Vélez-Malaga

The Moorish Castle sits up above the town, it is 13th Century and is the towns main feature. It has been well restored. There are good views of the surrounding countryside from up here.

Capital of La Axarquía, Vélez-Malaga, often simply referred to as Vélez, is the centre of an agricultural region known for its strawberries and vineyards, which produce the muscatel grapes from which the famous Málaga wines are made.

Not far to the northeast of Axarquia, it perches precariously at the top of a ravine where the Rio Alhama carves through otherwise rolling countryside. It is well worth a visit for its picturesque location and thermal springs just outside of the town.

After driving through the town, the springs are found by taking the turn-off to the left before the bridge over the Rio Alhama. Follow for a kilometre or so, through a dramatic gorge to the end of the lane.