Despite it being a small town, there are some lovely things to do in Archidona during a leisurely trip. The town itself has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site, with a history dating back to pre-Roman times. It’s also very popular with people wanting to do some outdoor activities such as hiking or rock climbing.
Southern Spain is filled with gorgeous towns and villages, some of which are hardly visited by tourists. You’ll find that some pueblos blancos have coach tours arriving at them throughout the day because of their popularity. Then there are also inland villages that are equally as beautiful to walk around, and receive little attention.
Archidona is one of these villages. It’s nestled less than an hours drive from Malaga, at the foothills of the Sierra de Gracia (where you can find the remains of a 9th century castle). It’s also very close to Antequera – another often overlooked location by tourists in the province of Malaga.
We spent two nights in Archidona, but sadly didn’t have enough time to hike up to Ermita Virgen de Gracia or see the popular Iglesia de la Victoria. I would recommend adding them to your itinerary though, as they’re two main attractions in Archidona. Here are my recommendations for things to do in Archidona.
Things to do in Archidona
Iglesia de Santa Ana
There are a lot of churches tucked away in the streets of Archidona, but one that really caught my attention was Iglesia de Santa Ana. Visiting this beautiful church is one of the top things to do in Archidona, and it’s located only a short walk from the main plaza.
The original part of the church was constructed in the 16th century, over what was probably an Arab mosque. Together with the town hall they formed the first main structures of the modern Christian town. If you’re touring southern Spain, you’ll notice that there are a lot of impressive churches, even in the smallest of towns, so don’t forget to visit a few of them at least!
Walk the streets of Archidona
Since there aren’t as many things to do in Archidona as there would be in a larger city like Granada, it’s worth taking some time to walk around the streets that make up this charming town. Archidona is situated on a hill, so you should bring good walking shoes for your trip. If you’re visiting in the winter months the weather in southern Spain can be a bit cooler than you might expect. We came across a number of pretty spots in Archidona that weren’t on our itinerary, so we were glad we took a casual stroll through the town.
Iglesia de Jesus Nazareno
On our way to the main plaza, we came across Iglesia de Jesus Nazareno, which is attached to the IES Luis Barahona de Soto (a high school based in an historic building). The church dates back to the 17th century and is worth taking a look around if the doors are open, as it houses a number of important historic altarpieces and images.
Sadly it was closed when we walked by, so if you’re planning a day trip from Antequera, for example, I would suggest checking the opening times if you want to see the inside. Just behind the church is a large free parking lot which is conveniently located less than a 5 minute walk from the main plaza.
Plaza Ochavada
One of the main things to do in Archidona is to visit Plaza Ochavada. This plaza is where you’ll find the town hall, the tourist office, and an array of restaurants. There are 3 arches that make up the entrances to the plaza, and connect it to the rest of the streets in the town.
Plaza Ochavada was built at the end of the 18th century, and was once the location of the town’s bullfights. Today the plaza is used for other cultural purposes such as Holy Week. Archidona actually holds one of the most popular Holy Week celebrations in the province of Malaga, so if you’re planning a road trip in southern Spain around the Easter period, Archidona is a great place to visit. The fact that Archidona is only a small town doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s one of the most unique places in Andalusia.
Castillo fortaleza de Archidona
One of the most unique things to do in Archidona is to visit Castillo fortaleza de Archidona. It dates back to the 9th century but was later rebuilt by the Nasrids in the 13th century. Although not much of the medina can be seen today, you can still make out two of its main walls. It’s quite a trek to get up to the castle, so if you don’t feel like hiking you can take a photo of it from below too.
Find some hidden gems
Despite its small size, you’ll find a lot of hidden gems dotted around Archidona. Directly next to Iglesia de Jesus Nazareno is this charming street nestled between historic buildings. The arch at the far end of the street is a great spot to take photos, and you won’t find it too busy either regardless of what time of the day you visit it.
