Visit Antequera Spain a Day Trip from Malaga and A World UNESCO Site

This is the ultimate guide to all the things to do when you visit Antequera, Spain. This amazing town is steeped in old history, has a fantastic culinary scene and is a World Unesco Site. It may not be as well known as some bigger Spanish towns, but Antequera is full of historic and interesting things to do.

So if you are heading off to the Costa del Sol in Spain and have heard of the obvious places to visit, such as Marbella, Mijas, Ronda, Juzcar and Granada, Why not visit Antequera in the heart of Andalusia?

This is everything you need to know before you go to visit Antequera Spain.

This stunning traditional Spanish town is also in a central location in the province of Malaga and is is often considered a national monument in the Heart of Andalucía. Antequera is known for its ancient burial mounds, which include the Dolmen de Menga, Dolmen de Viera and Tholos de El Romeral as well as panoramic views over the town. The Alcazaba of Antequera is a centuries-old Moorish fortress that can be found in middle of the city. Antequera is filled with traditional Spanish white-washed houses and is overlooked by Torcal de Antequera with its amazing natural rock formations. 

Antequera is in the province of Malaga and has a World UNESCO heritage site the Dolmens. In this guide we look at Antequera and where to spend your time in one or two days to experience the beauty of the city.

This is a list of things to do in Antequera so that you get the most out of your visit to the city.

What is there to do in Antequera?

A list of things to do in Antequera spain:

• Visit the Royal Collegiate of Santa Maria
• Take a walk around the old town
• Climb El Tocal de Antequera for spectacular views
• Look for the “Lovers Rock”
• Visit the Moorish Alcazaba
• Walk Around the Old Town
• Visit the Antequera Museum
• Go inside the Antequera Dolmens all three of them! Tholos de El Romeral, Dolmen de Menga and Dolmen de Viera
• Take a trip on the sightseeing train
• Have a look inside the bull ring Plaza de Toros
• Visit the churches of Antequera
• Eat an authentic Andalusian Spanish meal
• Check Out the Pink Flamingos from the Nearby Fuente de Piedra

World Unesco heritage site the Dolmens in Spain, Antequera

 Whilst you are in this old city you can also visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of the archeological Antequera Dolmens ensemble. This ancient burial site can also be easily be visited from Malaga in a day. Here is the Ultimate guide for when you Visit Antequera Spain and have a historic look in to the heritage site of The Dolmens Antequera.

Antequera is a charming Spanish city in the heart of Andalucia.

As well as these newly listed World Unesco heritage sites likewise the rest of the city is pretty majestic in itself. It is a great place to visit with many wonderful things to see including the centuries-old Moorish fortress of the Alcazaba of Antequera with its giants archway. There are almost 40 churches including the Church of San Sebastian and plenty of typical restaurants serving Spanish tapas. There are also many hotels offering so much to do in the surrounding area making it the perfect place to explore 

How do I Visit the World UNESCO heritage site of the Archeological Antequera Dolmens ensemble?

They are all easily accessible with tourist offices onsite. The sites are also well sign posted on the route heading in to the city. In this extensive guide to will take a look at just what there is to offer and how you go about visiting the Dolmans Antequera.

Antequera is also known for its ancient burial mounds called The Antequera Dolmens ensemble and is also very easy to visit. These burial grounds include the Dolmen de Menga, Dolmen de Viera and Tholos de El Romeral. The Dolmens site also includes two natural mountain formations of La Pêna de los Enamorados and EL Torcal. A dolmen is a type of single-chamber megalithic tomb consisting of two or more vertical megaliths ( large stone ) supporting a large flat horizontal capstone or table stone. Most date from the early Neolithic period between (4000–3000 BC) These dolmens were sometimes covered with earth or smaller stones to form a mound. They are pretty much like the Stonehenge of Spain as it would of been a work of massive proportion to get these stones in to place and would of had spiritual recognition.

La Peña de los Enamorados part of the Antequera Dolmans site.

