CÓMPETA
The traditional white Andalusian village of Cómpeta lies at the foot of the Sierra Tejeda and Almijara mountain ranges, some 15km inland. To reach it from Nerja take the motorway towards Málaga and come off at exit 285 - "Torrox, Cómpeta" , then follow the A-7207 for approximately 15 km until you reach Cómpeta.
Located seven hundred metres above sea level, Cómpeta provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains, countryside and the sea. The old town is made up of a labyrinth of cobbled streets that date back to Moorish times, with the Plaza Almijara at its centre, an ideal place to sit and have a drink or snack at one of the bars or restaurants and watch the world go by. There is an old saying in the village - 'A day without going to the square is a day without living' and it has been the heart of the village for centuries. The square is dominated by the 16th century church La Asunción whose tower is one of the most well-known landmarks in the village.
One of the most popular annual fiestas here is the Noche del Vino (Night of the Wine) on the 15th August which features a programme of flamenco and sevillana music and dance, plus plenty of free-flowing wine. Cómpeta is well-known for its sweet wine produced from the Moscatel grapes that grow in the area.
Cómpeta also makes an ideal base for walking in the Natural Park of the Sierra Tejeda and Almijara mountain ranges. Walking routes are available at the Tourist Office and the bookshops also sell books on the subject.
OTHER WHITE VILLAGES IN THE AXARQUIA REGION
By travelling only about 20 minutes from Nerja along the motorway towards Málaga you reach the regional capital of this mountainous area, Vélez-Málaga. This is a market town well worth a visit with a lively market on Thursday. The limestone mountain range of the Sierra Almijara, part of the immense Sierras of Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park that straddles Malaga and Granada provinces, looms over this strech of coastline, as seen in tthe pretty mountain village of Torrox which is just a 15 minute drive from Nerja. Torrox, known as Torrox Pueblo (Torrox Village), to distinguish it from the seaside resort of Torrox Costa, is well worth a visit. There are a couple of churches and lots of quaint side streets, and the lovely views from the village towards the mountains and the sea complete the picture. The main square also has a number of restaurants/cafeterias where you can sit in the sun and relax and enjoy the tranquility of this small village.
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To the west of the park and about 50km from Nerja is Comares, one of the highest villages in Andalucia and visible for miles around. Perched on the top of a hill some 740 metres above sea level, it affords some stunning views across the majestic landscape, to the coast, lake and mountains. This white village was originally Muslim and it stands out for the traces of its Arabic past and its medieval period. Further inland you will find Colmenar, on the edge of the densely wooded Montes de Malaga Natural Park and named after the numerous beehives (colmenas) that produce the village´s honey.
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