Free walking tours in Tolox and what to see

Must-sees

Tolox is a white village in inland Málaga, on the southern slope of the Sierra de las Nieves, now a national park. Its old town climbs uphill from the Grande river, with narrow whitewashed streets that keep the Moorish layout of the Barrio Alto and the Barrio Castillo, where a stretch of wall and a passage still survive. The church of San Miguel Arcángel, built in the early 16th century and rebuilt after a fire, presides over the upper town. Nearby is the Plaza Alta and, in the village, the Casa-Museo de Artes Populares, which recreates a traditional home.

On the outskirts is the 19th-century Fuente Amargosa spa, reached along a tree-lined walk, whose waters are used mainly for respiratory complaints. From the Plaza Alta the Paseo de la Alfaguara follows the river past old mills. The municipality includes La Torrecilla, the highest peak in the sierra, and forests of pinsapo, the Spanish fir that is the park's symbol.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours of the village in Tolox. What's on offer are guided nature activities: guided hikes in the sierra, e-bike outings and 4x4 tours along the forest tracks of the Sierra de las Nieves, a good option if you want to reach high areas without a long walk. If you're staying on the Costa del Sol, there are also excursions combining several villages in the park.

How long to spend

Half a day is enough for the village, the church, the walk to the spa and the Alfaguara. If you want to do an activity in the sierra, such as a guided hike or the 4x4 outing, allow a full day. With two or three days you can climb La Torrecilla, which demands good fitness, and visit other Sierra de las Nieves villages such as Yunquera or El Burgo.

Where to stay

The most convenient option is to stay in Tolox itself, in the old town or the spa area, where there are rural houses and small places to stay. The streets in the upper part are very steep, so park below if you have luggage. In the surrounding countryside there are also farmhouses and rural houses. If you can't find a room, Alozaina, Coín or the Costa del Sol itself have more on offer less than an hour away.