema, recalls this historical event with a stage set in the village.



Where is Algarrobo?



Book accommodation


Please enter the desired dates to check availability.


Booking.com


Want to continue touring Andalucia?


Easy and economical bookings






If you are in Andalucia as part of a tour with several major cities to visit, here are some links that may be of interest:


Seville


Seville, the capital of Andalucia, is a city full of treasures to discover and monuments to visit.


visita-sevilla-dias-catedral-puerta-del-perdon
Door of Forgiveness – Seville Cathedral

Here you will find everything you can see in Seville in 3 days. And for those who will stay longer you will also find information on secret Seville and the Santa Cruz and Triana districts.


Cadiz


cadix cadiz cathedrale catedral cathedral cattedrale

Visit Cadiz, a city with an incredible past and great beauty, on the Costa del la Luz.


Malaga


When you reach the Costa del Sol you will find in this link all must-sees in Malaga :


visiter-malaga-art-de-rue-place-juderia-proche-musee-picasso
Street art next to the Picasso Museum Malaga

Granada


Discover what to see in Granada, and visit the Albaicin and Sacromonte districts:


sacromonte-in-granada-view-on-alhambra-2

Cordoba


And of course, visit Cordoba, the caliphate city, and the Juderia district


visiter-cordoue-facade-sculptee-de-la-mosquee-cathedrale

Experiences to discover in the province of Malaga



Find more ideas for visits to authentic Andalucia: see the blog pages on Andalucia.


Here is the link to receive our newsletter from the andaluciamia.com blog


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