Guadalhorce, Campanillas, Guadalmedina Valleys

Guadalhorce, Campanillas, Guadalmedina Valleys

Guadalhorce, Campanillas, Guadalmedina and Grande are the river valleys that converge on the coast at Malaga city. Together they form an interesting area, mainly agricultural supported by small towns such as Alhaurin and Coin. The fertile river plains inland from Malaga city support ligh industry and citrus fruit agriculture, whereas further inland and higher up the valleys one finds smaller villages such as Alhora, Almogia and Ardales. on of the main atraction located in this area is the Caminito del Rey footpath and the lakes at El Chorro.

Guadalhorce, Campanillas, Guadalmedina Valley Destinations

Churriana is one of the 11 districts of Malaga, in the south-western part of the city. It includes the airport, the beach and coastal area of Guadalmar, and the Sierra de Churriana hills. The… More →

Imagine three stunningly beautiful turquoise coloured lakes bordered by pine forests. A tranquil retreat where you can swim or fish, or picnic on the lake shore. Hardly sounds like a typical… More →

The delightful village of Valle de Abdalajis is located in the southern part of the Antequera district in Málaga province and covers about 21 square kilometers. This is a mountain-side village,… More →

Alhaurin El Grande is a satellite town for many families working in the provincial capital Malaga. The outskirts provide new urbanisations and the old town is very much conserved. Alhaurin El… More →

This small town roughly halfway between Málaga and Antequera is rightly proud of its name. It derives from the Moorish al-megia or al-mexía, 'the pretty one', a reference to its position in the… More →

Bobastro is an ancient village so don't expect to find any people living there today. It is located near the village of Ardales in Malaga's lake district. The site comands exceptional views of the… More →

Casabermeja, otherwise known as the door or gateway, to Malaga, is a great a place to head inland from the coast to explore the mountains of Malaga. This village lies within the Parque Natural del… More →

Pizarra is a tiny town lying 30 kilometres upriver in the Guadalhorce valley at the foot of the 350 metre high Sierra del Hacho. Still a largely farming community, it has so far managed to avoid… More →

While the sprawling white town of Cártama undoubtedly impresses the visitor now, with its ruined hilltop fortress, how much more impressive it must have been in its Roman heyday, with a formidable… More →

The small town of Alora is situated 40 kms north of Málaga by the road to Antequera and just 12 km south of El Chorro. From a distance, it is a typical pueblo blanco; a whitewashed village nestled… More →

The rural village of Ardales, well known to Spaniards who spend summers at its reservoir-side campgrounds, is perched along the border of the Ronda mountains. It offers more than stunning… More →

Unlike its equally venerable neighbour, Alhaurín el Grande, which has managed to preserve and even modestly flaunt a little of its Roman and Moorish heritage, Alhaurín de la Torre has conspired to… More →

Coín is situated in the fertile valley of the rio Grande and there is little doubt that a community of some kind existed on the spot long before the Roman conquest. Nevertheless, it was the Romans… More →

Book Hotels in Guadalhorce Valley

 

From Malaga city, you can follow the Guadalhorce valley northwest of Malaga, which becomes more and more stunning as you get closer to the series of reservoirs at the top of the valley. Cártama and Pizarra are the first villages you pass on this route, then Álora with its hilltop Moorish castle and Ardales, which makes a great base for exploring the area and the pretty villages around the reservoirs.

Close to Ardales is the main attraction of this valley, the magnificent steep-sided gorge of El Chorro, otherwise known as the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Natural Area. Other places worth a visit in the area include the extraordinary medieval citadel of Bobastro; the spa village of Carratraca; Teba, which has its own mini-version of El Chorro, the gorge known as the Tajo del Molino which is rich in wildlife; and the Valle de Abdalajis, popular with hang-gliders. The Guadalhorce reservoirs north of El Chorro have many excellent spots for a picnic or for swimming.

If you´re here in spring or summer, don´t miss the unforgettable sight of thousands of flamingos on the lake in the Fuente de Piedra Natural Reserve, north of El Torcal and El Chorro. The lake has been dubbed the pink lagoon, because of the burst of colour created by the flocks of flamingos.

Destinations