Free walking tours in Antequera and what to see

Must-sees

Antequera has one of the most important megalithic sites in Europe. The Antequera Dolmens Site is a World Heritage Site and includes the Menga and Viera dolmens and the El Romeral tholos, along with two natural landscapes: the Peña de los Enamorados and El Torcal. Menga, thousands of years old, is impressive for the size of its stone slabs.

At the top of the town stand the Alcazaba and the Royal Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor, joined by the Arco de los Gigantes. From there you can see the rooftops and the plain. In the centre, the City Museum holds the Ephebe of Antequera, a Roman bronze sculpture. Stroll around Plaza de San Sebastián too and step into some of its many Baroque churches, such as El Carmen.

Free tours and guided visits

Antequera has tip-based free tours of the historic centre. They usually climb to the Alcazaba and the Collegiate Church, pass the main churches and explain the town's history from Roman times to the Baroque. Some end at Plaza del Portichuelo or at viewpoints overlooking the Peña de los Enamorados.

Among paid visits, a guided entry to the Alcazaba and a guided visit to the dolmens, which helps you understand how they were built, are worthwhile. The most common nature trips go to El Torcal, with its limestone formations, and the Caminito del Rey, about forty minutes away. There are also outings to the Fuente de Piedra lagoon to see flamingos.

How long to spend

A full day covers the main sights: the morning for the Alcazaba, the Collegiate Church and the centre, and the afternoon for the dolmens. With two days you can add El Torcal and visit museums and churches at a gentler pace. If you want to walk the Caminito del Rey, set aside a third day, as the route takes half a day.

Where to stay

The historic centre is the best area, between Calle Infante Don Fernando, Plaza de San Sebastián and the slope up to the Alcazaba. Everything is within walking distance and there are lots of bars to try porra antequerana. The Menga and Viera dolmens are a walk from the centre. If you are driving and want to explore the region, there are hotels on the outskirts with easier parking.