The village of Canillas de Aceituno is located right at the foot of the imposing mountain peak of La Maroma, in the heart of the Natural Park. A melting pot of cultures have passed through this town, making this village in the Axarquia region an obligatory stop on your visit to the province.
Table of Contents
History of Canillas de Aceituno
Due to its elevated position in the Sierra de Tejeda, this area has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic Age, remains of which have been found in nearby caves. The Iberians also established their settlements in this area, along which they laid out large livestock trails, which served as reinforcement for trade.
Later, during the Punic and Roman occupation, the surrounding area became a major supplier of raw materials. These were mainly metals from a nearby mine and vegetable products such as wine, oil, fruit trees and cane fields, hence the name Cannillae.
During the Muslim period, the town became even more important, both militarily and commercially, and began to produce woven and dyed silk, called azeytuní, which is where the second part of its name comes from.
What to do and see in Canillas de Aceituno
Mountain nature
Canillas de Aceituno is the closest village to the highest peak in the province of Malaga, known as La Maroma, located in the Natural Park of the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama, the latter two in the province of Granada.
From this white village, next to Alcaucín, is the point from which most of the hiking routes start to ascend the mountain formation. River sources, caving, reed beds, deep forests, terraces, steep mountain paths. Everything you can expect from a good immersion in the heart of nature.
Festivals and gastronomy
But it’s not all about the mountains. This small village hides ancient buildings such as the Casa de los Diezmos, in the centre, or the Medieval Cistern at the entrance of the village. In addition, due to its altitude, it enjoys exceptional views, which can be enjoyed before stopping to try some of the most typical dishes of its gastronomy, such as “gachas puercas” (porridge) or homemade sausages. The “morcilla de cebolla” (onion black pudding) made here is excellent.
After such an energetic meal, we recommend a stroll along the beautiful Calle de las Flores. And if you still want to try more traditional dishes, this village makes some magnificent homemade roscos.
In addition, throughout the year a multitude of fairs and popular festivities take place in Canillas de Aceituno, most of them revolving around games and activities, or some of these traditional dishes, such as the Día de la Morcilla in April, or the Romería de San Isidro in May.
How to get to Canillas de Aceituno
How to get there by bus
To get to Canillas de Aceituno by bus you can take one of the two daily routes that leave from Malaga, for around 10 euros. This same route stops in Velez-Malaga, a large town with lots of things to see.
How to get there by car
If you prefer to enjoy the freedom of having your own vehicle, you always have the option of renting a 7-seater car at Malaga airport, and start your visit from there. A common route is to visit the well-known Nerja in the morning, and in the afternoon drive up to the nearby mountain villages, such as Canillas de Aceituno or the picturesque Frigiliana.
Map of Canillas de Aceituno
Don’t miss anything and, of course, don’t get lost yourself in the complex road network of Malaga with the following map that we offer you below, with the most relevant points of this beautiful village.
For more information check the website of the Town Hall of Canillas de Aceituno: https://www.canillasdeaceituno.es/
