THE REGION
Velez-Malaga is located in the perfect holiday location for exploring this beautiful region of Andalucia, with it’s stunning mountains, beautiful coastline, the inland white villages and national parks, all within a short walk, tram-ride or car trip. Walk out of the hotel and explore the historic town of Velez-Malaga, or take the new high-speed tram to the lovely coastal town of Torre Del Mar and it’s 4km long sandy beaches with beach restaurants serving the locally caught fish delicacies and barbequed sardines. Alternatively, hop off the tram en-route and spend a family day at the huge Water Park.
Take the bus to the lovely marina at La Caleta de Velez, and eat at the pontoon edge restaurants. Alternatively, hop on your mountain bike, or put on your walking boots and go and explore the wonderful countryside and the mountain range of the Sierra de Tejeda, with it’s peak at 2,000 metres, all snow capped during the winter months, with stunning views over the national park, the mountain range of the sierra Nevada in Granada and the vast expanse of the Mediterranean coastline.
Within ˝ an hour’s drive you could visit the world heritage site of the Nerja Caves, a stunning ‘cathedral’ of caves discovered in the 1950’s, or you could be shopping and dining in the cosmopolitan, beautiful city of Malaga, recently described as the most ‘undiscovered and under-rated’ city in the whole of Spain. Explore inland and visit some of the mountainside white villages like Frigliana, Colmenar and Competa.
Travel slightly further away, and within an hour you can be mixing with the jet-set in Marbella and Puerta Banus, or relaxing in the natural spa baths of Alhama de Granada, or visiting the stunning town of Ronda. Add to this, that within 2 hours drive or so you could be walking around the Alhambra Palace in Granada, visiting the stunning cities of Cordoba and Sevilla, exploring the British enclave of Gibraltar or skiing on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada.
ABOUT VELEZ-MALAGA
Velez-Malaga is the capital of the Axarquia district in the province of Malaga, Andalucia. It is a bustling market town, part of the ‘Real Spain’, and is located 4km inland from the coastal resort of Torre Del Mar. In 2006, a new fast-speed tram link was opened between the 2 towns, so that now one can enjoy the atmosphere, culture and serenity of an historic Spanish town combined with a traditional sun, sea and sand holiday, without having to drive a car. We believe this to be the perfect match. Velez has many restaurants and bars within easy walking distance of the hotel where you can try a variety of local, national and international cuisine.
Velez-Malaga, often simply referred to as Velez, is surrounded by sub-tropical vegetation and is an important agricultural region renowned for its strawberries, grape vines, olives, sugar cane and vegetables. Some of the best olive oils are made here, as well as the production of muscatel grapes from which the famous Malaga wines are made.
Velez is a working town with a vast array of interesting architecture and buildings. The origins go back to the Phoenicians and the Carthaginians, from which many important archaeological remains have been discovered. The town was also important in both Roman times, when it was known as ‘Menoba’ and in Moorish times when as ‘Ballax-Malaca’ ( Fortress of Malaga ) it had an important role in subduing what has always been a turbulent region. In 1487, the Moors were finally ejected by King Ferdinand and the Christian flag was raised on the castle’s battlements. There was a Moorish uprising between 1560 – 1569 but they were finally defeated and their lands and properties shared out amongst the Christian landowners. However, the Moors left behind a rich culture of architecture and tradition, and the town is littered with fine examples of 16th and 17th century palaces, all derived from, and inspired by, the Moorish heritage of years before.
The oldest part of town, known as Arrabel de San Sebastian, is a picturesque area of narrow streets and white washed houses which is overlooked by the 13th Century castle. This has been restored and commands fantastic views over the surrounding countryside, mountains and the coast.
Some of the most interesting sightseeing tours of the town would take in the following:
- Fortaleza – the 13th Century Castle with it’s 16 metre tower.
- Palacio de los Marquises de Beniel – a superb palace, restored and now a municipal building, built in the Mudejar style
- Hospital of San Marcos – founded in 1487 by catholic monarchs
- Four convents and monasteries of architectural merit – San Francisco, Santa Clara, Sant Jose and Las Carmelitos
- Iglesia de Santa Maria la Mayor – 16th Century Church in Mudejar style, formerly a mosque during the Arab times
- Iglesia de San Juan Bautista – 15th Century Church, interesting for it’s late gothic architecture and superbly naturalistic sculpture Cristo Crucificado by Pedro de Mena
- Casa de Cervantes – a superb 16th Century building, now a language school, where the author of Quixote used to stay when visiting Velez
- Museo de Semana Santa – a museum dedicated to the religious festivals of Easter.
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