Free walking tours in Ardales and what to see

Must-sees

Ardales is a white village in inland Málaga province, in the Guadalteba area, stepped around a great rock. At the top are the remains of the Castillo de la Peña, a fortress of medieval origin that overlooks the whole valley, and next to its ruins is the church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios. Heading down to the river Turón, the La Molina bridge, of Roman origin, survives, and at the entrance to the village is the Prehistory Interpretation Centre.

That centre is the gateway to the Cueva de Ardales, also known as the cave of Doña Trinidad Grund, with Upper Palaeolithic animal figures and symbols. Very close are the ruins of Bobastro, the stronghold of Omar ibn Hafsun, with its church carved into the rock. And within the municipality is the northern access to the Caminito del Rey, the walkway along the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, next to the Guadalhorce and Guadalteba reservoirs.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours of the village in Ardales. What you will find are guided visits to the Caminito del Rey, which sort out the ticket and transport between the two ends, and a visit to a local craft brewery with a tasting. The Cueva de Ardales is always toured in small groups with a guide, and you need to book well ahead because places are very limited.

How long to spend

The Caminito del Rey takes half a day, including the access and the bus back. The village, the castle and the interpretation centre can be seen in a couple of hours. Two days is ideal: one for the Caminito and a swim or a walk by the reservoirs, and another for the cave and the ruins of Bobastro. In summer the midday heat is fierce, so start early.

Where to stay

Sleeping in the village of Ardales is a good option for exploring on foot and being close to the interpretation centre. If you want an early start on the Caminito del Rey, the reservoir area, by the northern access, has rural places to stay and campsites surrounded by pine forest. At the other end of the gorge, El Chorro, in Álora, is another practical base. With little availability, Antequera or Málaga have much more choice.