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If you’re looking for things to see in Ardales, you’ve come to the town in the province of Málaga that’s home to the Caminito del Rey. Ardales is a white village in the interior of the province of Málaga, situated in the Guadalteba region, around 60 kilometres from the provincial capital. It’s best known for its famous footbridge trail, but the village has a character all of its own and is well worth spending some time exploring.
Ardales has much more to offer than just the Caminito del Rey. Here you’ll find a prehistoric cave with rock art, a castle of Arab origin, three reservoirs that create a blue landscape unusual for the Andalusian interior, and an old town with steep streets. If you’d like to combine a visit to the village with the walk, you can book the excursion to the Caminito del Rey from Malaga, which takes care of both transport and admission on the same day. In this guide, we take a look at the eight places that best encapsulate the town.
The Caminito del Rey is the main reason why most visitors come to Ardales. It is a footpath consisting of walkways suspended from the rock face of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, above the Guadalhorce riverbed. The route is around 7.7 kilometres long from start to finish, with sections suspended at a height of over 100 metres.
The northern entrance to the footpath is situated in the municipality of Ardales, in the area around the Conde de Guadalhorce Reservoir. The route is linear and one-way, so it is advisable to plan your return to the starting point. Entry is limited and in high demand, so it is advisable to book in advance. Before you go, have a look at our Tips for visiting the Caminito del Rey with advice on footwear, opening hours and booking tickets.
Ardales is surrounded by three reservoirs: the Conde de Guadalhorce, the Guadalhorce and the Guadalteba. The Conde de Guadalhorce, also known as the Embalse del Chorro, is the best known and provides access to the northern side of the Caminito del Rey. Its turquoise waters and the surrounding pine forests have earned this area the nickname «el pantano».
It’s a great place to stop off, take a stroll along the shore and have a bite to eat at one of the nearby restaurants. In the warmer months, it’s common to see bathers and non-motorised boats, and kayaks can be hired in the area itself. It has recreational areas and a car park, which are popular with those walking the trail. The shuttle bus to the northern entrance also departs from here.
La Peña Castle, also known as Turón Castle, stands overlooking the old town of Ardales. It is a fortress of Arab origin, built on a hill overlooking the village and the valley. Part of its walls and towers remain, and the Mudejar church stands next to it.
Climbing up to the castle is the best way to get a sense of the layout of the village, with its white houses terraced along the hillside. The views from the top take in the reservoirs and the mountains. You can get there on foot from the centre via steep streets.
The Church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios is the main church in Ardales. It was built on the site of an old mosque and combines Mudejar elements with later alterations. It is situated next to the castle, in the upper part of the town centre, near the Plaza de la Constitución.
Its tower is one of the village’s landmarks. Inside, it houses the statue of the patron saint and an altarpiece of interest. It makes for a quick stop that fits in well with a stroll through the historic centre.
The Desfiladero de los Gaitanes is the gorge through which the Caminito del Rey runs. It is a protected Natural Area and lies within the municipalities of Ardales, Antequera and Álora. The vertical cliffs rise to over 300 metres in height in places.
Beyond the boardwalk trail, the area offers walking routes, opportunities to spot birds of prey such as the griffon vulture, and limestone landscapes. It is also a popular area for rock climbing and via ferrata in the vicinity of El Chorro, and from here you can access the Sierra del Huma and the famous ‘Arab stairs’. It is an area of great geological value and one of the most iconic natural sites in the inland region of Málaga.
The Ardales Cave is one of the town’s major attractions and, for many, its most unique sight. It is a cave containing prehistoric rock art, including very ancient paintings and engravings, some of which are attributed to Neanderthal populations. Owing to its significance, it is regarded as one of the most important rock art sites in southern Europe.
It is situated about 4 kilometres from the town centre and access is restricted: visits are only permitted as part of a guided tour and by prior booking, to ensure the preservation of the paintings. Admission costs €15 for adults aged 12 and over and €5 for children aged 8 to 12, and visits are organised through the Ardales Museum. You can check the latest details at the official information from Ardales Town Council.
The Ardales Museum houses archaeological artefacts from the town and the surrounding area, with a particular focus on the Ardales Cave and human settlement in the area since prehistoric times. It is also the starting point for guided tours of the cave.
It is located at Avenida de Málaga 1, right at the entrance to the village, and is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm; admission is €3. A tour of the museum’s galleries helps to put what you’ll later see in the cave into context, so it’s a good idea to book in advance if you want to visit both the museum and the cave on the same day.
Ardales is a good base from which to extend your route to other parts of the Málaga hinterland. Ronda is just under an hour’s drive away, along mountain roads offering fine views. It is a popular choice for those who have more than a day to spare.
In Ronda, you can see the Puente Nuevo bridge over the Tajo, the historic centre and the bullring, one of the oldest in Spain. Combining a visit to Ardales and Ronda allows you to experience nature, prehistory and architectural heritage all in one getaway through the mountains of Málaga.
Ardales is about 60 kilometres from Málaga city centre, around an hour’s drive away. The most direct route links the A-357 (Málaga–Campillos) with the local roads leading up to the village and the reservoirs. It’s the most convenient way to get around, especially if you want to travel between the village centre, the cave and the Caminito del Rey.
Access to the Caminito del Rey has its own car park facilities and a shuttle bus service between the two ends of the walkway. If you’re travelling by public transport, there are bus services from Málaga, although they run infrequently. To ensure your day trip is well organised with transport sorted, the guided tour from the city centre is the simplest option.
If you’re planning to spend the day in the area around the footpath, do have a look at our guide to Where to eat at the Caminito del Rey to book a restaurant near the entrances.
In a single day, you can explore the old town, including the Castillo de la Peña and the Church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, visit the Ardales Cave (booking required) and head to the Conde de Guadalhorce Reservoir. If you book the Caminito del Rey, set aside most of the day for it, as the walk takes several hours.
Ardales is a municipality in the province of Málaga, in the Guadalteba region, in the interior of Andalusia. It is situated some 60 kilometres from the city of Málaga – about an hour’s drive – next to the Conde de Guadalhorce, Guadalhorce and Guadalteba reservoirs.
The northern entrance to the Caminito del Rey is situated in the municipality of Ardales, in the area of the Conde de Guadalhorce Reservoir. This is why Ardales is known as the village of the Caminito del Rey, even though the path runs through the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge and also extends into the municipalities of Antequera and Álora.
Yes, but access is restricted. The Ardales Cave can only be visited as part of a guided tour and by prior booking, in order to protect its prehistoric rock art. Visits are organised through the Ardales Museum, where it is advisable to check opening times and availability in advance.
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