Alora, a hidden gem tucked away from the tourist trail of Andalusia

Alora is a picturesque village located 40 kilometers north of Málaga, which can be spotted from the route leading from Málaga to Antequera. From afar, it presents itself as a typical pueblo blanco, 'white town,' nestled between three rocky hills. At the top of one of them, you'll find the ruins of a castle with an intriguing history...

The history of Alora

The history of Alora dates back to prehistoric times, as evidenced by archaeological findings in the area. Discoveries of cave paintings in the Cueva de Doña Trinidad Grund 👈🏻 (this is a great spot), located approximately 12 kilometers from the town center, as well as Neolithic axes at the site of Hoyo del Conde, just a kilometer away from Alora, attest to the long history of settlement in this region.

The name "Iluro", as Alora was formerly called, is associated with an ancient people whom Herodotus referred to as the Tartessians (about the ancient, mysterious civilization of Tartessos 👈🏻 living in Andalusia, I will write soon, because it's crazy interesting...) & Turdetans.

The Phoenicians, an ancient merchant people, noticed the potential of this valley, which prompted them to establish a settlement and build the foundations of a castle. Over time, the fortress became one of Alora's most distinctive landmarks.

In later centuries, on the ruins of Phoenician settlements, the Romans began working extensively to expand and fortify the city, enabling it to survive subsequent invasions.

The most significant period in the area's history is the time of Arab rule. The Roman ruins were rebuilt into the Alcazaba - a majestic residence and fortress.

Arab architecture and engineering gave Alora a unique character that has been preserved to this day, making the city very attractive to lovers of history and architecture.

In 1484 the Catholic monarchs were the ones who undertook the final conquest of Granada, capturing Alora and incorporating it into the kingdom.

Interestingly: between 1587 and 1593, Alora was often visited and inhabited by the famous Cervantes, who was in charge of tax collection during this period...

In 1628, Alora was separated from Malaga by a deed signed by Felipe IV, the original of which is preserved in the Municipal Archives. The document ends by stating that Alora was separated "forever..."

The beginning of the twentieth century was a challenging period. In particular, the years 1903 and 1904 went down in history as a period of hunger. In the decade 1910-1920, the first wave of emigration of the city's residents began, primarily to Argentina. During this time, the conflicts taking place in Cuba in 1898, and in Africa in 1921, brought grief to many families in Alora.

The 1940s and 1950s were a period of attempted revitalization and modernization of the area. Despite the changes, unfortunately, it was not possible to stop the next wave of emigration, which in the 1960s moved towards Germany, Australia and Switzerland.

Today's Alora hopes to grow and is trying to establish itself on the tourist map of Andalusia.

What to see in Alora

We started our tour from a large parking area and heading to the center we passed a monument commemorating Alora as the birthplace of "flamenco malagueño" singing.

The center can get quite bustling, as the main street sees heavy traffic. We weren't expecting such a dynamic atmosphere in what appeared to be a quaint village from afar. It's worth exploring the steep slopes and charming cobbled streets. As you pass small intersections, glimpses of the Guadalhorce Valley and the towering mountains surrounding it emerge from behind the buildings. One of the iconic features of the area is the ⛰️ Monte Hacho with a cross at its summit. Taking the Ruta Jurásica Monte Hacho trail is a must (that's how the route goes, check out the photos 👉🏻 CLICK).

The whitewashed facades of Andalusian buildings, citrus trees in gardens along the streets that lead to the plaza at the lowest level, which is dominated by an impressive 17th century church, La Encarnación, built on the site of a former mosque.

It is impossible to get lost here, as striking directional signs lead to the most important sights.

Climbing up to the castle, you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the Guadalhorce River Valley.

Monday is market day, then the town is bustling with traders and shoppers from the area. Alora's economy is based on agriculture, especially the cultivation of tropical fruits, olives and vines.

• Molino Bachiller y Aljibe Árabe - remnants of an Arab mill
• Mirador Arroyo Hondo, Mirador de Cervantes - there are several viewpoints in the town
• Museo Municipal Rafael Leria - town museum
• Ayuntamiento de Álora - The square next to the city office, a tiny center, a great opportunity to have a nice chat with seniors, who on benches are warming themselves in the sunshine...

Gastronomy

Alora's cuisine uses traditional Mediterranean ingredients such as olives, almonds and citrus fruits. Among the local specialties worth trying sopa porota, a dish based on garlic broth with croutons, and revuelto - scrambled eggs with spring onions and vegetables.

Several recommendable restaurants:

• Restaurante Casa Abilio
• There are several bars in the main square
• For those who appreciate good wine, it's worth looking into Bodegas Pérez Hidalgo

Crafts & Festivals

Alora is renowned for its handmade castanets, one of the most typical instruments used in the traditional verdiales dance. The main festivities in Alora include the annual flamenco festival in June, as well as the Romería de la Virgen de las Flores in mid-September, one of the best places to experience firsthand the traditional verdiales, which are flamenco dances and songs performed by local musical groups.

How to get to Alora

🔹 By bus from Málaga: CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULE

🔹 By train from the station in the center of Málaga, Line C2: CLICK HERE FOR SCHEDULE

I strongly recommend visiting Alora. This place is not at all as peaceful as described Istan _ Ojen, which can be called charming white villages. Alora offers all the facilities you may need during your stay ... in my opinion, it is very authentic... I was pleased that in winter, during the holiday season, we were among the few tourists who visited the center I had the impression that we were the only ones, which is unusual, given that in the more popular Andalusian tourist destinations crowds overflow the narrow streets, chasing to get a pass on all the attractions... Not far away is the famous Caminito del Rey, so it is worth combining the exploration of the scenic route of the King with a visit to Alora...