Genalguacil

About Genalguacil

Genalguacil clings to a steep hillside on the left bank of the river Genal, below the peaks of the Sierra Bermeja, above woods of chestnut and cork oak. After the Christian conquest the Muslim population stayed on until a bloody revolt in the 16th century, after which the village was resettled. About 350 people live here; it is one of Los Pueblos más Bonitos de España.

Since 1994 the council has hosted the Encuentros de Arte, now biennial, when invited artists spend the first half of August making works that stay in the village. The result is a pueblo museo of carved trunks, rooftop sculptures and painted walls. The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Fernando Centeno, opened in 2004 in a restored mill, holds the works that cannot stand outdoors (€2). The church of San Pedro Mártir de Verona overlooks the main square.

The village is about 35 km from Estepona over the Sierra Bermeja (50 minutes), 45 km from Ronda and 130 km from Málaga airport (1 hour 50 minutes). One weekday bus links it with Ronda. Park at the entrance; the lanes are steep and stepped, not for wheelchairs. Allow two to three hours.

Spring and autumn are best. The Encuentros de Arte take place on 1–15 August in even years, the patron's day on 29 April sees rice thrown from balconies, and chestnuts are roasted in November. Try sopa de tomate, revueltos with wild mushrooms and local chacinas. Tip: the museum closes on Mondays.

Genalguacil in pictures

What you’ll find

• Car parkParkingFree
• ChurchChurch visitFree
• FestivalAnnual festivalFree
• Hiking trailHikingFree
• Historic centreOld town walkFree
• Local craftsCraft shoppingBuy
• Local foodLocal cuisineBuy
• Moorish quarterMoorish heritage walkFree
• MuseumMuseum entry (€2, 11:00–14:00)Ticket
• ViewpointSightseeingFree

Nearby places to visit

Across the valley, Gaucín (8 km) rises to its Castillo del Águila, while Benalauría (6 km) and Benadalid (7 km) face Genalguacil from the Ronda side of the Genal. The Cañón de las Buitreras (13 km) is a gorge of the river Guadiaro with vultures and a famous canyoning route. Within the municipality, the Paraje Natural Los Reales de Sierra Bermeja protects rare pinsapo firs growing on red peridotite rock. Down on the coast, Estepona's Mercado Santa Ana, Estepona (15 km) and Playa de El Cristo (15 km), a sheltered cove by the marina, are the nearest town sights.