Surrounded by olive trees, lakes and caves, and witness to the birth of Al-Andalus, the municipality of Archidona has all the ingredients to become a first-class tourist destination in the province of Malaga.
The city has been declared a Site of Historic-Artistic Interest and offers you the chance to discover traces of prehistoric societies as well as those of the Phoenician, Roman and Arab civilisations. This cultural cocktail draws you in and leaves you open-mouthed.
Archidona is located at the foot of the Pico del Conjuro, which forms part of the Sierra de Gracia, located in the Antequera region. With an altitude of more than 600 metres, the views from any point of the village are incredibly picturesque. The River Guadalhorce, in particular, is a treat for photographers.
Archidona is the most populated municipality in the whole region, with more than 8,000 inhabitants. The majority of the archidoneses, as its people are known, are concentrated in its main urban centre. There are three other population centres in the municipality: Huertas del Río, Estación de Archidona and Salinas.
What to see in Archidona? The area has a large number of interesting sights due to its historical legacy, which can be seen in both the civil and the religious architecture.
Among the must-sees attractions, we highlight the octagonal Plaza Ochavada, which dates from 1786. It’s one of the most emblematic places in the town and the best representation of Andalucian Baroque art. Around the square and down the winding streets, white façades of red brick buildings are the hallmark of the town.
Another point of architectural interest is La Cilla, which is the name given to the Archidona Town Hall, located in what used to be the Casa del Pósito.
When it comes to religious architecture, the convents of Santo Domingo and Las Mínimas stand out. The Gothic church of Santa Ana and the hermitage of the Virgen de Gracia, on what used to be an old mosque, show a different side of the town’s history.
If you want to spend a few days here, it is very easy to get to Archidona by car, bus or train. Any of these methods will set you up for a perfect holiday, in combination with the option of renting a holiday cottage in the centre or in nearby towns such as Antequera
The cherry on the cake is the proximity of fantastic beaches. Stretching out on the sand and swimming in the Mediterranean is a great way to spend a day.
Among other attractions that the town of Archidona has is the Dog Fair, which is held in May and is one of the unique events that this charming little town celebrates.
As a nugget of trivia, we want to point out that among the famous people born in Archidona is the singer Vanesa Martín.
