Antequera is a hidden gem of the Malaga province, in Southern Spain. With a name that means “Ancient City”, this pueblo blanco is famous for its historical monuments – some of which date back to the Bronze Age. From the Antequera Dolmens to El Torcal to the Peña de los Enamorados, discover the 11 BEST things to do in Antequera, Spain!
Back in the 16th century, Antequera was one of Andalusia’s most important cities for its great commercial activity. This is because it regulated the traffic of goods between Seville-Granada and Malaga-Cordoba. Due to its central location between these four cities, Antequera’s nickname is the “Heart of Andalusia”.
This beautiful village has one UNESCO World Heritage site composed of three megalithic monuments and two natural monuments. The three megalithic monuments are the Menga and Viera Dolmens and the Tholos of El Romeral. The two natural monuments are La Peña de los Enamorados and El Torcal – all of which are landmarks within Antequera. The Antequera Dolmens site is one of the most important examples of European Megalithism.
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Here are the Best Things to Do in Antequera, Spain!👇
Antequera has something for everyone – from hikers to historians, foodies, and more.
1. Alcazaba
This is an urban fortress that dates back to the 12th century, if not earlier, and is believed to have been constructed over Roman ruins. The Nasrid dynasty built this fortress to protect the region against Christian soldiers.
The Alcazaba sits atop a hill and once served as a strategic position allowing the Moors to oversee Antequera’s surroundings. Now when you visit, not only will you walk through history, but you will also enjoy the most magical views overlooking Antequera!
Visiting Alcazaba
An average visit lasts around 1.5 hours, and the entry ticket includes entry to the Real Colegiata de Santa María. On Tuesdays, from 14:00 to 18:00 (2 pm to 6 pm), you can enter the Alcazaba for free. If there is a holiday, that free day will be valid for the following day.
2. El Torcal (Hiking Lovers!)
This is part of the Antequera Dolmens UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most recognized and visited sites of Antequera. El Torcal is famous for its mesmerizing karstic landscape made of limestone.
*Prepare your mind for some INSANE information*… this formation comes from a process of several 100 MILLION YEARS!🤯
Around 200 million years ago, Europe and the Middle East were submerged under the Tethys Sea. This is when the process of carbonated sedimentation began. When the relief emerged, the prolonged action of meteorological agents on the limestone, formed today’s mesmerizing karst landscape.
Visiting El Torcal
This natural park has a network of trails that are for public use – they are accessible, free of charge, and prior booking is not required. The park offers guided tours conducted by professional guides who specialize in El Torcal and its natural landscape and unmarked paths. These tours are available to both individuals and groups.
The Natural Park has two short accessible paths that are wheelchair friendly. These two trails are the Mirador de as Ventanillas, which is 100 meters, and the Tornillo Natural Monument, which is 400 meters. If you have an infant, the Visitors Center offers rentable baby backpacks if needed.
If you are traveling with a pet, they are welcome as long as they are on a leash!
3. Antequera Dolmens (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
As mentioned earlier, this is one of the best examples of European Megalithisms and has five monuments composing it. The Antequera Dolmens are described as a “legacy of incalculable value” for Antequera.
About Dolmen de Menga
The three megalithic monuments are the Dolmen de Menga, Dolmen de Viera, and El Tholos del Romeral. The Dolmen de Menga is the oldest Dolmen and is about 6000 years old – dating back to the Neolithic Period and Bronze Age. Due to its grandness and enormous slabs on its walls, this is the most spectacular Dolmen of the three. To share a fun fact, the Dolmen de Menga has an estimated weight of 180 tons. This dolmen’s orientation looks at the beautiful Peña de los Enamorados.
About Dolmen de Viera
Sitting barely 50 meters near the Dolmen de Menga, the Dolmen de Viera is the only Dolmen oriented to an astronomical event. This Dolmen’s construction dates back to the early and mid 3000s BC and its original name was Cueva Chica. The Dolmen de Viera is a lot smaller than the Dolmen de Menga, hence the Cueva Chica “Small Cave” name. Now it is known as the Dolmen de Viera in honor of the Viera brothers who discovered it.
About Dolmen del Romeral / Tholos of El Romeral
Lastly is the most modern Dolmen of the three, the Dolmen del Romeral. This Dolmen dates back to between 3000 and 2200 BC. Similarly to the Dolmen de Menga, this Dolmen has a geographical link. Its uniqueness is in the design of the dome by approximation of the orthostats rows and the “blankets” forming the wall.
