Cañete la Real
The hilltop town of Cañete la Real, located in the northern part of the Serrania de Ronda is an ideal destination for enjoying nature, but also great for seeing monuments and heritage. The area around the town is dominated by the Sierra del Padrasto, and sits in a valley of the river Guadalteba, which flows into the mighty Guadalhorce.
In these mountains, you can see various endangered species such as the golden eagle, the griffon vulture, the peregrine falcon, wild cats and foxes, as well as plants and trees such as oak, pine, peony and orchid. The town's beautiful surroundings are also great for practising sports like caving, mountain biking, climbing and paragliding, with one of the best places to start the latter being next to the town cementary. The climbing hotspots are the Sierra del Padrastro and La Albacara, situated at the foot of an ancient fort.
In terms of the local architecture, the most eye-catching buildings of Cañete la Real, as well as the 15th and 18th-century grand houses with their impressive facades, are; the Iglesia Parroquial de San Sebastián with its baroque style entrance; the 17th century Convento de San Francisco; the 18th century Monasterio del Santísimo Sacramento de las Madres Carmelitas; and the remains of the ninth-century Hins Canit castle, part of the Cordoba Caliphate; and two defensive towers - the Atalayon, which dates from medieval times, and the Ortegicar, with Arabic origins.
Local products include painted ceramic tiles, dried flowers and pastries baked by the nuns. Other local culinary delights include carne guisada con cebolla (meat stewed with onions), potaje de tagarninas (golden thistle stew), relleno de verduras (vegetable stuffing), esparragos esparragados (asparagus cooked with breadcrumbs, egg and garlic), porra (cold coup made from stale bread, tomatoes, ham, green peppers and garlic), chacinas (sausages and other meat products), gazpacho tostado (cold soup made with stale bread, red peppers, paprika and Seville oranges) and setas de cardo y chopo (oyster and chestnut, or poplar, mushrooms).
You should try to visit Cañete la Real on the third week of September to experience the town's most typical celebrations because this is when the Feria de Nuestra Señora de Cañosantos, the town patron, takes place. Also, between 8 - 12 August the Feria Real is celebrated.
The shortest route from Cañete la Real to Malaga city is about 85 km. The route takes the A-357, then joins onto the MA-442, followed by the A-367 and then finally the MA -457.
