Rural Tourism in Malaga: Tradition, Mountains, and Authenticity

The Genal Valley, named after the river that originates here (Igualeja), is characterized by its wooded mountains with steep hills. Here, evergreen forests, such as holm oaks, pines, and cork oaks, combine with large extensions of chestnut trees, which give it a distinct personality in autumn, one of the most suitable seasons to get lost in the nooks and crannies of this area.

This is a list of some of the most prominent villages in the valley, which are also among the most interesting for rural tourism in Malaga:

• Igualeja: birthplace of numerous bandits, whose biographies are filled with legend and romance. It preserves charming corners and buildings within its cluster of narrow streets among whitewashed houses. For example, the church of Santa Rosa de Lima or the hermitage of Divino Pastor. But this village has carved out a niche in rural tourism in Malaga for being the birthplace of the Genal River, which gives its name to the most important valley in the Serranía de Ronda
• Parauta: with part of its municipal area in the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park, its landscape blends the grey of rocky hills with the green of pines, holm oaks, and olive trees. This small village of white houses and steep streets offers great peace to visitors. Its main building is the church of La Purísima Concepción, with interesting dressed carvings inside. But for many, the most attractive feature of its municipality is the Pinsapo de las Escaleretas, declared a Natural Monument by the Junta de Andalucía, standing over 25 meters tall and estimated to be over five centuries old.

• Benalauría: a small village hidden in the Genal valley, from whose cluster of houses the bell tower of the church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán stands out. It offers truly charming corners, such as the Plaza del Teniente Viñas. In addition, it has an ethnological museum and another dedicated to the Roman Columbarium Cortijo del Moro, an important archaeological site located within its municipal area.

• Cartajima: in this small village, where time seems to pass more slowly, you can visit the 16th-century church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, wander aimlessly through its intricate streets, and enjoy the panoramic views of its surroundings, especially its Riscos (cliffs).
• Júzcar: this village has become one of the most successful destinations for rural tourism in Malaga. The reason lies in the color of its walls, blue, due to a marketing campaign that changed everything: it was chosen to promote the worldwide premiere of The Smurfs movie, so it swapped the white of whitewash for the hue of these characters’ skin. And it has remained so to this day, by initiative of the residents themselves, despite the fact that due to copyright reasons, no mention can be made of the film. The 16th-century church of Santa Catalina de Siena is the most prominent building in this municipality, nestled on the hillside of the hill it sits upon. It also has a Mycological Museum. In the surrounding landscape, green all year round with reddish and yellowish nuances in autumn, cliffs and whimsical geological formations dominate, including the Sima del Diablo, for rappelling.
• Alpandeire: a small village with an Arab-Andalusian layout, it was home to such disparate figures as the bandit Barbarán and the Capuchin almsgiver Fray Leopoldo de Alpandeire, beatified by Pope Benedict XVI. The 18th-century church of San Antonio de Padua preserves the font in which this blessed man was baptized. Its humble urban core consists of labyrinthine and steep white streets.
• Pujerra: this village is nestled among chestnut trees on a hillside in the heart of Alto Genal, which gives its surroundings a pleasant green color for much of the year and a magical explosion of orange tones in autumn. According to tradition, the Visigothic king Wamba was born here in the 7th century, to whom a sculpture is dedicated in the Placilla Vieja. The church of Santo Espíritu is the most prominent in the village, whose surroundings are a paradise for hikers.
• Benarrabá: another essential destination for lovers of rural tourism in Malaga, as it offers attractions both within and outside its urban area. Inside, the church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, in a classicist Baroque style, and the hermitage of Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz stand out. And in its surroundings, the trails through the surrounding mountains are numerous and well-marked.
• Jubrique: this humble white village sits on the hillside of a wooded and beautiful hill. From the Mirador del Peñón Encantado, you can enjoy spectacular views, which will delight those who choose this municipality for rural tourism in Malaga. Its most important monument is the church of San Francisco de Asís, although many come in search of its chestnuts, the fruit of the most abundant tree in its landscape and key to its economy.
• Genalguacil: the octagonal tower of its church of San Pedro de Verona is one of the most characteristic elements of its white village, which contrasts with the intense green of the surrounding nature. Among the villages that form the circuit of rural tourism in Malaga, this is one of the best in terms of artistic offerings, as it boasts a Museum of Contemporary Art. Among its most notable excursions is that to the Reales de Sierra Bermeja, where it is easy to observe birds of prey in the skies.
• Gaucín: whitewashed and spread out on the hillside of a nearly 700-meter hill. On the steep summit of the hill, the ruins of the Castillo del Águila (Eagle’s Castle) stand out, from which not only the Genal valley is dominated, but also Gibraltar and the African coast can be seen. Built during Islamic rule, it was also important in more recent periods: it was taken by French troops during the War of Independence. Other places of interest in its municipal area include the hermitage of Santo Niño and the Charca Pontoco. It is also a highly appreciated spot by climbers thanks to its via ferratas, by birdwatching enthusiasts, and by lovers of equestrian routes.