Located just 35 km from Malaga in the La Axarquia region in Malaga province you will find the pretty white village of Almáchar.

The little village although small has some fascinating historical buildings and other tourist attractions including

Parish church of San Mateo

This church which was built in the 16^th Century is located in the centre of the village is a fascinating mix of different styles including gothic and renaissance while its exterior is dominated by a square Mudéjar-style tower.

Museo de la Pasa (Raisin Museum)

This museum is dedicated to in rasin industry, the main sorce of income for the people of the villaje. Inside the museum you will find an interesting collection of utensils and implements that were traditionally used. You can also learn about the procedure for harvesting grapes and turning them into raisins. . Admission to the museum is free and the opening times are from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, from Monday through Friday throughout the year. It is located at 5 Santo Cristo Plaza (Telephone: 952 512 002).

The El Forfe Gardens

Located on the edge of the village these beautiful gardens are well worth a visit from where you will be able to enjoy some magnificent views of the surrounding countryside including the River Almáchar

Also from here you will be able see the entrance to the fascinating Cueva del Moro (Cave of the Moor)

Cueva del Moro (Cave of the Moor)

These caves have a historical importance to the region as according the legend legend this cave guards a treasure that a Moor placed there before leaving due to the Christian invasion.

The village is a fascinating example of the traditional Andalucian white village , it has a Moorish urban layout and due to its layout cars can not enter the village itself and must be be parked at the main entrance.

This gives you the chance to really explore the village itself and you will be able to enjoy the Moorish and Arabic influences of the buildings with their stairways, portals, narrow passageways and the mixture of colours. Take note that many of the streets are very steep due to the sloping terrain especially in the neighbourhood of “Las Cabras” (“The Goats”)

One of the most fascinating streets in the village is Mártires Street which will take you up by the San Mateo church.

Like all the towns and villages of Spain the people of this Andalucian village enjoy a good party and there are a number of fiestas during the year including

In May the people of the village enjoy a fiesta in honour of the Santo Cristo de la Banda Verde (Holy Christ of the Green Band) This fiesta takes place on the first weekend in May. The story goes the people of the village appealed to the image to protect the village during the wave of earthquakes that shook the region in the mid-eighteenth century and due to the fact not one resident of the town perished as a result of the seismic disturbances and the town’s houses were scarcely damaged, this Christ was declared the protector of the locality.During the celebration there is a mass and the bearing of the image in a procession through the central streets of the town, various musical performances, dance programs, fireworks displays, sports competitions and traditional verbenas (street parties)

In late July the town holds a fair in honor of the patron saint Nuestra Señora del Amparo (Our Lady of Protection), This three day event includes a great variety of festive, sporting and cultural events

On the first Saturday in September the village hosts its most famous fiesta ,the Ajoblanco Fiesta which sees thousands of outsiders flock to the town where they are treated to a free sample of this genuine Almachareño dish. This Fiesta has been designated as of National Tourist Interest in Andalusia. On this day the town becomes a colourful showcase where items of great historic and artistic value are displayed, and there are even traditional scenes acted out by means of dolls or mannequins dressed in the style of a century ago.> Visitors are also treated to fascinating performances of “pandas de verdiales” (fandango-like musical groups), Rocío choirs and flamenco

Tourist Information: Town Hall, Calle Almería (29718). Telephone: 952 512 002; Fax: 952 512 140