Are you thinking of going on a day trip from Malaga but aren’t wanting to drive too far? Believe it or not, there are plenty of white villages near Malaga to choose from, many of which aren’t too well known among tourists. During a leisurely drive through the mountains of Malaga, I came across the traditional Spanish village of Almogia, which is located halfway between the city of Malaga and Antequera. There may not be too many things to do in Almogia but if you’re looking for hidden gems in Malaga this village is a great choice
Like many historic villages in Andalusia, Almogia was most likely founded by the Romans. The village that you see today was built and expanded upon by the Moors though. During the period of reconquest by the Catholic monarchs in the 15th century, the village was predominantly used by the Moors as a prison for its Catholic hostages.
As you can imagine, there’s a beautiful mixture of Arab and Christian culture in Almogia. Its tranquil location within the mountains of Malaga make it a great destination for people wanting to escape busier cities too. Here is my short list of the best things to do in Almogia.
Things to do in Almogia
1. Take a photo at Calle Sevilla
One of the prettiest corners of Almogia is Calle Sevilla. This beautiful street didn’t come up on any lists of things to do in Almogia, so I’m glad I noticed it. If you’re making your way to the main plaza, Calle Sevilla is located at the far end of it, and it’s the perfect spot to get some photos. You’ll find that the village is fairly quiet, so you should have no problems getting a photo here.
2. Chill out in Plaza de la Constitucion
Stopping in Plaza de la Constitucion is one of the top things to do in Almogia, and is where you’ll find a lot of the locals hanging around. If the weather is nice while you’re visiting the village, I would recommend grabbing a drink or something to eat here, and sitting outside under the shade of the umbrellas. The plaza is home to the town hall, and is surrounded by whitewashed houses, which make it very pleasant to sit in and soak up the architecture of Almogia.
3. Visit Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion
A key point of interest in Almogia is Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion – a 16th century church which later had to be restored due to an earthquake. It was originally built on the site of an Arab mosque, which the Christians tore down after they conquered the village in the 15th century. It’s said to be the most attractive piece of architecture in Almogia, and is located directly down the street from the main plaza.
Due to the narrow nature of the village, it’s quite difficult to get a full length photo of the church, and the cars parked in the street don’t help either. Make sure you add this church to your list of things to do in Almogia.
4. Walk around the streets of Almogia
One thing that I always recommend doing if you’re visiting any of the white villages in Spain is to take some time and walk around their streets – even if there are no key attractions along them. Since there aren’t a lot of things to do in Almogia compared to other places around Malaga such as Comares or Alora, you may as well as take a casual stroll through its narrow whitewashed streets. Many of the pueblos in Malaga are situated on the side of a hill or mountain, so make sure you have comfortable shoes on.
5. Stop outside Ermita del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus
Ermita del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus is one historic site worth adding to your list of things to do in Almogia. The hermitage itself dates back to 1521, but the building that you see today is from the 18th century. The doors to the hermitage were closed when I visited but there’s a small courtyard in front of it which is a nice place to rest for a few minutes.
6. Climb up to Torre de la Vela
Torre de la Vela isn’t one of the best castles in the Province of Malaga but climbing up to it is one of the best things to do in Almogia. This single tower is all that remains of a larger defensive castle that once stood here, which would have been built in the early 15th century by the Arabs. It was later used by the Christians to control the movement of the Muslims in the area. The views from here of the village and the surrounding landscape are incredible.
With so many hidden gems in southern Spain to choose from, you won’t know where to start. Luckily, I’ve done my fair share of driving in Andalusia, and have come across some really unique places in the Province of Malaga. Although small, there are enough things to do in Almogia for you to plan a half-day trip from Malaga to. With its proximity to Antequera, you’re also in a prime location to go hiking in El Torcal.
If you have any questions about places to visit from Malaga or need some ideas as you plan your road trip in Andalusia, please feel free to get in contact with me either in the comment section below or through email. And if you know of any other white villages in Malaga I should visit – please let me know. Don’t forget to follow my travels on Instagram as well!
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