Antequera on the Costa Del Sol, Southern Spain

Population - 40,000Plaza de los Escribanos
Distance from Malaga airport: 21 Miles (34KMS)4. Museo Conventual de las Descalzas - the first of
Antequera feels a world away from the excesses ofthe town's two small but interesting museums
the kiss-me-quick coast , and provides one of the5. Museo Municipal - Once the private residence of
region's historical and architechtural showpieces.aristocratic Nájera family, the palacio has an
Nestled among steep, rugged mountain peaks, it is ainterior courtyard now used to display Roman
thriving settlement with a perfectly preserved ancientartefacts
center and some world class prehistoric sights.6. San Sebastian - 16th century building on Plaza San
Boasting everything from Neolithic dolmens to aSebastian, which succeeded Santa Maria as the
ninth-century Moorish Castle and some of Andalucia'stown's principal center of learning in the late 17th
finest baroque interiors, the town encapsulates thecentury
history of the entire region, which in the last 2,0007. Capilla Tribuna del Portichuelo - houses the the
years, has passed through Roman, Arab and ChristianVirgen del Socorro, a key focus in the town's Semana
hands. The result is a fascinating synthesis of all threeSanta celebrations
periods.8. Church of Santiago - stands side by side at the
Known even to the Romans as 'Antiquaria' or thejunction of Cuesta de Archidona and Calle de
'Ancient City', Antequera was probably a significantBélen with the ornate 17th century baroque
settlement as far back as 2,500 BC. The size andConvento de Bélen
sophistication of the town's three dolmens, which9. Dolmen de Viera & Dolmen de Menga - Menga
would have required hundreds of men to build them,Dolmen roughly 4,500 years old and probably the tomb
suggest the presence of large, well-organisedof an important nobleman
prehistoric community of nobles and workers withWhere to eat & drink in Antequera
powerful leaders and strong religious beliefs.Most of Antequera's (very limited) nightlife is to be
Upon the arrival of the Romans in the first century ADfound in the bars and (lifting the lid on tapas) tapas
came great wealth and magnificent villas. One suchjoints along Calle Alameda.
mansion is currently being excavated near the station,* El Angelote- one of Antequera's best known
many of the mosaics and priceless artefacts are noweateries. Local speciality being 'porra antequera' (a dip
on show at the town's Museo Municipal.like gazpacho)
Antequera's monuments & points of interest* Bar/Restaurant Plaza San Sebastian - ideal for
1. Arco de los Gigantes - imposing triumphal arch wastapas and raciones
erected in 1585 by Felipe II, known as Spain's oldest* Caserío de San Benito - one of the region's
and smallest open-air museumbest restuarants and is well worth the 20KM drive
2. Alcazaba - occupies the highest point in the townfrom Antequera
1. Torre del Homenaje - can normally be visited* El Escribano - A simple restaurant with tables spilling
10am-2pmout onto the Plaza, serving good, traditional dishes
2. La Peña de los Enamorados - (Lover's Rock)* Rstaurant La Espuela - The first Spanish restaurant
known colloquially as 'Franco's Nose'. Shaped liked thelocated inside a bullring
head of a sleeping giant, this huge natural formation isWhere to stay in Antequera
located halfway between Antequera and neighbouringThe list below is for hotels that are decent and located
Archidona.centrally in Antequera and include direct links to their
3. Real Colegiata de Santa Maria la Mayor - church iswebsites.
the principal feature of the beautifully proportioned