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Competa Holidays - Places to Visit
Torrox

Torrox, a typical white town with 12000 inhabitants, which is set on the mountain road between Nerja and Competa. 126 m. high and sheltered from the Northern winds by the mountains of Tejeda, Torrox is proud of its denomination as the place with the best climate in Europe. This is a privileged spot to have a rest, as well as to enjoy its mountains and its beaches and of course to try some of its gastronomic specialities, such as "espetos of sardines", "migas cortijeras", fresh anchovies or "papas a lo pobre", enhancing the taste of any of them with the famous local wines.

Still untouched by tourist development here you can truly appreciate the Spanish way of life and have unmatched mountain and sea views. In Torrox you can find popular architecture such as the Moorish Quarter and wine and raisin presses and interesting industrial architecture such as the Sugar Factory.

Its urban architecture, of Moorish extraction, surprises the visitor with its steep streets, squares and corners where the light, the sun and the flower are always united. The Plaza de la Constitucion offers the visitor a singular set of Roman busts at the tops of the eaves in its buildings, among which towers the imposing bulk of the Parish Church of la Encarnación (XVIII century). Other monuments will turn up in our way, like the set made up of the Convent and Hermitage of the Virgen de las Nieves (XVI century), the towers of its old walled enclosure which according to some historians may have been the birthplace of Almanzor, the Church of San Roque (XVI c.), the Hospital of San Jose (XVIII c.), as well as the old Mint or the Sugar Factory (XIX c.), which confirm its economic splendour in the past centuries. On the coast, nevertheless, a populous Roman city was settled which reached its peak between the I and the IV century, a fact proved by a Necropolis, some Thermae, two ovens for the manufacturing of ceramic, salt containers to fabricate the famous "garum" and a village -"Mansio Caviclum" - which make up the fascinating archaeological set of the Lighthouse, whose keeper Tomas Garcia Ruiz started the excavations of in the first years of our century. Two watchtowers which were erected by the Arabs in two coast headlands dominate the 9 km. of its beaches, standing out those of Ferrara, El Morche, Peñoncillo and Calaceite.

They add to its tourist atmosphere two magnificent Maritime Walks . To all this attractive factors we have to mention its traditions and popular festivities, like the feasts in honour of the Virgen de las Nieves (August the 5); The ones dedicated to the Patrons (October 4-7), la Candelaria September 7-8), the night of San Juan (June the 24), with curious traditions; the Cruces de Mayo (May 2-3) and the famous feasts of Las Migas (Sunday before Christmas) with the tasting of this typical dish and also of the good local wines. During them, Verdiales are sung and danced.

The House of the Moorish Kings dates from the 18th century and has wonderful gardens that must be viewed. From the gardens is access to the underground mines built by Abomelik in the 14th century. It used to have 365 steps but now only has 200. Inside are several rooms used as dungeons and storerooms.

A good place to finish your tour is the Plaza El Socorro which is surrounded by good shops, fine restaurants and is a warm sun-trap. Here you will also find the Church of Socorro.

Click on the links below for full details of places to visit around Competa.

• Canillas de Albaida
• Caves of Nerja
• Frigiliana
• Nerja
• Granada
• Sevilla
• Torrox