{"id":76832,"date":"2024-02-15T12:36:13","date_gmt":"2024-02-15T11:36:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/visitanddo_1790.test\/?p=76832"},"modified":"2026-10-01T05:13:01","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T03:13:01","slug":"what-to-see-in-ardales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/what-to-see-in-ardales\/","title":{"rendered":"What to see in Ardales, the village on the Caminito del Rey trail"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you\u2019re looking for things to see in Ardales, you\u2019ve come to the town in the province of M\u00e1laga that\u2019s home to the Caminito del Rey. Ardales is a white village in the interior of the province of M\u00e1laga, situated in the Guadalteba region, around 60 kilometres from the provincial capital. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n

Ardales has much more to offer than just the Caminito del Rey. Here you\u2019ll 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\u2019d like to combine a visit to the village with the walk, you can book the excursion to the Caminito del Rey from Malaga<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What to see in Malaga in 3 days<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

8 places to visit in Ardales<\/h2>\n\n

Caminito del Rey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> with advice on footwear, opening hours and booking tickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Conde de Guadalhorce Reservoir<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ardales is surrounded by three reservoirs: Conde de Guadalhorce, Guadalhorce and Guadalteba. Conde de Guadalhorce, also known as El Chorro Reservoir, is the best known and provides access to the northern end of the Caminito del Rey. Its turquoise waters and surrounding pine woods have earned this area the nickname \u201cel pantano\u201d.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Tur\u00f3n Castle (de la Pe\u00f1a)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Ruins<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

La Pe\u00f1a Castle, also known as Tur\u00f3n 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

Church of Our Lady of Los Remedios<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Church<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Church of Nuestra Se\u00f1ora 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 Constituci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

Its tower is one of the village\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n

Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Nature Reserve<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Via<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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 \u00c1lora. The vertical cliffs rise to over 300 metres in height in places.<\/p>\n

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 \u2018Arab stairs\u2019. It is an area of great geological value and one of the most iconic natural sites in the inland region of M\u00e1laga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Ardales Cave (cave art)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Inside<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Ardales Cave is one of the town\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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 \u20ac15 for adults aged 12 and over and \u20ac5 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Ardales Museum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Ardales<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n

It is located at Avenida de M\u00e1laga 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 \u20ac3. A tour of the museum\u2019s galleries helps to put what you\u2019ll later see in the cave into context, so it\u2019s a good idea to book in advance if you want to visit both the museum and the cave on the same day.<\/p>\n\n

Day trip to Ronda from Ardales<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ardales is a good base from which to extend your route to other parts of the M\u00e1laga hinterland. Ronda is just under an hour\u2019s drive away, along mountain roads offering fine views. It is a popular choice for those who have more than a day to spare.<\/p>\n

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 M\u00e1laga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

How to get to Ardales<\/h2>\n

Ardales is about 60 kilometres from M\u00e1laga city centre, around an hour\u2019s drive away. The most direct route links the A-357 (M\u00e1laga\u2013Campillos) with the local roads leading up to the village and the reservoirs. It\u2019s the most convenient way to get around, especially if you want to travel between the village centre, the cave and the Caminito del Rey.<\/p>\n

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\u2019re travelling by public transport, there are bus services from M\u00e1laga, 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.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re 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<\/a> to book a restaurant near the entrances.<\/p>\n\n

Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n

What to see in Ardales in a day?<\/h3>\n

In a single day, you can explore the old town, including the Castillo de la Pe\u00f1a and the Church of Nuestra Se\u00f1ora 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.<\/p>\n\n

Where is Ardales?<\/h3>\n

Ardales is a municipality in the province of M\u00e1laga, in the Guadalteba region, in the interior of Andalusia. It is situated some 60 kilometres from the city of M\u00e1laga \u2013 about an hour\u2019s drive \u2013 next to the Conde de Guadalhorce, Guadalhorce and Guadalteba reservoirs.<\/p>\n\n

What is the connection between Ardales and the Caminito del Rey?<\/h3>\n

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 \u00c1lora.<\/p>\n\n

Can you visit Ardales Cave?<\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n