Visit Antequera
Archidona is great for a day trip, but if you’re staying in the area there are plenty of nearby places to visit too. I would recommend making the short drive to Antequera. It’s a beautiful historic city in Andalusia to walk around, with more churches per inhabitant than any other city in Spain. And there are plenty of outdoor activities to do in the area too such as hiking El Torcal. If you’re still in the midst of planning your itinerary for southern Spain, make sure Antequera is on that list (along with Archidona, of course).
Where to eat in Archidona
Restaurante Arxiduna
We were pleasantly surprised to come across Restaurante Arxiduna while we were walking around Plaza Ochavada. It holds several awards for its twist on traditional food, but is still a very budget friendly restaurant in Archidona. We enjoyed it so much that we went back twice so that we could try out more of their delicious dishes. One of my personal favourites was a savoury waffle with Parmesan and truffle on top.
If the weather is nice, I would recommend sitting outside in the plaza while you eat. And don’t forget to order one of their tasty desserts to finish your day on a good note.
Where to stay in Archidona
Hostal Aljibe
The best place to stay in Archidona is Hostal Aljibe. This family-run boutique hotel is situated a very short walk from the main plaza and really is a hidden gem in Andalusia. The hotel has been newly renovated and is situated inside a traditional village house. Despite its renovations, you can still feel the charm of the historic building, especially as you gaze out from your balcony at the narrow streets of Archidona.
We stayed in their Deluxe Double Room which is perfect for a couple of nights. The owners believe that sleeping well is essential so no details are left unturned. The bedding is made from 100% European-grown washed linen and there are three hypoallergenic pillows to choose from. And the mattress is extremely comfortable too so you’re sure to have a great sleep.
The lighting is handmade by the owner and really creates a sense of ambiance in the evening. Each room at Hostal Aljibe beautifully blends modern and original elements too. The ensuite bathroom includes fresh towels, toiletries, and a stunning rain shower that compliments the style of the room perfectly. Another key feature of the Deluxe Double Room is the balcony overlooking the street.
Downstairs guests can enjoy the common space with plenty of seating available in the lounge as well as the area where the breakfast is served. The decor here reflects the modern elements of the bedrooms, so it’s a very tranquil space to relax in. Since this boutique hotel near Malaga only has a few rooms you’ll most likely have the space all to yourself throughout the day.
For a small additional fee guests at Hostal Aljibe can enjoy an amazing buffet breakfast in the morning. The breakfast heavily features local produce and you’ll find a lot of Spanish-inspired options available as well. Most of the buffet breakfast is continental, but the owner is more than happy to cook fresh eggs however you prefer them. Having breakfast here is the best way to start the day in my opinion.
One of the biggest highlights of Hostal Aljibe is the beautiful emerald pool. The tiling around the pool give it an Andalusian vibe and there are plenty of spaces for lounging in the sun. If there are no pillows set out on the sun loungers, just ask the owner who will be happy to provide you with them. This part of the hotel feels like your own oasis in the middle of the village.
As you make your way out of the hotel, in the direction of the pool, you’ll first come across a gorgeous Andalusian patio. This is a shaded space which can be a nice retreat from the hot summer sun if you’ve been spending time at the pool. It’s also a great area to relax after a long day of exploring Archidona and the surrounding area.
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Archidona, you can’t go wrong with Hostal Aljibe. This small-scale boutique hotel situated between Malaga and Granada is the perfect place to stay for a quiet retreat in Andalusia.
>> Book your stay at this charming boutique hotel in Archidona <<
Is Archidona worth visiting?
Archidona is one of the smaller towns that I’ve visited so far in Andalusia, but it has just as much charm as the larger, more popular ones. I would definitely put it up there with some of the more secret places to visit in Spain. If you’re planning a trip to southern Spain, you should make some time in your itinerary for at least a few hours in Archidona. It’s one of the best inland towns near Malaga to visit, and most people don’t even know it’s there.
I would love to hear about your favourite places to visit in the province of Malaga. If you’ve ever been to Archidona please let me know what you thought about it in the comment section below. Remember to follow me on my travels through Instagram as well – hopefully you’ll be adding more unique places to visit in Spain to your bucket list!
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