The Route of Sun and Wine

This route also runs between the coast and the interior and, once again, combines cosmopolitanism with the tradition and enchantment of the white villages; the gastronomy is based on fish and the produce of the mountains.

Algarrobo-Costa and Torrox Costa gather together the greater part of the beach tourism on offer, with infrastructures which advance in quality each year, like the recently inaugerated Paseo Maritimo of Torrox. Nevertheless, where tourism is undoubtedly more emphatically developed is in Nerja.

This attractive coastal locality has a rich archaeological and monumental heritage, although without doubt what most attracts ones attention are its world renowned Nerja Caves.

When the route turns in through the interior it runs between towns and villages of an obviously rural flavour, whose common denominator is the steep and narrow lanes with an austere appearance which are a living proof of its ancient Muslim past.

The light, whitewashed walls and flowers complete the beautiful image of each one of these villages.

An example is Frigiliana, a charming location whose Moorish Mudejar town centre has won prizes on various occasions for its excellent state of conservation.

In this area of vineyards it is worth pointing out Canillas de Albaida, whose vines are the most sought after of the region. Also Competa, which celebrates each August its Noche de Vino, or wine night, a magic moment when thousands of people go up to its 636 metre altitude to drink, sing and dance. This year Competa shines with its own light as it celebrates its Jubilee Saint year, being the first Andalucian locality to display this privilege.

But, without doubt, one of the most unusual festivities of the route is the Fiesta del Níspero in Sayalonga, the heartfelt homage of a whole town, to the fruit that gives it its prosperity.