Competa best things to see and do
White village nicknamed the Ledge of the Axarquia
What to see in Competa one of the most beautiful white village
In this article you will find the essential information about what to see in Competa
- A few words about Competa
- The history of the village
- Visiting Competa, what to see?
- What to do in Competa?
- The walks and hiking trails around the village
- activities
- guided tour: the wine and sun route
- fiestas and ferias
- Where is Competa?
- Book accommodation in Competa
- Some useful links
- Experiences to discover in the province of Málaga
A few words about Competa
Competa is located in Axarquia in the province of Málaga. It is one of the most beautiful and authentic villages in the region.
This village is known for its beauty, its walks, the tradition of ceramics since the Arab period.
Its location, almost 700 metres above sea level, at the foot of the Sierra de Almijara, overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. This is what has earned it the nickname of the cornice of the Costa del Sol.
The history of the village
The first written records of this village date from 1487, the year in which the Catholic kings reconquered Competa, putting an end to the “Al Andalus” period.
In the 16th century, it was the most densely populated Moorish enclave and, after the expulsion decree, it was practically uninhabited, except for the garrison of soldiers (around 200) responsible for controlling the passage of the deportees from Granada and catching the escapees…
On the other hand, the village seems to take its name from an ancient Roman settlement “Compita-Orum”, which means the crossroads. A crossroads, therefore, which was a place for trade, festivals and offerings.
What to see when visiting Competa
The landmark during the visit to the town is the magnificent church tower.
The visit to Competa is done through the narrow streets of the village. There are many typical houses, remains of the Al-Andalus period and beautiful views.
In the centre of the village is the Plaza de Almijara. It is the ideal place to stop for a drink and to eat some tapitas.
Not far from this square, next to the church, there is a beautiful statue that pays tribute to the fandangos of Competa :
Competa is famous for its moscatel wines (D.O. Malaga). Around the village you can see paseros, the grape dryers.
On the 15th of August, the village organises the Noche del Vino, a very beautiful wine festival (see below). This is an opportunity to walk through the narrow streets of Competa.
…. Always have the church tower as a landmark:
Ideas for walks around the village
The village is also the starting point for many walks to Canillas de Albaida and Archez.
For those who like to walk with their feet in the water, there is an incredible hiking trail in Competa.
This hike ends with an incredible waterfall of 15-20 metres in height. This is the rio Patamalara walk.
In the municipality of Competa, there is also an exceptional hamlet to see, for its history and beauty. It is El Acebuchal, the lost village.
Guided tour of the Wine and Sun Route
The “Wine and Sun” route starts in Torre del Mar, Torrox, Nerja.
This day is dedicated to visiting the villages of Competa, Torrox and Sayalonga with a visit to a famous bodega.
This guided tour is conducted by a local guide, Cipriano.
Discover the day in this link :
Details and online booking of the Wine and Sun Route
In autumn, this guide offers a very special day also on the theme of grapes. It is a guided tour of the Raisin Route (to be discovered!).
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.
Here you can find all the guided tours in Axarquia from Torrox, Nerja and Torre del Mar.
The village festivities
Below you will find links to the main fairs and festivals in Competa:
- La noche del vino (Night Wine), 15th August
- Romería y Fiesta de San Sebastián, 20th January
- Competa Holy Week, late March and early April
- Día de la Cruz, 3 May
- Fiesta de San Juan, 24th June
- Competa Fair, in July
- Fiesta de la Inmaculada, 26th June
Activities around Competa
In the surroundings it is possible to find very nice activities:
- 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.
Where is Competa located?
Book accommodation in Competa
Booking.com
Some useful links
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 Andalusia, then you can visit the beautiful Antequera, with the incredible natural site of El Torcal right next door
Experiences to discover in the province of Málaga
Find more ideas for visits to authentic Andalusia: see the blog pages on Andalucia.
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