Guaro, well know for its Luna Mora festival, is situated on the road between Marbella (15km) and Alhaurin El Grande and Coin It is 50km from Malaga and the road links the Costa del Sol with the Ronda Mountains. It is the entrance to the Nature Park of the Sierra de las Nieves Mountains, and the area has been named by UNESCO as a Biospheric Reserve.

Guaro itself has its own special beauty .It is located in the stunning Guadalhorce Valley and is built on the side of a steep hill, its narrow and winding streets rise and fall with the mountainous terrain they are built on. In recent years the local authorities have made great headway in improving the town’s infrastructure, while the range of overnight accommodation available has improved considerably, turning Guaro into one of the most important cultural centres in the region from May to September.

The two biggest events in Guaro’s festive calendar are the August feria and the Luna Mora festival, which takes place on the second and third weeks in September. During the Luna Mora, the streets turn into medieval Moorish bazaars, while Andalucian and Arabic music is played in the streets, belly dancers perform and everybody tastes the best of the local produce available. Guaro is especially pretty by night during Luna Mora Festival, when thousands of candles light up the streets.

The town´s history goes back to pre-historic times, as visitors can see from the remains discovered in the Ardite area. There are also Roman remains here, in the Polvillar area, and evidence of the Moorish settlements in Guaro can be found in the town itself and in Guaro Viejo.

The town although small has some beautiful historical buildings which are well worth visiting

Church of San Miguel
The church was built in 1505 and reformed a century later by Pedro Díaz de Palacios, chief clerk of works of the diocese of the time. At that stage the roof was restructured, the bell tower was built and a new sacristy was added onto the main building. Following the Civil War, the building was once more reconstructed, this time by Enrique Atencia. Its ground plan is in the shape of the Latin cross without side naves. There is a semicircular arch between Tuscan pillars on the front façade, with a balcony overhead on top of which stands a cornice and niche holding the image of San Miguel. To the right is the square tower in two storeys, opening to a semicircular arch on the second floor that holds the church bells. The bell tower, sacristy, choir and altars have been reformed as recently as 1996 and 1997.

Hermitage of the Santuario de la Cruz del Puerto
The hermitage, situated at about half a kilometre from the town centre, dates from the 18th century and has recently been reformed. It was formerly the spot where the people of the place waited to emigrate to other regions and countries in times past, given its position at a number of roads that cross there, and from there too one can see most of the municipality. It used to have the image of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno, but in our own time the image of the Cristo Limpias presides over this sanctuary.

Hermitage of San Isidro
This is situated on the banks of the Río Grande, amidst a large eucalyptus grove. It was built in 1992 in the Andalusian style, with a central niche to hold the image of San Isidro Labrador, patron of the agricultural workers, during the romerías. On May 15th every year a romería takes place at this hermitage, and on the Sunday of the weekend in question a huge paella is made for all those present, and a mass is celebrated in honour of the saint.

Los Rulos del Molino
This is a small museum of olive oil and popular arts and crafts. Inside is a reconstructed electric oil press dating from the beginning of the 20th century, a press operated by animal power and a screw operated wine press from the 18th century

Guaro Local Parties

The Romería of San Isidro takes place in the middle of May

The Guaro Fair takes place in August

In the second and third weeks in September, the festival of the Luna Mora

On December 7th and 8th December the Mayordomas in honour of the Virgen Inmaculada Concepción, patron saint of the town take Place.This is atraditional event that dates back to the 19th century, and involves the selection of between two and six young girls between the ages of 14 and 16 to care for and adorn the image of the Virgin in the parish church. Their task lasts for the entire year, at which stage the Virgin is carried out in procession through the streets, accompanied by the Mayordomas, the people of the town and visitors from other areas

Although small the town of Guaro is well worth a visit. Further information on Guaro can be found at www.guaro.es