natural wonder
El Torcal de Antequera
A surreal karst landscape of stacked, pancake-like limestone formations carved by erosion, with ibex roaming the trails.
21 km · about 25 min drive
EuropeSpainAndalusia
Archidona
Andalusia, Spain · Europe
About Archidona
Archidona is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Villanueva del Trabuco, 21km from El Torcal de Antequera.
Archidona is in Andalusia, Spain, with about 8,500 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Villanueva del Trabuco, about 9 km away.
Archidona is a town and municipality in the province of Málaga, part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. It is the center of the comarca of Nororiental de Málaga and the head of the judicial district that bears its name. It earned the title of city in 1901.
It covers an area of 187 km2Read more
extending from the east side of the Hoya of Antequera. The city is located at a height of 666 meters in the foothills of the Sierra de Gracia. With 8,858 inhabitants, Archidona is the most populous municipality in the comarca. The population is concentrated in the main urban centers of the same name and in Salinas, Estación de Archidona and Huertas del Río. The municipality is situated approximately 50 kilometers from the city of Málaga and 20 km from Antequera.
Archaeological finds confirm the presence of settlers in the area from the Lower Paleolithic. The oldest permanent settlement correspond to Escua, founded by the Phoenicians, and Ulisis, inhabited by Turduli and Romans. During the Muslim period, Medina Arxiduna achieved notoriety by becoming the capital of Rayya Cora. In his alcazaba he was proclaimed Emir Abd al-Rahman I in 756, leading to the establishment of the Emirate of Cordoba in al-Andalus. After the Christian conquest in 1462, the town remained under the seigniorial jurisdiction of the House of Osuna.
The city was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1980 for Baroque urban and architectural heritage. The municipality is home to several archaeological sites from different periods and areas of ecological interest such as the Natural Lagoons Reserve of Archidona and Hoz de Marín. It is also the headquarters of the Andalusian and Mediterranean Cinema Displays.
The natives are called Archidoneses.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Archidona?
Within an hour or so of Archidona: El Torcal de Antequera (21 km), Caminito del Rey (40 km), Costa del Sol (42 km), Alcazaba de Málaga (42 km).
Are there any good drives near Archidona?
The nearest famous roads are A-397 San Pedro to Ronda, A-397 Ronda to San Pedro Road and Sierra Nevada road to Pico Veleta (A-395).
Where is Archidona?
Archidona is in Andalusia, Spain, about 9 km from Villanueva del Trabuco.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 8,506
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Spain
- Region
- Andalusia
- Timezone
- Europe/Madrid
- Coordinates
- 37.0965, -4.3887
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Spain
Guardia Civil (traffic police): 062. Two warning triangles required in vehicles.
Full driving guide for SpainTags
Worth the detour from Archidona
5 notable places within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
Caminito del Rey
A thrilling boardwalk pinned to sheer cliff faces above the El Chorro gorge, once called the world's most dangerous path.
40 km · about 45 min drive
beach
Costa del Sol
Spain's sun-drenched southern coastline stretching from Malaga to Gibraltar, famous for over 300 days of sunshine per year.
42 km · about 50 min drive
castle
Alcazaba de Málaga
A well-preserved Moorish hilltop citadel overlooking Málaga's port, linked to the Roman theatre at its base.
42 km · about 50 min drive
landmark
Frigiliana
Repeatedly voted Spain's prettiest white village, a steep tumble of geranium-draped lanes above the Costa del Sol.
55 km · about 65 min drive
Driving roads near Archidona
- 40 kmCaminito del ReyA thrilling boardwalk pinned to sheer cliff faces above the El Chorro gorge, once called the world's most dangerous path.
- 60 kmBalcón de Europa, NerjaA palm-lined seafront promenade jutting on a clifftop balcony with panoramic Mediterranean and mountain views.
- 80 kmRonda Puente Nuevo ViewpointThe 18th-century bridge spanning the 120-metre-deep El Tajo gorge, splitting the town of Ronda in two with dizzying views into the abyss.
- 80 kmA-397 San Pedro to RondaA smooth, empty mountain road climbing from the Costa del Sol into the Serrania de Ronda, all long radius curves.
Driving in Spain
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€1.55/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€4.00/100km
When to drive here
April to October
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