If you feel like travelling to the province of Málaga, there is nothing better than starting with one of its most beautiful spots, which is the city of Antequera, which will take you back in time, enjoying the essence of an Andalusian town with a lot of magic.
It is located in the heart of the Antequera region, and in addition to natural areas of great importance, such as El Torcal, you can find a spectacular variety of heritage and a wide range of tourist attractions.
It is crossed by the Guadalhorce river, which provides landscapes and walks that you can enjoy, as there are also several hiking trails.
To get to know Antequera in depth, you should know that its past goes back to Roman and Muslim times, and hence its location in a strategic area for defence as it is an elevated area.
If you are looking to see some of its heritage, here you will find more than fifty buildings, both religious and civil, as well as being able to travel back in time thanks to the archaeological sites such as the dolmens of Antequera, the most famous of which is the dolmen of Menga, declared a World Heritage Site and an Asset of Cultural Interest, as is the dolmen of Viera. Undoubtedly, a unique experience.
Of the architecture linked to religion, the Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor stands out on your map, a construction somewhere between Gothic and Renaissance. It has been declared a National Monument and was also the first in Andalusia to represent the Renaissance style. There is another collegiate church in the city, that of San Sebastián, which due to the different modifications throughout history, has a mixture of different architectural trends.
There are also many convents in Antequera, such as those of Madre de Dios de Monteagudo, Encarnación and San Agustín, among the oldest ones. In each of them you can observe different artistic trends.
Leaving aside the religious heritage, we suggest you get to know the civil architecture with the Alcazaba, a space that perfectly represents the Islamic medina. There are also numerous palaces such as the palace of the Marquises of Peña de los Enamorados or the palace of the Marquis of Villadarias.
Antequera also has a deep-rooted tradition that is present in every event in the calendar of the municipality. It is easy to recognise Antequera’s fandango, which was banned, although its inhabitants kept it privately in their homes. Flamenco and the copla are two of the registers to be enjoyed on any of its important dates. Among them, we highlight, of course, Holy Week, and in August, one of its essential dates: the Royal August Fair of Antequera, with its lively stalls, bullfights and live performances. Also in summer, more specifically in July, you can enjoy the Antequera Blues Festival, a major music event.
And if that's not enough for you, wait until you enjoy its gastronomy. A rich and varied offer that will make you enjoy both the main part of the meal and the dessert.
Don't miss the mollete, the porra, which is how salmorejo is called in Antequera, or the pío antequerano, ajoblanco and gazpachuelo. And to finish off the typical menu, you can't miss the bienmesabe and angelorum.
A land rich in culture is waiting for you to enjoy your holidays!
