Álora
is at the halfway point on the road from the coast to the interior provinces of Malaga. Surrounded by mountains which descend towards the sea and nestling at the foot of the Sierra del Hacho, it lies in
the north of the Málaga river valley, 37km
from the provincial capital and 590m above
sea level. Malaga airport is 40 minutes away,
as are the coastal resorts and famous golf
courses of the Costa del Sol.
The area has a colourful history with the
Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths, Arabs and
others leaving their mark on these lands.
Their influence can be seen all around, particularly
in the architecture of the towns and villages.
In Álora, the Castle, which has been declared
a national monument, has in its interior
a unique horseshoe arch.
Alora celebrates many traditional festivals
throughout the year, the most important being
Semana Santa (Easter), Feria Real Romeria
de la Virgen de Flores (Annual Summer
Fair) and the Festival de Cante Flamenco
(Festival of vibrant flamenco music).
Álora is at the heart of this beautiful area which includes the nature reserve at El Chorro, home to several endangered species and the breathtaking El Camino del Rey (King’s Path) which clings 150m up the side of the mountain before winding its way through to the dam above the lakes with their outstanding panorama of pine forests around the blue waters.
The whole area offers
wonderful opportunities for relaxation,
walking, and photography, as well as a wide
range of more active pursuits such
as biking, climbing, riding and water sports.
The Parque Natural de Ardales, El Torcal
de Antequerra, the Sierra de las Nieves and
numerous picturesque villages, all add to
the endless attractions, which with the beauty
of the scenery, the ideal climate and the
hospitality of the people will enchant visitors.
On a practical note, Alora has a population
of c15, 000 and is well provided with shops,
restaurants and schools. It has a vibrant
mix of nationalities and a thriving network
of informal clubs and meeting places, which
provide an excellent support system for new
arrivals.
Malaga and the coastal area are easily accessible
by car, rail and bus and offer a number of
large Supermarkets, which not only sell a
fantastic variety of Spanish and international
produce, but all of the goods you would find
in the English equivalent. Malaga also has
a number of private schools, for those who
wish, and a first class university.