Visiting the Antequera Dolmens
To visit the Antequera Dolmens, check out these Get Your Guide experiences below. If you do not have transportation available, one is a day trip from Malaga and the other from Granada.
4. Roman Therms
Located in the historic center of Antequera is the first solid proof of Antikaria’s, the Roman city, location. These thermal baths were in operation from the second half of the 1st century until the late 5th-century a.C. (Turismo Antequera). These Roman therms were composed of different thermal atmospheres, including cool, warm, and hot.
These Roman baths can be seen from the Royal Collegiate Church of Santa Maria, hence them being also known as the Roman Thermae of Santa Maria and St. Mary’s Roman Baths.
5. Stroll Around the Old Town
One of my best tips is to always leave room to go with the flow and stroll around your destination’s city, or town. Let yourself get lost and dive deeper on your own terms.
The old town of Antequera, which has a history of almost 5,000 years, is nothing short of picturesque and magical. This medieval town has beautiful beige-stone architecture, is a pueblo blanco, and is surrounded by an insanely beautiful nature landscape. Long story short, this is one of the most picturesque Andalusian villages.
6. Visit the Royal Collegiate Church of Santa Maria
Dating back to 1514, this is the FIRST Renaissance-style church built in Andalusia! This beautiful building is made entirely of ashlar stone, some of which come from the Roman city of Singilia. Looking at the perfectly structured façade, you can see that there are three buttresses, the central one being the greatest.
The Royal Collegiate Church of Santa Maria is not a place dedicated to worship anymore, which is why the interior is empty of altarpieces and religious, ornamental elements. This building is now used to mainly host traveling exhibitions and concerts.
7. Walk under the Arco de los Gigantes
Arcos de los Gigantes, also known as Gates of Heaven, is a gorgeous Renaissance arch dating back to 1585 that was built in honor of King Philip II. The constructors of this gate used “Roman masonry with sculptures and inscriptions rescued from the Roman town” (Andalucia).
Three Other Gates to Visit
Apart from Arco de los Gigantes, Antequera has three other gates to check out: Puerta de Malaga, Puerta de Estepa, and Puerta de Granada.
8. Admire the village from the Mirador de las Almenillas
Take in some of the most beautiful views of Antequera’s pueblo blanco from this viewpoint – Mirador de las Almenillas.
9. Admire La Peña de los Enamorados
La Peña de los Enamorados, “The Lovers’ Rock”, is one of the five monuments that make up the Antequera Dolmens. This “rock” has a few different legends, all of which share a similar tragic, love story with Romeo and Juliet. One version of the legend is that a Christian knight was captured by the Moor military to work as a slave. The Christian knight fell in love with his master’s daughter, and she reciprocated. When the master learned about their secret love and fleeing, he sent out his military to run after them. To stay together for eternity, the couple jumped off the cliff.
Something peculiar about this rock is that if you look closely, both sides have facial features – one has male facial features, and the other side has female facial features. This side has the male features – do you see it? If so, let me know in the comments!😆
10. Eat the food
Antequera is famous for its desserts, especially puddings, and soups called Porras. Its famous puddings are the Bienmesabe, “tastes good to me”, and the Angelorum. Bienmesabe is a sponge-based pudding with cinnamon and almonds. The Angelorum is a concoction of sponge cake, egg yolk, and meringue. One famous soup is the Porra Antequerana, which essentially is a thicker version of gazpacho.
All in all, you can never go wrong with Andalusian food!
11. Fuente de Piedra + Flamingos (Hiking & Nature Lovers!)
Last but not least, is the Fuente de Piedra and its beautiful, pink-feathered citizens. As Andalusia’s largest lagoon, this is also one of Europe’s most important wetlands. This 13.8 square kilometers reserve is home to a large variety of bird species, including an important colony of greater flamingos.
Visiting Fuente de Piedra
To visit Fuente de Piedra, check out these experiences and guided tours you can take!
Conclusion
Antequera is an incredible hidden gem that is deserving of a visit, even if only as a day trip! As always, take some time to stroll freely and take in the beauty that surrounds you here.
I have to ask…
Which of these 11 things would you do, or visit, first? Let me know in the comments!😊
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Finally, and as always, thank you for being here; I am so glad you are.❤️
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