Local shops/amenities
In the village you will find the shops are open until 8 or 9pm and some open on Sunday morning. In the main village square in front of the sixteenth century church is a permanent market with a butcher, fish monger, vegetable stall, bakers with delicious cakes, barbers shop, and “churros”.
There is a Chemist, super markets, doctor, banks, public fax, internet café, post office, locally produced honey, olives, olive oil and goats’ cheese.
Behind the church is a bakers where they still use a log fired oven and there is a visiting market every Thursday. Nearby Antequera is an excellent shopping center with the larger supermarkets open nearly all day. English newspapers are also available.
Antequera also has a historic area with many old palaces and cathedrals and a castle.
As you stroll around the steep streets of the village you will find many more small shops and bars.
Recommended pubs/restaurants
IN THE VILLAGE:
Los Atanores just 2 kms outside the village, is a typical country restaurant or “venta” with a varied menu, serving decent portions and representing very good value for money. Usually open until around eleven or twelve. Can be busy at weekends, especially for weddings and christenings.
Restaurant Nescania just above the bridge. From the patio there is a perfect view overlooking the village and mountains which are partially floodlit at night.
In the bar is the mixed blessing of a large screen T.V. usually showing sport. The side door leads to an open air disco and bar in a very pleasant garden setting.
Bar/Restaurant El Castellejo is a small new restaurant decorated in rustic ochres and terracota and rapidly gaining a reputation for its good service and good food. The owner, Cristobal, has several years catering experience from his time in Switzerland.
For younger adults there are a few “pubs” in the village. (In Spain “pub” usually indicates a bar with subdued lighting and loud music)
El pub de la plaza is near the church. El pub de Castellejo is near the restaurant mentioned above. Comic is at the lower corner of the village and is probably the most lively and also has a dance floor.
Ice Cream and Pizzas. In the street from the main square to the drinking fountain is a recently opened ice cream and pizza parlour in a Morrocan style building.This is very popular with younger people.
Roast Chicken is available at weekends. Turn right after the petrol station, past bar El Pino at the end of the street.
ANTEQUERA FERIA, our favourite by far, is also held in mid August and is an absolute must to visit. There are daytime activities but generally the crowds start to build up after about 10 at night and it is traditional to drink hot chocolate with churros from around 3 in the morning.
RESTAURANTS NEAR THE VILLAGE:
La Rocabella, 6 kms from the village towards El Chorro gorge. Our neighbour, Rafael is the charming English speaking host with an excellent Scottish chef. Wide menu, delightful ambience, delicious food.
Bar El Kiosko, one of the first restaurants you come to on your way around the lakes. Lovely views of the lake.
El Oasis, further around the lake road. Friendly English speaking management, good menu, rustic décor.
Indian Restaurant. At the beginning of the next lake is a well sign-posted, open air, Indian bar and restaurant in the finest setting imaginable. The owner is a Sikh from Croatia !
RESTAURANTS FURTHER AFIELD:
**** Hotel Golf Antequera. 10 minutes wallk from the center of Antequera, this very attractive hotel has a variety of restaurants. Restaurant Plaza de Torros, Antequera. Worth a visit for it’s unusual setting in the walls of the bull ring.
El Mirador, Antequera. A similar standard to Los Atanores in the village. Situated on the road to Antequera after the S bend descent to the town. Be sure to walk through the restaurant to the patio at the rear for a truly magnificent view of Antequera by day or night.
Rio Frio, Loja. This makes a perfect half way stopping place on the return from Granada. (We eat here after skiing in Sierra Nevada, the open fire being very popular !) At Loja take the old Malaga road to Rio Frio and look for the rustic restaurant with the thatch covered patio.
Alhaurin Golf Club Restaurant. Take the road to Alhaurin el Grande. Pass throught the town towards Mijas. Cross the roundabout with the giant lamp-post and see the club house on your right.
Fuengirola. On the coast, just over one hours’ drive from the village, this Costa del Sol town has every type and nationality of restaurant imaginable.
El Tintero, Malaga. Leave the city on the coast road towards Nerja. This restaurant is on the beach just before the sports port of Malaga at El palo.
To enjoy this unusual restaurant, visit with several friends at a busy time. There is no need to order, just wave to a waiter who is carrying a tray of something appetising and he will leave a dish for you. The waiters continually circulate with a variety of fried fish, beer is served by the jug, and when it’s time to pay, they simplly count your dishes and write the price on the cloth. Instant service and fish as fresh as it gets !
Roast Chicken is available at weekends. Turn right after the petrol station, past bar El Pino at the end of the street.
Local activities
Loma la Parra and La Majada Alta are well situated for tours of the local lakes and white villages as well as the famous El Chorro gorge with its hanging walkway and the incredible limestone formations of nearby El Torcal. Day trips to the historic cities of Cordoba, Seville, Granada and Malaga are easy from our central location and the beaches of the Costa del Sol are closer still.
There are local festivals throughout the year, the most famous being the parades at Easter and the “feria” in August. For sports enthusiasts the village is renowned for its hang gliding and parapente facilities with microlighting in Antequera. Horses can be rented locally and there are tennis courts at the municipal sports centre. The new golf course in Antequera now has 18 holes open.
The El Chorro area is recognised as one of the finest climing areas in Andalucia with a huge variety of pitches. Mountain bikes can be hired near El Chorro and wind surfing is allowed on the lakes.
For walkers there is an endless variety of tracks and trails around the house, the village, the sierras, and the areas around El Torcal and El Chorro.
Alternatively just unwind by the pool and listen to the goat bells as the herds graze nearby and marvel at the sight of the Griffin vultures, almost the size of Condors, hunting thermals on the peaks.
Roast Chicken is available at weekends. Turn right after the petrol station, past bar El Pino at the end of the street.