The best cycling routes around Almáchar

Entrance to the town of Triana

In Alfarnate, La Venta de Alfarnate dates back to the 13th century, and is considered the oldest in Andalusia. Due to the numerous stories and legends surrounding it, it is considered a true popular monument, and it is not for nothing that it now houses the Museum of Andalusian Banditry. All kinds of people and all social classes have passed through here: muleteers, black marketeers, bandits, even King Alfonso XIII and Saint Joseph of Calasanz, not to mention artists, painters, and more. La Venta de Alfarnate remains faithful to its principles, its mystery, and its romantic magic. Its cuisine is fundamentally based on Andalusian mountain and country cuisine, with notable dishes including Alfarnate crumbs, eggs a lo bestia (roasted eggs), garlic goat, fried lamb blood sausage with tomatoes, and scrambled eggs with anise porridge.

The 9.6-meter-high old lighthouse, built in 1929, and the new, approximately 24.7-meter-high lighthouse, built in 1974, are still in operation. It is located directly on the promenade and is visible from afar. Its automatic signal has a range of approximately 13 nautical miles. Inside, 106 steps of an iron staircase lead up to the top. The small, 9-meter-high lighthouse, which stands next to the new "large" one, was built in 1969 but did not meet modern requirements.

The Playa de Torre del Mar is a beautiful, spacious beach, with a wide promenade and many chiringuitos where you can take a break and enjoy the sea view. The Paseo Marítimo de Torre del Mar is very well developed, relatively wide and ideal for cyclists and pedestrians. There is a designated cycle path that stretches along the coast, so you can cycle along the sea in a relaxed manner.

The Alcazaba fortress of Vélez-Málaga is a historic Moorish fortress located on a hill overlooking the town. Built in the 9th century during Muslim rule, it was extended and rebuilt in the 14th and 15th centuries and served as a defensive structure. It became one of the most important citadels of the Kingdom of Granada. Today, little remains of the former fortress remain, but the Torre del Homenaje, the fortress's main tower, still stands and offers great views of Vélez-Málaga and the surrounding Axarquía countryside. The fortress is a worthwhile destination, and is particularly beautiful to visit in the evening when the town is bathed in warm light.

Playa de Varadero is located at the western end of the Torre del Mar seafront, near the mouth of the Vélez River. A special feature of Playa de Varadero is the regular presence of jábegas, traditional Andalusian fishing boats, which can often be seen along the coast. Overall, the stretch of beach is a lovely destination for anyone looking to spend a relaxing day by the sea in an authentic atmosphere.

The name “Puente Don Manuel” refers to the bridge that spans the Río de Alcaucín. The town of Puente Don Manuel is a small hamlet in the municipality of Alcaucín. If you want to get there, you have to cross the bridge and go through the town, then turn left at the church towards the mountains. The settlement is about forty kilometres from Málaga and fourteen kilometres from the coast.

The Ermita de Jesús en el Calvario is a historic chapel in the area of Puente de Don Manuel, a district of the municipality of Alcaucín. The chapel was built in the mid-17th century and served as a religious retreat for the local population. It is an example of the religious architecture of the period and reflects the deep spiritual connection of the municipality. Puente de Don Manuel itself is known for its strategic location as a crossroads between the coast and the surrounding villages such as Periana, Alcaucín and Zafarraya. For visitors interested in history and culture, the area around Puente de Don Manuel and Alcaucín offers numerous opportunities for exploring by bike.