One of the first things you will notice when driving in to Antequra is the La Peña de los Enamorados. La Peña is a huge rock in the landscape that resembles the face of an Indian man. The enormous rock formed of limestone overlooks the Dolmans and valley of Antequera the La Peña de los Enamorados is also known as the “The Lovers’ Rock” and “the Lovers Leap”.

Peña de los Enamorados was included as a landmark within the Antequera Dolmens Site which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list on 15th July 2016 (including El Torcal de Antequera).

Tholos de El Romeral

The first of the Dolmen site you should visit is the Tholos de El Romeral. There is a small kiosk for tickets here and parking. The entrance to this site and the other two Dolmen sites is free but you are required to visit the onsite reception buildings for a ticket and leaflet. The Tholos de El Romeral is a  circular tomb with two chambers. The communities who constructed these Antequera archaeological sites expressed symbolic links with earthy elements. The Tholos de El Romerals axis points to the highest elevation in El Torcal. The Dolmen of Menga is orientated towards a geographical landmark of La Peña and finally, Viera is pointed towards the equinox sunrise.

Visiting Dolmen de Menga and the Dolmen de Viera from Malaga in Antequera Spain

The second two sites Dolmen de Menga and The Dolmen de Viera are both in the same place approximately 5 minutes down the road.

Dolmen of Menga

Menga is a Gallery Dolmen that opens into an atrium and has another room inside. Inside five slabs make up the roof which are supported by three central pillars. It is not known exactly when Menga was built but it is thought to of been between 3800 and 3400 BC. Menga dolman was then used as a holy space or funeral place until medieval times.

Dolmen of Viera

The Dolmen of Viera is a long corridor tomb that was used as place of worship and burial during the copper and bronze age.

How do I get to Antequera Dolmens site?

To visit Antequera the reception and the Dolmens of Menga and Viera address is; Carretera de Malaga, 5- 29200 Antequera.

Where is the Tholos of El Romeral?

The reception centre and Tholos of El Romeral is situated at Carretera A-7283 in the direction of Cordoba.

Telephone (+34) 670 94 54 52

There is also a bus on Line 1 of the Antequera bus service stops directly outside both archaeological ensembles.

What are the opening times of the Archaeological Antequera Dolmens ensemble?

The opening times for the Archaeological Antequera Dolmens site are,

1st January to 31st March and 16th September to the 31st December

The Dolmens of Antequera is open from 9 am to 6 pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Sundays and public holidays 9 am to 3 pm. Monday closed.

1st of April to the 30th of June

The Dolmens of Antequera is open from 9 am to 9 pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Sundays and public holidays 9 am to 3 pm. Monday closed.

1st of July to the 15th of September

The Dolmens of Antequera is open from 9 am to 6 pm Tuesday to Saturday. Night visits available from 8 pm to 10 pm

Sundays and public holidays 9 am to 3 pm. Monday closed.

Note: It is closed on Mondays expect Mondays which are public holidays or the eve of one. This then will be open from 9 am to 3 pm. Closed on the 1st and the 6th of January, the 1st of May, and the 24th, 25th and 31st of December.

Visiting EL Torcal de Antequera national park Day trip from Malaga

El Torcal is also part of the world Unesco Heritage site and is an amazing sight to see. These interesting rock formations are simply stunning and so unusual. The protected EL Torcal Natural Area is known for its impressive limestone rock formations and some of the best in Europe. The whole area was under the sea until one hundred million years ago which is where these formations occurred.

Once you reach the park you will come across the parking in conjunction with a welcome centre, washrooms and a gift shop. There is also a wonderful restaurant that serves tasty Spanish specialities.

There are several trails available for you. A 45 minute green walk, a 2 hour yellow walk and a three and half hour orange walk. Take good walking shoes if you plan to do the longer routes because the terrain is very stony and steep. Also, you should carry enough water and food. We plan to do this next time so here is picture of just what you can expect to find on route. Remember to look out for fossils and minerals along your path.

