Raisin Route (Ruta de la Pasa)

Tip: Do not drive into the small villages: the narrow, steep streets are difficult or inaccessible to cars. Park along the access road or in a parking lot just outside the village. This route runs through the southwest of the Axarquia, close to the city of Malaga and leads to the foothills of the Montes de Malaga. Beautiful views, small charming villages that have been producing excellent wines since the time of the Romans, rolling vineyards and bandit nests: you will encounter it all during this route. This area is particularly known for its raisins and during the harvest season you will see 'raisin beds' everywhere on the hills where the Moscatel grape is dried.

The raisins are used to produce sweet, white Muscat wines. Approximately 200,000 kilos of raisins are produced in the Axarquia annually. Also during this route you will see that many of the villages have retained a Moorish character, thanks to the seven centuries of Arab rule in this part of Spain.

Totalan This nice, small white village is located at an altitude of 290 meters, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and almond trees. The Totalan river flows through here, which is dry most months of the year. In the center, on the picturesque village square, you will find the parish church of Santa Ana.

Comares The Arab village of Comares is built on a rock and can be seen from afar. It is located at an altitude of 720 meters and is therefore also called the balcony of Axarquia. In the area you will see many small farms that form dots in the landscape and mainly grow grapes, olives and almonds. In the maze of narrow streets in the center there are tiles in the shape of footsteps. These form a route along the most important sights. In the center you will find the Segrario chapel from 1721 and the Nuestra Señora de la Encarnacion church built in 1505 in Mudejar style. At the highest point there is still part of La Tahona, once part of the castle of Comares.

Now you will find a special cemetery there that is definitely worth a visit. As with many Spanish cemeteries, the graves here are stacked on top of each other and the windows at the front form small memorial temples. The view of the surroundings from here is beautiful! You will see the remains of the old forts in the higher part of this city. The remains of an ancient Roman fortress were used by the Arabs to build a fortress, which together with the fortress at Velez-Malaga and Ben Tomiz were the main defense centers in Axarquia. You will also find water depots in Comares that date back to Arab times.

Cútar Cútar is a quiet, charming and traditional village. Cútar is also a 'pueblo Blanco' (white village), a legacy of the Moorish domination of this area. Situated on a hill 330 meters above sea level, Cútar slopes down into the valleys offering beautiful views of a landscape dominated by vineyards and olive trees. Due to the very mild semi-tropical climate, farmers here grow mangoes, avocados, citrus fruits, dates, figs, pomegranate, guava, sugar cane and the heavy, delicious Muscat grapes. These grapes are dried into raisins and later processed into the famous Moscatel dessert wine. At the entrance to the village you will find beautifully landscaped gardens in Moorish style and remains of a unique fountain (fuente Árabe) from Moorish times. The Iglesia de la Virgen de la Encarnación from the 16th century was built in Mudejar style.

El Borge El Borge is an authentic Andalusian white village where time seems to have stood still and where tourists are not yet part of the regular street scene. Although the village was founded by the Phoenicians in the 4th century BC, it exudes the atmosphere of the later Moorish rule. One of the two towers of Iglesia de Nuestra Señora Rosario is designed in the typical Mudejar architectural style. El Borge is located 230 meters above sea level. A traditionally important source of income is grape cultivation (moscatel), from which wine and delicious raisins are made. The grapes are left to dry on the hills around the village. The village was once allowed to pay its taxes in raisins. One day a year, mid-September, El Borge is the center of the region. On Dia de la Pasa (raisin day), the new harvest is presented and tried with a grand celebration. On the flatter parts there are avocado, lemon and mango trees. The famous bandit Luis Munoz Garcia, better known as El Bizco de El Borge (the Cross-eyed) was born here in the 19th century. In his honor there is a small museum with restaurant in the village: Posada del Bandolero.

Almáchar This nice village is located in the heart of the Axarquía and is the center of the raisin route. It is located on a small hill between the rivers El Borge and Almáchar, in a landscape surrounded by olive trees, cereals and rolling hills. The area is dotted with vineyards and 'paseros', places where raisins are dried. Like most villages in this area, Almáchar is of Arab origin, with the typical urban structure of steep, winding, narrow streets with whitewashed houses. Be sure to see the Iglesia de San Mateo from the 16th century and don't miss the Musea de la Pasa (raisin museum). If you want to have lunch here, try their famous 'Ajoblanco': a cold soup, made with garlic and almonds, served with grapes.

Moclinejo The village is located 450 meters above sea level and on rugged terrain. Hills, valleys and ravines alternate. The Valdes and Granadilla rivers only contain water when it has rained heavily for a few days. The strong almond and olive trees can survive very well on this site and the grape also does well here. Moclinejo is originally a Moorish village. The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Gracia was built in the 16th century in Moorish style and is the main attraction of the village. Furthermore, it is just nice to take a short walk here and enjoy the landscape. With spectacular views over the Bay of Malaga and close proximity to the coast, Moclinejo is a sought after village to live in. From here you drive back to the coast, towards Rincon de la Victoria.

Rincon de la Victoria The town is practically attached to the city of Malaga, but Rincon de la Victoria still has its own character. The city lives mainly from tourism and the beach is quite wide and well maintained. Excavations and finds have shown that the city has been inhabited for a long time and many remains can still be found. Almost at the beginning of the city is the completely walled Bezmiliana Castle, built in the 18th century. You will also find the Cueva del Tesoro (Cave of Treasure) here, where you can still admire old drawings from the Old Stone Age. It is nice to eat a portion of the famous grilled sardines here on the beach.

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