Thanks to its geographical location in the heart of Andalusia, Antequera is an important communications link and an outstanding logistics and tourism centre.
It is considered the kilometre zero of Andalusia, which is why it has played such an important role throughout its 6,000 years of uninterrupted history. As a result, it concentrates 80% of the historical-artistic heritage of the province of Malaga and, since 2016, it is the only city in the province declared World Heritage thanks to the Dolmens Archaeological Site.
Commonly known as the “Castillo de Papabellotas”, the Alcazaba is one of the most spectacular and majestic monuments in the city and is a must-see on your tour of Antequera.
Its square became a strategic area during the reconquest and, as a witness to History, was declared a National Monument.
It is considered to be the first church built in the Renaissance style in Andalusia (between 1514 and 1550), apart from its more than evident monumentality. It has been declared a National Monument. It has been declared a National Monument.
It is an exceptional building due to its proportions, in which different stylistic criteria coexist: it was designed in Gothic style and ended up as a Renaissance building. The architects Pedro López and Diego de Vergara, among others, contributed to its construction.
Opening hours of both monuments:
To discover each of the majestic corners of this city you should start with its most emblematic monument, the Alcazaba. You should then visit the first Renaissance-style temple built in Andalusia, the Real Colegiata de Sta María La Mayor, which, together with the Church of El Carmen, the palatial houses and the Antequera City Museum-MVCA, are essential stops on your visit.
Other unmissable sites are the Menga Dolmen, the Viera Dolmen and El Romeral Tholos, La Peña de los Enamorados and El Torcal, known as the Dolmens Site, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2016.
Semana Santa (Easter Week) in Antequera is one of the city’s great celebrations, in which tradition, History, art and faith go hand in hand to create some unique festivities. Particularly noteworthy is the tradition of “Correr la Vega” every Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
Antequera is not fully discovered without tasting its signature products protected by the geographical denomination: olive oil and “Mollete de Antequera”. Don’t forget to try some of its most representative dishes such as “Porra” or the sweet “Bienmesabe”.
Antequera, apart from its monumental heritage, also has numerous natural attractions such as the fertile Vega, the Peña de los Enamorados, El Caminito del Rey or the surprising and sculptural limestone landscape of El Torcal.
