Serrato as a municipal district was formed as recently as December 2014. Until then it was part of the municipal district of Ronda. It has about 470 inhabitants.Its origins of Seratto date back to the Neolithic era, when small agricultural communities settled here due to the fertile land and the abundance of water. It was in the Roman and Arab period that it grew in importance, particularly Serrato village, which was a Roman town.

Nearly a fifth of Andalucia is protected, the largest proportion of an autonomous region in Spain, reflecting the unspoilt nature of its countryside and the high ecological importance of its territory. The environment department, the Consejería de Medio Ambiente, of the regional Andalucian government is in charge of overseeing the protected areas.

Andalucía is a birdwatcher's paradise and attracts ornithologists throughout the year. The best time of the year, however, is during the spring, as this is when you can see many wintering species, together with those arriving for the summer months.

"Los Encuentros de Arte del Valle del Genal"is a bi-annual summer art festival which takes place in Genalguacil, near Gaucin in Malaga province. What does the festival consist of? During the festival, which happens in the first two weeks of August in even years, prize-winning works of art created by 'Artists in residence' are displayed in the streets.

The  La Almoraima estate in Castellar de la Frontera occupies 14.000 hectares and is one of the largest estates in Spain. Agriculture, forestry, cork, hunting and tourism are main industries on the estate. A vast quantity of cork is produced from the cork oak trees, quercus suber which are stripped of bark each summer on a seven year rotation. The estate lies within the Parque Natural Los Acornocales.

Charco Azul is a natural pool and waterfall in the Arroyo del Quejigo which is one of the small stream tributaries to the Rio Genal. It is an isolated location and on most visits you will be alone you enjoy a swim (with or without swimming costume) in the crystal clear pool. There are two small (three metre) waterfalls cascading down eather side of a rock butress.

Two kilometres to the north of Algatocin, is the lost settlement of Benamahabu. This deserted medieval village lost its name after the local uprising in 1568 and today the name survives only as a hilltop near the site. Located on the boundary between Algatocin and Benalauria, it sits on the side of a small and fertile valley, completely hidden from modern life.

Canyoning is an increasingly popular outdoor activity, or extreme sport, which involves descending gorges using a combination of walking, climbing, jumping, sliding, abseiling (rappelling), and swimming (or wading) in rivers and waterfalls. It is also a great way of exploring remote, spectacular scenery which may not be accessible on foot.

This page contains information on the main endurance running and cycling events held each year in Andalucia, including the Malaga and Seville Marathons, important triathlons, Iron Man challenges and other established events.

The area of wine production known as the Serrania de Ronda forms part of the DO Sierras of Malaga, producing what are popularly known as 'the Ronda Wines'. Here modern bodegas at over 750m altitude in the Serrania de Ronda produce young red wines from Romé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Tempranillo. Their white wine varieties include Chardonnay, Macabeo, Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc.

Castillo del Aguila (Eagle's Castle) in the Moorish hilltown of Gaucin, consists of a series of fortifications built across a rocky ridge above the village. The castle, which is of Roman origin, and was reinforced by the Moors, is located on top of a hill whose east and south slopes are practically impregnable; the best way to reach this magnificent, historic building is by walking up Calle Larga.  

The Atlantic and Mediterranean shorelines are ideal for fishing and many of the local marinas provide everything required for a day of open sea fishing. A maritime recreational fishing licence (1st and 2rd Class) is required for fishing from the shore or from a boat near the coast. It is obtainable from the offices of the Delegación Provincial de la Conserjeria de Agricultura y Pesca.

The Cañón de las Buitreras is the strikingly named Gorge of the Vultures, after the colony of griffon vultures that nest in the area. The gorge itself is impressive, with often near-vertical sides at times reaching 200m high. In the bottom of the gorge is the Guadiaro river, which has eroded the limestone rock.

The Spanish fir, pinsapo in Spanish (abies pinsapo), is a rare tree most commonly found in the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. The pinsapo de las Escaleretas is the oldest pinsapo on record at over 350 years old. Its dimensions are impressive: it is 26m high, with a trunk measuring 5m in its circumference and branches that cover an area of 200m².

The small protected area of the Sierra Crestellina, of 478ha, is a limestone ridge rising to 926m at its highest point. It stretches for 4km north-south, immediately north of the village of Casares.

Located in the southwest part of Malaga province, the Sierra Bermeja is a mountain range with an average height of 1,000m (its highest point being 1,450m), covering 1,236ha. It is an area that has undergone major volcanic activity; the rocks are rich in the olivine mineral. Rainwater has oxidised the iron and magnesium present in the rocks and the iron oxide has coloured the rock reddish-ginger, a hue that gives the sierra its name.

Fuenfria is a quiet secluded spot ideal for a picnic, next to a natural spring and set in a clearing surrounded by forest. The spring has been capped and the water is collected and pumped to the local estates. There is an outlet for the general public to fill their water bottles.

The village of Benoajan is rightly famed for the caves which are well signposted around the area. South of the village of Benoaján heading towards Cortes de la Frontera, a side road leads off on the right, serving as a carpark.

The entrance of this cave can be seen from the railway as it heads north from Benaoján station two kilometres away. It's called the cat cave as its entrance is said to look like a cat's head.

There is no better way to get to know Andalucia than through its myriad of fascinating traditional festivals. The local fiesta is the moment when every town and village strives to put on a splendid show, not only for themselves but also for those who come from afar to admire and enjoy.