Holiday apartment in Vélez-Málaga: coast, culture and crafts

Vélez-Málaga is located on the Mediterranean coast; the Sierra de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park is in the nearby area. The town, coastal location and nearby natural area form the geographical setting for a trip that combines historical heritage, crafts, festival traditions, contemporary art and regional cuisine.

Culture and history

The Museo de Semana Santa de Vélez-Málaga is a permanent institution open to the public. It collects, preserves, researches and displays historical and artistic heritage relating to Holy Week in Vélez-Málaga, as well as the municipality's brotherhood heritage. Holy Week in Vélez-Málaga is recognised as a Festival of Tourist Interest in Andalusia. Thus, both the museum and the festival tradition provide different ways of approaching religious and local history.

The Fortaleza o Alcazaba is located at the highest point of the town of Vélez-Málaga, approximately 80 metres above sea level. The Fortaleza o Alcazaba is a medieval castle built in the 10th century that reached its greatest importance in the 14th and 15th centuries. The surviving original walls of the Fortaleza o Alcazaba date from the 13th and 15th centuries. The Fortaleza o Alcazaba can be reached via the road by the Fernando Hierro sports centre and then via the road to Arenas. The castle thus combines its location within the town with a building history spanning several centuries.

The Iglesia de San Juan Bautista dates from the 16th century. The Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor is designed in the Mudejar style and was formerly a mosque. The Centro de Arte Contemporáneo 'Francisco Hernández' is located in the heart of Vélez-Málaga and represents avant-garde art, new perspectives and the legacy of Francisco Hernández. The historic churches, the castle and the contemporary art centre each add their own focus to the cultural offering.

Crafts and contemporary art

Vélez-Málaga was designated an area of craft interest by the decree of 17 December 2012; 14 craft workshops from various trades have received this distinction. Traditional pottery in Vélez-Málaga dates back to Phoenician times and includes the production of bricks, tiles and mosaics.

The craft tradition thus extends from a historical classification to specifically named products. Together with the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo 'Francisco Hernández', Vélez-Málaga focuses on both traditional skills and contemporary artistic perspectives.

Regional cuisine

Speciality recipes of the Vélez-Málaga destination include preparations made with subtropical fruits, including avocado smoothie, guacamole and mango jam. Ajobacalao is prepared especially during Holy Week. The cuisine therefore includes both fruit-based preparations and a dish whose preparation is particularly associated with the festival period.

Other places: Benajarafe, Chilches, Torre Del Mar, Almayate, Trapiche, Almayate Alto, Mezquitilla, Manilva.

For the overarching travel overview: Málaga.