Canillas de Aceituno clings to the southern flank of the Sierra Tejeda, high enough that from the edge of the village you look out over the whole valley and, in clear weather, catch the sea glinting in the distance. Its Moorish past is still easy to read: the layout is a tangle of steep alleys wrapped around the slope, with white houses stacked in steps above one another. For walkers, anyone who likes being outdoors and anyone who likes eating well, this is one of the most enjoyable villages in the Axarquía.
The village itself
The centre is small but full of character. You walk from one little square to the next, past old fountains and water troughs, and from almost every corner there is a view. There are a handful of bars where villagers meet, a shop or two, and an easy atmosphere that holds even when summer brings more people. The altitude also means August stays bearable here, which is not always something you can say on the coast.
Canillas is known across the area for its cooking. The local sausage and the morcilla are praised well beyond the village, and the dishes you get in the bars are the honest, substantial food of inland Andalusia. The annual festival built around the morcilla draws visitors from the whole surrounding area.
Walking in the natural park
For walkers this is one of the best bases in the region. Routes lead from the village straight into the Sierra Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama natural park, from short loops to serious mountain days. The best known route runs through the Almanchares gorge, with a suspension bridge along the way that gives you pause at the time and makes a good story afterwards. The ambitious climb on from here to La Maroma.
The landscape is unspoilt and changes sharply with the seasons. In winter and early spring everything is green and the streams are running; in summer it is drier and you go out early. Always take more water than you think you need, because shade is scarce higher up.
The surrounding area
From Canillas you are quickly at the Viñuela lake and at the neighbouring villages of Sedella, Salares and Árchez, which together make the prettiest drive in the area. The beaches at Torre del Mar are about half an hour away, Vélez-Málaga a little closer. Nerja, Frigiliana and the caves make an excellent day trip, and Málaga fits neatly into the journey back to the airport.
Sights and tips
The village is the first sight in its own right, with its Moorish street plan and the remains of the old castle. Take the time to wander through it without a route. The walking in the natural park is the main attraction, with the Almanchares gorge as the crowd pleaser. On the food: try the local sausage, and if you happen to be nearby during the annual village festival, just go. Combine your visit with the drive around the small neighbouring villages and an afternoon at the lake and you will have a good picture of the area within two days.
The mountain roads here are narrow but well kept, and with a car you get from pine woods to beach in half an hour. Without one you are dependent on a limited bus service in this part of the Axarquía. We make sure a car is ready when you arrive. You will find the options on our page about car hire.
Your holiday home in Canillas de Aceituno
For walkers and anyone who likes the real interior, this is an ideal place to settle in. Below is our range for anyone wanting to rent a holiday home in Canillas de Aceituno and the villages around it.
