Sayalonga
Sayalonga is a white village of Moorish layout on a long ridge 359 metres up in the Axarquía, known for its round cemetery and the Callejón de la Alcuza, an alley 56 centimetres wide.
About Sayalonga
Sayalonga runs along a narrow ridge at 359 metres above the Algarrobo valley, between the Sierra de Almijara and the sea, its slopes covered in loquat, mango and avocado terraces. Centuries of Moorish rule shaped its tight street plan; after the 1569 revolt the Moriscos were expelled and the village resettled. The municipality includes the hamlet of Corumbela; about 1,670 people live here.
The 16th-century Mudéjar church of Santa Catalina, built on the site of the mosque, has an octagonal tower. Beside it, the Callejón de la Alcuza narrows to about 56 centimetres. Signs lead to the Cementerio Redondo, a round cemetery of whitewashed niches best seen from the mirador above; the tourist office in the Museo Morisco keeps the key to its interpretation centre.
Sayalonga is 47 km east of Málaga, about 50 minutes via the A-7 and Algarrobo, and Loymer buses to Málaga and Cómpeta stop here Monday to Saturday. Park on the through road. Allow one to two hours. The ridge street is fairly level but side lanes have steps. It suits families and walkers; paths lead down to pools in the Cájula river.
Spring and autumn are best; loquats ripen in late spring. The Día del Níspero on the first Sunday of May offers loquat tastings, the Candelarias bonfires burn on 7 September and the Virgen del Rosario romería is on 7 October. Try sopas cachorreñas, migas with herring and ajoblanco. Corumbela's 14th-century minaret is a short drive.
Sayalonga in pictures
What you’ll find
- Bus connectionPublic transportBuy
- Car parkParkingFree
- ChurchChurch visitFree
- FestivalAnnual festivalFree
- Hiking trailHikingFree
- Historic centreOld town walkFree
- Local foodLocal cuisineBuy
- Moorish quarterMoorish heritage walkFree
- MuseumFree museumFree
- Natural poolWild swimmingFree
- Tourist officeVisitor informationFree
- ViewpointSightseeingFree
Nearby places to visit
Corumbela, part of Sayalonga, keeps a 14th-century minaret in its church, and beyond it Árchez (5 km) has the finest Almohad minaret of the district. Cómpeta (5 km) is the wine village on the slope above, with bodegas and walking trails into the natural park. Towards the coast, Playa de Lagos (6 km) is a quiet beach of sand and shingle, and the MVVEL Museum of Vélez-Málaga (8 km) covers the history of the Axarquía. Further east, the Nerja Caves (16 km) are the best-known sight on this stretch of coast.
Sayalonga at a glance
Category
Culture White villages
Town
Sayalonga
Address
Plaza de la Constitución, 29752 Sayalonga, Málaga, Spain
Opening hours
Open access; the streets and the round cemetery can be visited at any time. The Cementerio Redondo interpretation centre is opened on request: ask at the tourist office in the Museo Morisco, Plaza García Lorca 3.
Prices
Free.
Website
sayalonga.es
Phone
+34 952 535 021
More places nearby
Other places within 25 km of Sayalonga, nearest first.
