Welcome to Bienvenido a Alfarnatejo!
A real mountain village on the Costa del Sol
Like it’s neighbour, Alfarnate, Alfarnatejo is a village in the north of the Axarquía region, east of Malaga. Surrounded by a dramatic mountainous landscape with some peaks as high as 1637 metres, Alfarnatejo is one of the highest villages in the Axarquía region, and so has a real mountain village feel to it. This also means that for a village on the often fiercely hot Costa del Sol, it enjoys a far milder climate than many of the villages on the coast. Moreover, this mountainous landscape has allowed for a higher rainfall than most of the Axarquía region, giving the countryside around Alfarnatejo a lush green feel.
On this page you’ll find plenty of information to help start plan your trip to this charming old Moorish village.
First there’s a little info on Alfarnatejo, then there’s an interactive map which will give you directions on how to get here – from wherever you’re starting from!
Also worth checking out is our handy guide which links not only to all of our Alfarnatejo pages, but to all of the fascinating places to visit here. Further on, you’ll find a map guide of the Axarquia with links to all the interesting places to visit both in Alfarnatejo, and the surrounding villages.
A hikers and trekkers favourite
Alfarnatejo and its neighbour Alfarnate, are in an area known as the ‘Pyrenees of the South’, especially given the nearby mountain peaks of the Tajos del Sabar – the Doña Ana, the Alto de Fraile and the Tajo de Gomer – some of the most breathtaking in the Málaga province. This, as well as its spectacular gorges, has made the countryside surrounding Alfarnatejo very popular with hikers, sightseers and trekkers.
The municipality of Alfarnatejo is situated in the the northwest of the Axarquía approximately 50 km from the city of Málaga, and 42 km inland from Torre del Mar. It is a small village with a population of approximately 500 residents. Though its houses are typically simple, its streets are wider than usual for Axarquia.
This fertile area is predominantly given over to agriculture, still its biggest income. One crop it excels in growing is chickpeas (garbanzos). In fact it is claimed they are the best in the province of Málaga, and so it isn’t surprising that the most famous dish in Alfarnatejo – gazpacho – is cooked with them!
It is said that though Alfarnate and Alfarnatejo are just a few kilometres apart there is quite fierce competition between them, no doubt as a result of them being linked until the 18th century, when they became separate municipalities.
But both communities share an unusual legend that is derived from their respective nicknames, ‘los palancos’ (the lever-bearers) from Alfarnate, and ‘los tejones’ (the badgers) from Alfarnatejo, (with the animal pictured on the village’s official coat of arms, on the left). More about that in our Alfarnatejo history section.
In fact, the rivalry got to the point that in the past that marriage was frowned on between the communities! Moreover, it is said that while Alfarnate leans to the left politically, Alfarnatejo has always been staunchly to the right. Ironically, it was one of Alfarnatejo’s mayors that came foul of Franco’s fascist regime. You can read more about that in the history section.
Directions for Alfarnatejo
Alfarnatejo pages guide
Use the links below to explore what you can see and do in Alfarnatejo, what festivals take place through the year, and to read about the area’s fascinating history.
What's nearby
Alfarnatejo is a great base for exploring all of the Axarquía. From beautiful beaches, stunning countryside, pretty little villages, and a wealth of things to do, it has something for everyone – take a look below at all the places you can visit!
Just click on the map icons to find out more information or get driving directions.