Alternatively, you could walk just 5 minutes to a great viewpoint for a photo.

More things to do in the city of Antequera

Visit Antequera and the Andalucían town on a journey which takes you back almost 5,000 years. You can explore the city to your heart’s content wandering the meandering streets. After exploring the ancient burial mounds take a look at the Roman baths, Moorish gateways, Gothic churches, museums and baroque bell towers. Here are just a few to get you started.

Arco de Los Gigantes the Moorish gates to the city of Alcazaba

An Alcazaba is a Moorish fortification of Spanish or Portuguese origin. The best of Antequera starts here as you will enter through the two-metre-thick sandstone arch Moorish arch which dates back to 1585. From then you will and trace your steps to the beautiful Church of Santa Maria la Mayor. This then takes you to the old Moorish Alcazaba.

The Alcazaba of Antequera

The city view from the The Alcazaba of Antequera Spain is a picture-perfect postcard of white houses. With every turn, you will see views that take your breath away. From then you will take a walk up to the entrance of the old city walls and see just how beautiful Antequera is. Additionally, for just 6 euros you can visit the church of Santa Maria la Mayor with is baroque interior this is not seen from the outside. You will be taken by surprise.

The views across Antequera from the Bell Tower are extensive, and the bell here is huge, and it can be deafening.
There are excellent toilet facilities available near the White Tower too. There are four large arches around Antequera.

Check Out the Pink Flamingos from the Nearby Fuente de Piedra

Fuente de Piedra Is the largest lagoon in Andalusia and also has largest colony of flamingoes in Spain. This salt water lagoon is some 4 miles long and preserves old dykes, walls and canals. These were built to aid salt extraction are today essential to the nesting of the flamingo colony. Birding watching is best there in winter and spring, where water levels are higher.

Churches of Antequera

With so many churches and places of worship that are many years old, you will be spoilt for choice.

The Portichuelo chapel- virgin del morocco in Antequera Spain sits majesty on the top of the town. Whilst you can not go inside to visit you can have a cheeky tapas and glass of wine on the terrace and admire the view!

Getting around the old town of Antequera

It is very easy to walk around the old town antequera spain and you can also drive. However, roads can be quite narrow and busy in places. There are some steep hills and plenty of steps so get your comfy shoes on, though you may need to carry small children.

When you visit Antequera you could also try the City sightseeing train with a guided tour of the city. You can pick the train up at signposted stops throughout the town.

 Restaurants in Antequera

There is plenty of traditional tapas restaurants to choose from in the city of Antequera. Porra de Antequera is a type of cold, thick tomato soup made typically by the local villages in the Antequera region. The name Porra comes from the tool it is made, the pestle (porra) and the mortar. The area is also known for the best-fried eggplant, sliced so thin and crispy and the best olive oil!

Getting to Antequera

Malaga AGP airport is just 60km minutes away with daily flights from the UK every day. To drive to Antequera it takes approximately 40 minutes from Malaga. You can get trains into the Santa Ana Station in Antequera Spain. However, the best way to get to Antequera is to hire a car directly from the airport. Take a look at the handy Antequera map of the Old town.

Where else can I visit in a day trip from Malaga?

If you are staying in the area a while you could also travel around Andalusia and visit many more places nearby Antequera in these day trips from Malaga.

From here you could visit Gibraltar and hop across the border.

Juzcar the village of the Surfs is a day trip from Malaga

Go up in to the mountains as well as exploring Ronda

Visit more World heritage sites in Cordoba.

See the playground of millionaires and also the Antique market at the Bullring in Puerto Banus 

Alternatively, take a ferry from Tarifa to Morocco

Visit Malaga itself and find Picasso’s birth place.

Whenever you travel to Visit Antequera Spain you will love your time there in the pretty Spanish city. You can visit Antequera in a day trip from Malaga to experience the main sights, or you can peruse at your leisure over a few days and really soak it up.

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