Casarabonela: Castle, Rondeles Festival and Hiking Trails

The castle in Casarabonela, also known as Fortaleza del Rey Chico, is a monument registered as an Asset of Cultural Interest. The Castillo Árabe houses an interpretation centre with a model and several thematic panels about life in al-Andalus. The two references can be read independently of one another: one focuses on the building, the other on the thematic presentation.

Culture

The Fiesta de los Rondeles takes place in Casarabonela on 12 December; during the procession, burning Rondeles soaked in oil are carried through the town’s central streets. The Fiesta de la Virgen de los Rondeles was declared a Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional de Andalucía by a resolution dated 12 December 2001. The name “rondel” derives from “reondel” or “redondel”, a mat made from esparto grass that was formerly used in olive oil mills to grind olives.

During the Fiesta de los Rondeles, participants gather in the village square and enjoy buñuelos, “tostones” made from bread with oil and garlic, hot chocolate and other dishes. The date, procession route, historical word origin and food are different points of reference that can be used to gain an initial understanding of the festival tradition.

Hiking

The SL-A 310 Casarabonela–Tajo San Francisco is a 2.5-kilometre linear hiking trail in Casarabonela. The SL-A 309 Puerto Martínez–Fuente Madrid is also 2.5 kilometres long and is a circular hiking trail in Casarabonela. The different trail formats and the shared length help you compare the two options before planning your own route.

The GR 340 Camino Geológico Malacitano covers a considerably larger area: the 144-kilometre route comprises nine stages and passes through nine towns in the inland area of Málaga, including Casarabonela. The eighth stage covers 12.7 kilometres from Carratraca to Casarabonela. A linear trail, a circular route, an individual stage and a route divided into stages provide different points of comparison for planning a hike.

Nature

The “Mora i Bravard” Botanical Cactus Garden in Casarabonela contains more than 11,000 specimens from 2,500 species of cacti and succulents from around the world. The large number of specimens and their worldwide origins give the garden a botanical profile that differs from the historical sites and hiking trails.

Casarabonela had regular passenger services operated by Autobuses Sierra de Nieves.

When booking a holiday apartment in Casarabonela, you can compare travel dates, room category and cancellation policies on the respective listing page. This information helps you align the comparison of offers with your own travel period and preferred type of accommodation, without forcing the different aspects of the town into a single decision.

Further places at this regional level:Alhaurin El Grande, Rincón De La Victoria, Casares, Ojén, Casabermeja, Benahavis, Cuevas Bajas, Bobadilla

For the higher-level travel overview: Málaga.