Nestled amongst vineyards, citrus trees, and avocado plantations sits Benamargosa – an unimposing white village in Malaga. I came across this village while driving along the Route of the Raisin, and made a quick stop to look at a few things to see in Benamargosa. While I wouldn’t necessarily plan a day trip from Malaga here, it’s situated in a very picturesque location, and if you’re exploring the Axarquia region of Malaga then it’s worth stopping at. For those of you that love anything to do with avocados, Benamargosa is one of 6 villages that make up the Route of the Sun and the Avocado. It even has its own avocado-based smoothie called Baticate.
Compared to other white villages in this area of Malaga, there aren’t too many things to see in Benamargosa, which is why I would only recommend planning a short stop here. The village does, however, have a history that dates back to the 15th century, when 45 Moors were given permission to live here under Christian rule. There’s also a document that dates back to the early 13th century linking Benamargosa to the citrus fruits grown in this micro climate. Here are my recommendations for what to see in Benamargosa if you’re interested in its history and heritage.
Things to see in Benamargosa
Iglesia de la Encarnacion
One of the main things to see in Benamargosa is the Iglesia de la Encarnacion, which was built in the 16th century on the site of an Arab mosque. It sits at the lower end of the village, and is considered to be the oldest and most important building in Benamargosa. The church doors were unfortunately closed when I visited, but from what I’ve read online it’s worth popping into if you’re lucky enough for it to be open. The church is very easy to locate as it sits on the main road of the village, and there are a number of free parking spaces nearby too.
Puente de los Diez Ojos
Sitting directly opposite Iglesia de la Encarnacion is another interesting historical landmark in Benamargosa – Puente de los Diez Ojos (Bridge of the Ten Eyes). I initially thought that this bridge would have a creepy story to go along with it, but it actually gets its name from the 10 arches that span the length of the bridge. This is an important symbol of the village, as its construction allowed the farmers to freely access the fields with their subtropical plants growing in them, even during floods.
This may not be one of the most exciting things to see in Benamargosa, but it’s something! If you’re planning on continuing along the Ruta de la Pasa, you’ll cross this bridge as you make your way to the next white village in the Axarquia region.
Arco de la Huerta
Another important historical site to see in Benamargosa, almost directly next to Puente de los Diez Ojos, is the Arco de la Huerta. No one quite knows when it was constructed. It would have aided farmers in supplying water to their nearby crops by carrying the water along the top of it, acting like an aqueduct. Only part of this wall now remains, but it’s a testament to the importance of farming in the region. The arch itself is actually very low – so watch your head if you plan on walking under it.
Ermita de San Sebastian
The Ermita de San Sebastian takes a bit of an uphill walk to get to (which is a bit tougher if you visit midday because of the heat). Although it’s only very small, it’s considered to be one of the main things to see in Benamargosa due to its religious importance within the village.
Every year on January 20th there’s a festival dedicated to the patron saint of the village, San Sebastian, which is filled with music and a lot of food. Once you make it to the Ermita de San Sebastian, there’s a little bench next to the Virgen de Purisima, which you’ll be quite glad of.
Drive the Ruta de la Pasa
Since there aren’t too many things to see in Benamargosa, you only need to spend a short time here to see everything. I would recommend taking a stroll through some of its streets if you have some extra time though, as some of the them are quite picturesque. Once you’ve finished in Benamargosa, there are a couple of other nearby white villages such as El Borge and Comares, that are both along the Ruta de la Pasa.
It’s a fantastic driving route in Spain, especially if you have nice weather, and it’s a great option for a road trip from Malaga too. If you’re visiting Benamargosa as part of the Route of the Sun and the Avocado, you’ll definitely enjoy the Route of the Raisin as it passes by even more inland white villages in the Axarquia region of Malaga.
There are an abundance of white villages in southern Spain to choose from, but many of the smaller, more secluded ones are often overlooked. Sure, there may not be many things to see in Benamargosa in terms of tourist attractions, but it’s still a beautiful pueblo blanco to make a short stop at. Visiting it is a good way to learn more about this region of Malaga too.
Do you know of any unique and off the beaten path day trips from Malaga to go on? I’m always looking for new places to visit in southern Spain, so I would love to hear from you in the comments section below. You can also get in touch with me on Instagram and keep up to date with my latest travels there!
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