Velez-Malaga – Malaga

Capital of La Axarquia, Velez-Malaga in Malaga province often simply referred to as Velez. It is the centre of an agricultural region known for its strawberries and vineyards, which produce the muscatel grapes from which the famous Malaga wines are made. The town of Velez-Malaga which is located some 4 km inland from the bustling beaches of Torre del Mar. If you are in Velez on a Thursday, take time to wander around its weekly market, always an enjoyable experience.

Local information

Ayuntamiento de Velez-Malaga
Plaza Carmelitas 12, 29700 Velez-Malaga (Malaga)
Telephone: 952-559-100
https://www.velezmalaga.es/


Residents 78166	Health Clinic	Bars, shops, restaurants	Schools	Municipal pool	Beach 10 min

Golf nearby	Antequera 84Km Malaga 49Km Granada 90Km Seville 243Km	Bus and train services	Malaga airport 48Km	Granada airport 90Km	Seville airport 243Km

Gallery

Main information

Aside from it being a market city, Velez-Malaga in Malaga part of Axarquia also has some interesting tourist attractions like the Palace of El Marques de Beniel, Church of Nuestra Senora de la Encarnacion, La Casa Cervantes (home of the famous playwright, Miguel de Cervantes de Saavedra), Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, and even the remnants of an Arab fort.

The oldest part of the town, known as Arrabal de San Sebastian, is a picturesque area of narrow streets. You will also come across attractive mansions built during the 16th and 17th centuries, including the restored Palacio del Marques de Beniel, Plaza Palacio 1 which hosts the International Summer School of the Axarquia covering all aspects of culture including flamenco concerts.

The Moorish castle is the landmark of Velez-Malaga and worth visiting especially for the view and orientation. You will notice it is in very good condition for a Moorish tower. The main tower was completely reconstructed in 1970, when only a small part of the west wall remained. It had been popularly known as the ‘El Deo’. The tower today is 18m tall and 6.5m square base. This is larger than the original and in four storeys. It is kept locked and only open for special events.

Fiestas

Semana Santa – Velez-Malaga boasts the province’s most spectacular Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions. 19 ‘brotherhoods’ known as Cofradias take it in turns during the week to parade their ‘trono’ around the streets of old Velez, to the music of the trumpet and cornet. Each ‘trono’; a giant float bearing huge statues of Jesus Christ or the Virgin Mary, is carried by the men of the cofradia and each one has a set route, starting with the ‘salida’ (departure) and ‘encierro’ (closure) at a specific time.
September – Velez-Malaga’s fair runs over the last weekend of September
28 September – San Miguel (Saint Michael) is a local holiday. Expect to see ladies and girls in traditional Malaguenas flamenco dresses and different ‘casetas’ offering food, drink, music and more. At night the festivities move to the ground next to the El Ingenio shopping centre with a more casetas and fairground attractions.