If you’re looking for a charming village in the middle of nature, Colmenar is your ideal destination. Known for its spectacular landscapes, rich gastronomy, and popular festivals, it is located 32km from Malaga and a few more kilometers from the well-known Antequera.
Located between the region of Axarquía and the Montes de Málaga, this town hides a sweet, golden, and brilliant treasure that you cannot miss.
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History of Colmenar
Founded in 1487, Colmenar has a long history dating back to the Roman era. In its municipal area, important archaeological remains have been found that prove the presence of this civilization in the area, such as coins and vessels found in Cortijo de los Moriscos.
During the Muslim era, it was an important agricultural center and producer of wine and honey, hence its name. After the Reconquest, the town passed into Christian hands and underwent several urban transformations.
The name Colmenar comes from the beehives (in Spanish, “colmenas”) of the bees, from which the famous honey was extracted.
In 1937, the Spanish Civil War took place, and Colmenar served as a refuge for hundreds of Republican soldiers. After these sieges, Colmenar has been recovering its essence and is, as we know it today, a town with a lot of history.
What to see and do in Colmenar
Colmenar is a town full of tourist attractions worth visiting. One of its main monuments is the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, which stands out for its baroque decoration typical of the 23rd century style.
One of the most unique places in this town is undoubtedly the Honey Museum. A place to get up close to the process that bees use to make honey, as well as the production and tools they used in ancient times and today.
The museum has a large collection of beehive and bee models on a large scale, a workshop classroom where you can make beeswax candles, observe bees under the microscope, and taste the honey.
There are multiple activities you can do at the Honey Museum, although the most outstanding one is having the possibility to take a guided tour to the bee panels and see the work of beekeepers. The tour lasts 3-4 hours.
Reservation in advance and a minimum of 10 people are required for the guided visit to the beehives.
- Address: C. Pósito, 1, 29170 Colmenar, Málaga
- Price: Museum admission: adults €2.50, reduced admission €1.50, and free for children under 5.
- Hours: Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 2:00pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00am to 2:00pm
- Phone: 952 71 80 30
Nature and hiking
Colmenar is a privileged place for nature and hiking lovers. Surrounded by mountains and spectacular landscapes, it has numerous hiking trails that allow discovering its native fauna and flora. Among them, the Molina route, the Guadalmedina birth route, or the Mesa de Solano route stand out.
The Molina route is one of the most frequented paths in Colmenar since it has a 5.5-kilometer distance and in approximately 2 hours, you will have completed this route where you can take a pleasant walk enjoying the emblematic views of the mountains.
If you are looking for a more challenging way to discover the nature offered by this place, the Chamizo route is the most suitable for you. During the 9-kilometer journey, you will find a great variety of flora and fauna, and this route is characterized by its green fields and diverse landscape.
Popular festivals and gastronomy
The festivals of Colmenar are a true explosion of color and joy. One very popular festival in this town is the Day of the Must and Chacina celebrated in December, where they pay tribute to the typical products of this municipality.
On this day, they welcome their visitors with music performances, flamenco dance and verdiales singing, as well as a tapas route to enjoy their local products.
On May 3rd, Colmenar celebrates the “Day of the Pipa”. On this special date, family and friends gather every year to go out to the countryside and taste typical dishes of the area, including the unique “hornazos”. These particular “hornazos” consist of a bread roll baked with a hard-boiled egg inside.
The gastronomy of Colmenar is another of its great attractions and, of course, we could not miss the exquisite honey extracted directly from the honeycomb. Without a doubt, it is something that you have to try if you have the opportunity to visit this town.
How to get to Colmenar
How to get there by bus
If you want to get to Colmenar by public transport, you can do so from the bus station in Malaga by taking the bus towards Riogordo. It will take you about an hour to get there and the ticket price is around 4 euros.
How to get there by car
If you prefer to travel by car, from the Málaga airport the quickest route is to head towards the MA-20 motorway, which connects with the A-45. Then, take exit 124 to join the A-356 road towards Riogordo, which will take you directly to Colmenar in approximately 30 minutes in total.
If you prefer to have your own means of transportation, you can consider renting an automatic car at the Malaga airport. With CarGest, you can rent a new vehicle, without hidden costs and with the best-rated service in Malaga in 2024. This way, you can move between the different towns in the area such as Casabermeja, Comares or Villanueva del Rosario.
Map of Colmenar
Below, you will find a map with the main points of interest in Colmenar. Don’t miss any corner of this charming town.
Relevant information
Best time of the year to visit: December – May
Don’t miss: A sweet visit to the Honey Museum and exploring the hiking trails offered by this natural landscape.
Nearby places to eat: After discovering the charms of this town, we recommend stopping for a meal at Taberna Las Flores, Venta la Colmena or Bar Venta los Moriscos, which are some of our favorites.
We hope this information has been useful to you and that you are encouraged to visit Colmenar. For more information about the city, you can check the website of the Colmenar Town Hall: https://www.colmenar.es/
