Marbella to Antequera and Archidona: Private day trip

Inhabited since antiquity, Roman, Moorish, and Spanish influences have left the town with a rich tapestry of architectural gems. The city is home to over 30 churches, all with opulent interiors. A journey up to the 3rd century citadel rewards explorers with spectacular views of the town, and is the best place to see the remains of the Roman baths, while the optional audio-guide brings the fortress’s long history to life. For visitors who yearn for natural wonders, the Torcal National Park is un-missable, with its unique rock formations flecked with fossils. Not quite as old as the fossils, the 5000 year old Dolmens just outside of town have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 30-meter-long Menga Dolmen is the largest in Europe, and offers visitors the chance to experience one of the most outstanding examples of megalithic architecture in the world.

In the foothills of the Sierra de Garcia mountains sits the tranquil village of Archidona. The economy of this region depends, to a large extent, on the olive groves that surround it, which yield a very high quality of olive oil. Places of interest in Archidona include the Moorish Castle, a once-impenetrable fortress; the Hermitage of La Virgen de Garcis, built on the site of an Arabic Mosque; and the Santa Ana Church, the first church built in the area in the 16th century. After an exciting afternoon of sightseeing, rest your feet and grab a bite at one of the many restaurants in the city’s Plaza Ochavada, a unique octagonal plaza built in the 18th century in French style.