The small village of Serrato is located in the Serrania de Ronda, near the village of the same name. It has less than 500 inhabitants and is bordered to the south by the Sierra de las Nieves. It is 90km from Malaga with good road communications, and only 30km from the spectacular Ronda.
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History of Serrato
The history of the village dates back to small farming communities in the Neolithic period, although the most reliable finds date back to Roman times, when remains of dwellings from the period have been found. Later, under Arab control, the Ortegicar Castle was built, which served as a defence for the inhabitants of the area.
What to see and do in Serrato
Ortegicar Castle: located near the neighbouring Cañete La Real, it is the remains of an Arab fortification.
Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario: this small church in the centre of the village dates back to the 16th century and is where the mass of the October Fair takes place.
Roman remains of Cortijo de los Villares: located on the outskirts of Serrato, in this ancient Roman villa were found the sculpture of the “Pastor de Serrato” and the bronze head of Dionysios.
Nature and hiking
Being in the heart of the Serranía de Ronda, the options for exploring and immersing yourself in long country walks are diverse. Highly recommended is the climb to the Mirador Pinar de Serrato viewpoint, from where you will have exceptional views of the rolling green fields of the region.
You can also get there by car, but it is much more advisable to drive through the wooded areas to start the ascent to the Mirador. You can start in the village itself, passing through farmland first, or skip this section and go directly to the enclosed forest sections.
The GR-7 route of the longest European route also passes through the same village, which covers the route from Tarifa to Delphi in different stages, segmented by stages. Specifically, this section corresponds to Stage 4, which goes from Serrato to Ardales, a distance of 13.6km.
Popular festivities
Día de la Vieja: this immemorial fiesta is celebrated in the countryside, where all the villagers gather to burn “La Vieja”, and in this way, according to tradition, ward off bad omens. There is a bar and traditional sweets, and the date of the celebration varies depending on the year.
October Fair: Usually held on 7 October, it is a fair in honour of the Virgin of the Rosary. Children’s activities, concerts and street music performances are organised throughout the village.
La Candelaria: It takes place on the first weekend of February and consists of organising a big bonfire which is prepared by the local youths during the afternoon. During the night, all the people of the village gather around the bonfire while they roast meat and vegetables.
How to get to Serrato
How to get there by bus
Due to the distance to big cities and its small size, getting to Serrato by bus can be a long journey. However, there is a daily direct connection that departs in the morning, with a cost ranging from 8 to 15 euros, with stops in several villages in the area. Journey time is between 1 and 2 hours.
How to get there by car
On the other hand, the journey by car takes a maximum of 1 hour, passing through villages such as Pizarra and Ardales. The road from the airport runs along the MA-20, until exit 7 to take the A-357 road in the direction of Cártama. If you rent an automatic car at Malaga airport, just follow this road until the final turn-off in the direction of Serrato.
Map of Serrato
Below is a map showing the route to Serrato and the main points of interest mentioned here. Explore the province of Malaga in depth and don’t miss anything on your trip.
Relevant information
Best time of year to visit: October – November.
Not to be missed: The magical green and golden fields that surround the village, as well as the nearby forests in autumn.
Places to eat nearby: You can eat in one of the traditional bars in the village or visit some of Ronda’s restaurants.
For more information visit the website of the Serrato Town Hall: https://www.serrato.es/
