Town · Valle del Guadalhorce · Málaga province

Álora

A white town crowned by a Moorish castle, whose municipality includes El Chorro, the southern end of the Caminito del Rey.

Why visit Álora

Álora sits on a hill above the Guadalhorce valley, its white houses spreading below a Moorish castle. Its municipality includes the village of El Chorro, set below the cliffs of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, where the Caminito del Rey ends and one of Europe's best-known climbing areas begins. With a train line from Málaga, it is one of the easiest places to reach in the Andalusian interior. Álora suits walkers, climbers, families and anyone visiting the Caminito del Rey.

What to see and do in Álora

Climb to the castle of Álora for views over the valley, then visit the church of La Encarnación, one of the largest in the province. In El Chorro, the Caminito del Rey ends with a walk through the gorge and over the suspension bridge, and the cliffs around the village are a famous destination for climbers of every level. The reservoirs above El Chorro are good for swimming, kayaking and picnics. The Santuario de Flores and the farmland of the Guadalhorce valley make pleasant short excursions.

A day in Álora

Take an early train from Málaga to El Chorro and walk the Caminito del Rey, or spend the morning climbing with a local guide. Have lunch by the reservoirs, then drive to Álora to climb to the castle and visit the church of La Encarnación. Buy a jar of aloreña olives before heading back, or stay for dinner in the town.

Food and local life

Álora is known for its aloreña olives, cracked and seasoned with garlic, thyme and fennel, which have their own protected designation. Try sopa perota, a local soup, and fresh produce from the valley's orchards.

Around Álora

Álora is in the Valle del Guadalhorce comarca, a green valley of citrus groves and farm towns that runs inland from Málaga. Pizarra, Cártama and Coín are close by, Alhaurín el Grande is known for its Holy Week, and the Sierra de Mijas rises to the south. Ardales and the Guadalteba reservoirs lie at the northern end of the Gaitanes gorge. The valley is known for its orange and lemon groves, and roadside stalls sell fresh fruit and olives.

See every town and village on the Valle del Guadalhorce page.

Getting there and around

Álora is in the Valle del Guadalhorce comarca, about 40 minutes from Málaga by car or train; El Chorro has its own station on the same line. Book Caminito del Rey tickets in advance. Spring and autumn are best for walking and climbing.