In Villanueva De La Concepción, the landscape of El Torcal, trails of various kinds and a distinctive festival culture meet historic buildings. When planning your trip, it is important to decide what you want to focus on: a hike, the Roman past or a festival featuring music and local traditions.
Landscape and trails around El Torcal
The imposing El Torcal massif shapes the municipality’s landscape. Olive groves, almond trees and cereal fields complete the picture of the surrounding countryside. The nearby natural area of El Torcal de Antequera lies between the city of Antequera and the municipality of Villanueva De La Concepción. It offers opportunities for hiking, cycling and climbing. Available activities and access may change, so check the conditions before making your plans.
To find your way to the Torcal Alto visitor centre, take the A-7075 from Villanueva towards Antequera until you reach the relevant turnoff. Several routes also offer different points of reference: the Sendero de la Escaleruela begins in the town at the Instituto de Educación Secundaria and heads towards El Torcal. A stage of the Camino Mozárabe from Villanueva to Antequera reaches the Puerto de la Escaleruela in El Torcal. The Ruta por los Manantiales del Sur del Torcal, on the other hand, is an unmarked 14.31-kilometre circular hike. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
Verdiales, festivals and local cuisine
The Festival de Verdiales is considered the oldest festival in the province of Málaga and was recognised as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional in 2001. Since 1981, Villanueva De La Concepción has brought together the most important Pandas de Verdiales for the festival. During the event, visitors can join the groups as they move through the town to the rhythm of the Verdiales and sample typical local products. If you want to plan your trip around this experience, check the dates and programme for the relevant year.
Other festivals also bring regional customs together with food and gatherings. The Romería de San Isidro Labrador at Hoyo de la Turca, at the foot of El Torcal, includes a food festival. The programme includes an overnight stay in a tent, a Rocío mass and subsequent flamenco performances; details may change from year to year. Hoyo de la Turca is set up for camping and offers a place to stop for a meal. Check the local conditions of use before planning to stay overnight there.
For Día de San Marcos, traditional hornazos made with bread and egg are prepared, followed by a meal or picnic in the countryside. At the Fiesta del verdeo, also known as “Día de la Haba,” broad beans with oil are sampled in local bars. The bean is promoted as a typical crop of the village of El Torcal.
Roman traces and historic buildings
Cerro del León is also known as Ciudad Romana de Oscua. Preserved remains of the Roman urban complex there include friezes, sandstone blocks and several basins made of opus signinum. Roman ceramic materials recorded at the site date from the 1st to the 6th century AD. A Roman lion sculpture found there is classified as a sepulchral lion with Italic roots, dating from the late Republic or the Augustan period.
Another perspective on the town’s history is offered by the Iglesia Parroquial de Nuestra Señora Inmaculada Concepción. Dating from the late 19th century, it combines a white façade and a small bell gable with a single-nave interior and a Neoclassical altarpiece. Fuente Pareja, meanwhile, was one of 250 chapel schools built by Bishop Herrera Oria; it is situated beside a pond and a spring.
Historic routes also shape the surrounding area. The Camino Real de Carlos III was the former road from Málaga to Madrid and is now used as an agricultural and tourist route. The Puente del Paraíso is considered one of the historic bridges along this route that is relatively well preserved. The Mirador Puente del Horcajo is a bridge dating from 1787 over the Campanillas River, on the former Vía Real. Admission is free, and it is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Check the conditions locally before your visit.
Discover more destinations: San Pedro de Alcántara, Los Llanos de Antequera, Benamargosa, Alozaina, Algarrobo, Casabermeja, Yunquera, Alhaurin De La Torre.
For the main travel overview: Málaga.
