Discover Cómpeta: Culture, Wine Tradition and Hiking Trails

Cómpeta combines historic paths, regional culture and a strong wine tradition. The Casa de la Mina-Pradillos hiking trail follows the historic Puerto de Cómpeta mule track between Granada and the coast. Another landmark is located at Puerto del Collao: the viewpoint is situated at an altitude of 890 metres and offers views of the peaks of the Sierra Almijara and the nearby Mediterranean Sea. Thus, different landscape references stand side by side when travelling through the area – the course of an old path and the view from a high-altitude location.

Culture

The Museo de Artes y Costumbres occupies both floors of a former 19th-century Guardia Civil barracks. The exhibits include old agricultural and commercial tools, traditional costumes, as well as cultural, artistic and folk forms of expression from the region’s cultural heritage. A visit to the museum thus leads from the historic use of the building to the objects, customs and forms of expression of regional life.

At the Paseo de las Tradiciones, ceramic mosaics depict traditional crafts, a poem and a brief outline of Cómpeta’s history. The parish church in Cómpeta has a 16th-century structure, a Mudejar roof and a Mudejar coffered ceiling, as well as two murals by the painter Paco Hernández. The museum, paseo and parish church each place different aspects in focus: everyday life and cultural history at the museum, the depiction of local traditions at the paseo, and historic architecture and painting in the church.

Cuisine

Traditional dishes from Cómpeta include Potaje de Hinojos, Migas, Ensalada Arriera and fried pumpkin. Noche del Vino has been celebrated for more than 30 years as a festival intended to promote Cómpeta and its typical products. Wine, raisins and honey take centre stage. The morning feast includes Migas, baked cod, grapes and salad.

On 15 August, Noche del Vino was celebrated with a re-enactment of the grape harvest, the transport of the grapes to the press house and grape treading at the Plaza de la Vendimia. Cómpeta is also part of the Ruta del Sol y del Vino through the Axarquía, which highlights artisanal wine production. Thus, both individual dishes and products and the wine-related tradition appear as distinct themes on this route and at the festival.

Exploring the Area

Cómpeta has several established walking routes through the town. Together with the historic mule track and the viewpoint at Puerto del Collao, the routes and landscape points described range from short walks in the town to a historically significant route and a high-altitude viewpoint. Culture, local history and wine tradition also form separate focal points that can be considered independently of one another.

Other destinations: Alcaucín, Arroyo Coche, Algarrobo, Tolox, Bermejo, Villanueva De La Concepción, Benalmadena, Estepona.

To the main travel overview: Málaga.