Algarrobo - Comarca de la Axarquía - Málaga

Algarrobo, a town in the province of Malaga, is located to the southeast of Malaga iyself, at a distamce of 37.5 km The nearest town is the Caleta de Vélez. To the north it borders the municipalities of Sayalonga and Arenas, whilst to the south lies the Mediterranean Sea. East are the municipalities of Sayalonga, and Vélez-Málaga is to the west. Its height above sea level is 86 m., and it has a surface area of 9 '7Km2.

Algarrobo is a town with a coastal landscape, the village being inland, three km from the beach. Like many municipalities whose borders reach the sea, it has turned to coastal tourism, which can be seen in the existence of numerous developments in Algarrobo-Costa. Its foundation goes back to the period of Arab rule, but the expulsion of the Moors left the town virtually abandoned, and it was repopulated later.

Strolling through the steep and winding streets, your attention will be drawn to the niches in some facades to venerate the saints, am ancient tradition that still exists in this county. Admire the monuments, the remains of its ancient past, such as the Phoenician necropolis of Trayamar. The folklore of Algarrobo includes "los verdiales", now danced at parties at country houses after treading the grapes of the family wineries.

Algarrobo is famous for its sweeta auch as tortas and roscos de aceite, that have been handcrafted since 1953. In regard to food, as in other villages in the Axarquia, there is the chivo en salsa, which can be tasted in restaurants in the area.

The origins of Algarrobo in all probability go back to the Paleolithic era, although the first documented prehistoric settlement is from the Copper Age. The Phoenician necropolis Trayamar, and the remains found in the Morro de Mezquitilla, have been catalogued by the German professors Schubart and Niemeyer, as among the most important Phoenician remains existing in the West.

The entry of the Arabs into the Iberian Peninsula saw Berbers from Algeria founding the town of Algarrobo further inland, where they introduced crops like almonds and raisins, and small industries making silk. In 1487, when the Christian troops took the town of Velez-Malaga, Algarrobo passed to the crown.

Monuments

Church of Santa Ana
Shrine of San Sebastian
Shrine of la Virgen de las Angustias
Parish church of Fátima
Ladeada Tower and Derecha Tower
Necrópolis of Trayamar - Tumbas Fenicias
Morro de Mezquitilla
Shrine of la Divina Pastora and San José

Gastronomy

Some typical dishes from Algarrobo are: white garlic, sardines, gazpacho, chivo en salsa, potage algarrobeño and fennel stew.

As for desserts, the highlight is their "tortas de aceite".

Distances

Málaga 41 km
Marbella 102 km
Nerja 19 km
Granada 122 km