Periana best things to see and do
The EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) village
Visit Periana and discover the liquid gold of Axarquia
In this article you will find the essential information to visit Periana:
- A few words about Periana
- The origins of Periana
- What to see in Periana?
- What to do in Periana?
- activities
- guided tours
- ferias and fiestas
- Where is Periana?
- Booking accommodation
- Some useful links
- Experiences to discover in the province of Málaga
A few words about Periana
Periana is located in Axarquia in the province of Málaga.
Periana is a village that offers a magnificent mountainous panorama over other villages, the lake of La Viñuela, and fields of olive trees.
It is known and recognized for the quality of its olive oil. The tasting of its olive oil is a must in the village. The best time to come is during the Verdial olive oil festival in April (see below).
Origins of Periana
It is one of the few villages for which there is no certainty about the origin of its name. However, there is a legend (of which there are many in Axarquia): according to oral tradition, two families were always fighting over the name of the village, the Pereiro and the Santana.
In order to put an end to this, it was decided to combine the two names to make one name: Periana. The legend is even in the village coat of arms!
Periana is also known for the cultivation of a rare fruit, a type of peach that grows in Argentina, called melocoton.
It was a local resident, nicknamed “El Rojo”, who went to Argentina over 200 years ago and brought back plants of this fruit. The subtropical climate has allowed this crop to develop around the village.
What to see in Periana?
San Isidro el labrador Church
It was (re)built after the terrible earthquake of 1884, known as “The Earthquake of Andalucia”.
Its architecture is in the neo-Mudéjar style.
There are several interesting buildings and houses around it.
Purchase olive oil from Periana
The olive oil from this cooperative has won numerous awards in Spain and internationally.
They even produce a rather exclusive olive oil from thousand-year-old olive trees…which also won a prize:
Discover the hamlets of Periana
The municipality of Periana is full of beautiful places and deserves several visits to discover all its riches.
Mondron
This hamlet is renowned throughout the province of Málaga for the excellence of its verdial olive oil. In the hamlet, a gentle sensation of time standing still runs through us. Several old washhouses can be seen here.
There is also a small olive oil museum, which displays the traditional tools used to make olive oil, including milling stones.
Baños de Vilo, the Arab Baths of Periana
This village of Roman origin is known for its ancient Arab baths, which are worth visiting. You can also bathe here. There is a carved coping from over 1000 years ago right next to this natural well.
The water has medicinal properties with its sulphuric, magnesium-calcium and nitrogenous waters, which gush out at 21 degrees.
The village is located in the foothills of the Sierra de Enmedio, bathed by the river Zapata, making this place a small paradise of tranquillity.
Guaro
This hamlet is a little wonder. It is located at the foot of a mountain and all over the village you can see fruit trees.
This fruit is used to make carne de membrillo. It is delicious with cheese.
There are also cacti with their prickly pear.
Guaro means: water source (manantial de agua). It is a village surrounded by the Sierra de Alhama, in the bowels of which there is a huge underground lake, one of the largest in Europe.
This lake “comes alive” when its waters rise to the surface, forming white waterfalls that give rise to the River Guaro, hence the name “El Manantial de la Axarquia” (the source of the Axarquia).
The view from this hamlet is superb.
Marchamonas
Marchamonas is a hamlet of a few houses, which is probably the highest inhabited place in the whole of Axarquia, with an altitude of about 1100 metres.
In this hamlet we can see an old well-preserved threshing floor, where the wheat was once winnowed.
From Marchamonas there are several prehistoric caves that can be discovered on hikes.
The Vereda Blanca pass (the famous white mountain pictured below) was used by smugglers and bandits to cross between the provinces of Malaga and Granada. The caves were also used as temporary shelters.
Among the ten caves I visited, there are several where one can easily find evidence that these places were inhabited in prehistoric times.
In one cave there is even a schematic engraving:
Most of the caves offer beautiful scenery. Some of them even offer a view of the sea:
Pollo Pelao (Peeled chicken)
This hamlet of Periana, which has a funny name, was once called “Carrasquilla”.
But the story goes that the name was changed by the grandmothers of the village to Pollo Pelao to refer to its peeled fields!
What to see around Periana?
Continuing on your way, you will arrive at Alfarnatejo and Alfarnate. These two villages are also worth a visit.
What to do in Periana?
Activities in the area
There are many interesting activities to discover in the area:
- 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 (rio Chillar, El Saltillo with the hanging bridge,…)
- canyoning (in the rio Verde,…)
- astrotourism
- snorkeling
- visit of caves
Use the following link to access all the activities to do. This link provides you with all the details of each activity.
Guided tours
A very good local guide, Cipriano, offers thematic and seasonal guided tours of the villages of Axarquia. These tours leave from Nerja, Torrox and Torre del Mar.
For example, Cipriano organises the Ruta del Aceite y los Montes. This tour is only possible 4 months of the year, from February to May. This Olive oil Route is absolutely unique. A must-see!
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 Comares Tour, the Raisin route, Frigiliana and El Acebuchal Tour….
Here are all the guided tours from Torrox, Nerja and Torre del Mar.
The fiestas
Below, the poster of the Verdial olive oil festival in Periana. The olive oil of Periana is the most famous in the whole of Axarquia. A marvel to be discovered on this day.
- Dia del Aceite Verdial (Olive oil Festival), in April
- Periana Fair, The village festival, in August
- Feria de San Isidro, in May
Where is Periana?
Booking accommodation
Enter the desired dates to check availability directly.
Booking.com
Some useful links to visit Andalucia
Here is a great car rental agency in Andalusia and more specifically at Malaga airport : book a rental car.
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:
- Discover must-sees before visiting Cordoba
- Visit Malaga on foot.
- All you need to know about Granada, the Alhambra, the Albaicin neighbourhood before visiting Granada
- If you are passing through the geographical centre of Andalucia, then you can visit Antequera, with the incredible natural site of El Torcal right next door.
Experiences to discover in the province of Malaga
If you are in the area for a few days, here is a selection of great activities:
Find more ideas for visits to authentic Andalucia: see the blog pages on Andalucia.
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