Inmobiliaria La Maroma, Real Estate, properties in Málaga, Spain, Costa del Sol

Villas and Towns in the Axarquía

Alcaucín

Population: 2.000 Altitude: 510m
This pretty white village is less than ten minutes from Lake Viñuela, and is close to the distinctive U shaped Sierra Tejeda mountain pass of El Boquete de Zafarraya, through which the old Málaga-Granada highway runs. Near the village we can still explore the remains of the Phoenecian Castillo de Zália. The village itself has a variety of services including supermarkets, banks, restaurants, bars, a pharmacy and a municipal swimming pool. There is also a primary school which has English tutors, and a bus service to the coast at Torre del Mar, just 20 minutes away. This village is very popular with expatriates due to its friendly atmosphere and picturesque location. Venta Baja and Venta Alta are two popular hamlets of Alcaucín, situated in the Alcaucín valley, just 5 minutes from Puente don Manuel.

Alfarnatejo/ Alfarnate

These small white villages are just a couple of miles apart and are reached by continuing on the road past Periana for a further 20 minutes or so. The landscape in this area is quite unusual, with large boulders dotted between the expansive olive groves. The population of these villages is low and predominantly Spanish farmers, however they are becoming more and more popular amongst expatriates contemplating a more rural lifestyle.

Periana

Population: 3.700 Altitude: 547m
This attractive village is nestled into the hillside, surrounded by rolling hills which fall down to the river Guaro. Completely rebuilt following an earthquake in 1884, Periana still has a working olive mill, and it is said that peaches from Periana are the best in Spain, hence the annual peach fiesta in September. Up until the 19th century, the Moorish baths at Periana continued to be used for medicinal purposes. Indeed, the fountain in the Plaza de la Fuente in the centre of the village provides public drinking water, but up to just a few years ago, the local village woman would use it to wash their clothes! The local church Iglesia San Isidro Labrador is built in the “mudejar”style and is worth a visit. Village amenities include a 24hr medical centre, a primary school, supermarkets, banks and restaurants. The drive up to Periana is very beautiful, offering panoramic views of Lake Viñuela and mountains.

Lake Viñuela

Lake Viñuela is a stunning fresh water reservoir, which has the largest capacity of any “lake” in Málaga province. In previous years, Lake Viñuela has had the highest water level of any lake in Andalucia, and it provides the backdrop for some of the most spectacular views that inland Spain has to offer. The surrounding mountains are dotted with pretty white villages, and the sunsets here are incredible. The area around the lake has been deemed a protected area to try and preserve its natural beauty. Watersports are available on the lake including fishing and sailing, however motorised boats and equipment are not permitted.

La Viñuela

Population 1.900 Altitude: 131m
This is the white village which gives the lake its name. La Viñuela is sheltered in the Alcaucín valley, surrounded by fields of olives, mangos, avocados and cereals but the name refers to a small vineyard or “viñuela”. This friendly village was founded around an inn in the 17th century but has seen a degree of investment during the last few years which has helped to build a smart new town hall and a childrens´ park. This village also has a lot of history, the 16th century parish church of San Jose still stands in the centre of the village, as does the Hermitage of the Virgen de las Angustias and the 19th century olive mill. La Viñuela is just 20 minutes from the coast at Torre del Mar “, and local amenities include a supermarket, a pharmacy, a medical centre, a school, and a selection of bars and restaurants. Expect to see local farmers selling their wares on the side of the road!

Puente Don Manuel

Altitude: 200m
This hamlet of Alcaucín used to be a resting place for travellers going to and from Granada through the pass at La Boquete de Zafarraya, but during the last ten years or so, it has enjoyed phenomenal growth. Very popular amongst expatriates, Puente Don Manuel is just 20 minutes from the coast at Torre del Mar, and just a couple of minutes from Lake Viñuela. It is currently considered to be hamlet of Alcaucín, but it could be granted village status in the next few years with continued growth. A number of developments have been and are being constructed in this area. Due the high population of expatriates in the surrounding area, local services are varied and concentrated at the Cruce de Periana (Periana Crossroads), including mechanics, beauty salons, furniture shops, a video rental shop, a butchers and a bakery. There are also two shops specialising in British goods, and every Tuesday morning there is an “English Farmers´Market”held at a local restaurant. The La Maroma office is situated at the Cruce de Periana in Puente Don Manuel, on the left hand side, opposite the butchers.

Los Romanes

This small historic village sits high up on the hillside on the western side of Lake Viñuela, overlooking the lake and the Alcaucín valley. Just 20 minutes from the coast at Torre del Mar, this quiet and hospitable village boasts a number of small bars, mini-markets and even a couple of lakeside restaurants serving typical Spanish specialities. Less than ten minutes from Puente Don Manuel and Alcaucín, Los Romanes is very popular amongst those expatriates who really want to mix with the Spanish. Many of the Spaniards who live in Los Romanes still dedicate their time to farming the surrounding fields, so this village has a great deal of rustic charm. It is not unusual to see farmers abseiling down the mountainside in order to tend to their vines, and mules are still used as a form of transport. This side of the lake also offers the best views of Mount Maroma which is why a number of new developments have also been constructed close to the village. There is a bus service to the coast, and also a local taxi service

Nerja

This popular town (also known as ¨Europe´s balcony¨) marks the eastern border of the Axarquía and has become increasingly sought after amongst expatriates. During the summer months, the population of this pretty seaside town swells dramatically due to the massive influx of tourism. The town has all the services you would expect from a tourist resort including a wealth of english speaking restaurants, bars, supermarkets, dentists and medical centres. It could be considered a disadvantage of all this investment that to a certain extent, Nerja has lost its Spanish charm and property prices have increased considerably over the past fdw years.. However, there is still a lot to do and see in Nerja, including the internationally acclaimed annual Music and Dance Festival in July, the beautiful Iglesia del Salvador and the stunning Nerja Caves which house the largest stalactite in the world and is where archaelogical remains have been found dating from the Paleolithic Age. Nerja is just 40 miles from Málaga, and 30 minutes from Puente don Manuel.

Torre del Mar

Torre del Mar is a coastal resort which during the summer months benefits greatly from internal tourism, which can swell the population tenfold. Like Vélez Málaga, Torre del Mar offers all the services you would expect, such as shops, banks, health centres and dentists. However Torre del Mar also has a newly refurbished promenade lined with bars, restaurants and icecream parlours and in the summer months, the sea front will be packed with people out for an evening stroll and a spot of tapas. In Torre del Mar you´ll find some of the best sea food restaurants on the Costa del Sol, and also a selection of international restaurants including Chinese, Mexican, Indian and Italian.

Vélez Málaga

Population: 25.000 Home of the Moscatel grape, this lovely modern town is just 2 miles from the coast at Torre del Mar and is surrounded by fields of sugar cane, tomato, custard apples and avocados. Dominating the town are the damaged remains of Castillo Vélez, a Moorish castle which centuries ago was the defensive stronghold of this area, as Vélez Málaga was the administrative capital. This town has all the amenities you could wish for, including a variety of shops, dentists, supermarkets, restaurants, bars and banks. There is also a daily vegetable market selling locally grown produce and you will be pleasantly surprised at the low prices. Vélez Málaga is certainly worth exploring by foot, and once immersed in the narrow winding streets, you will find that every turn reveals another surprise, from a decorative fountain to a Moorish courtyard. Vélez Málaga is also home to El Ingenio, a shopping complex which houses some of the big brand names as well as a bowling alley and a cinema that shows films in English.