Alhaurin boasts a rich and dramatic history which dates back to Neolithic times and has seen Romans, Visigoths, Moors (from whence it gets its name – the ‘Garden of Allah’) and even the French occupy, fortify and enrich it. Amazingly, considering the region’s turbulent past and almost continuous state of high alert and invasion, Alhaurin still displays traces of all of its past masters, including Roman ruins, 12th century Moorish architecture (the Arcos de Cobertizo) and there’s probably a French bakery nestled among the winding streets somewhere.
Situated approximately 30km north of Malaga, the surrounding terrain is extremely fertile and attractive, while the climate is wonderfully conducive for living the good life. The centre of town is a mesh of quaint streets, small squares and delightful tapas bars and bodegas, while the countryside that stretches out beyond the town is ideal for hiking and exploring on foot. A dramatic winding mountain road connects the town with the coast, where Marbella and Malaga can both be reached in less than one hour by car.
