Alora Travel Guide

Alora is a beautiful small Spanish inland town in the Costa del Sol, home to just 14,000 inhabitants Alora is situated 40km from Malaga. A blend of the ancient, the traditional, and the modern, the town is a wonderful place to enjoy a short relaxing and peaceful holiday. With a half hour drive from the striking Guadalhorce Lake and El Chorro Gorge, this bleached Andalucían town overlooks the Valle del Sol (Valley of the Sun).

Much like most Andalucian villages, Alora too is like a charming hamlet on its way to becoming a tourist hub with international standard amenities, classy music bars, and refreshing pavement cafes. One of the most fascinating aspects of Alora is its history. Rich in ancient history and drenched in warm, glowing sunshine, the pueblo of Alora is a delightful mystery waiting to be unraveled by those lucky tourists who have heard of it and therefore, want to visit it!

With its 'small town appeal' intact, Alora has attracted many British property investors who have brought lovely villas and apartments as holiday homes. Its proximity to Malaga Airport and the Costa del Sol region, further attract both buyers and investors to Alora. The great climate and stunning surroundings make Alora the perfect place for a holiday or short break. Here are some of the highlights of Alora and the surrounding area…

Alora Attractions

An ideal travel destination for a day full of history and natural grandeur, Alora’s inland location allows adventurous tourists plenty of opportunity to explore the surrounding countryside. Some of the most spectacular attractions in Alora are:

Castillo Arabe – An old Arab Castle built on Cerro de las Torres hill offers a mind-blowing view of the town below. It’s a short, steep walk from the village center.

Plaza Arriba & Plaza Bajo – The upper and lower square are surrounded with excellent examples of traditional Spanish architecture. The tiled area is an apt place to amble around or visit the many delightful restaurants and bars that are located around them.

Semana Santa – These are a series of processions taken out during Easter time. This is a time when the pueblo comes alive with music, merriment, and fun. Alora’s people participate in a week long fun-filled affair that includes musical concerts, and various cultural events. Also during the first week of September, visitors can enjoy watching floats and horsemen parade in Romeria. This parade is a colorful and exciting event and is regarded as one of the main annual highlights for Alora’s residents.

The Chapel of the Torres – Located inside the Old castle, this is a famous Chapel that predates the 15th Century.

Cervantes Theatre – Opposite the Theatre, the monument (with its musical theme) is a symbol of tribute to the Spanish Flamenco, as Alora is the ‘Cradle of the Malaguena’, and the place where flamenco was born.

Alora Beaches

As Alora is an inland town, it doesn’t have any beaches. However there are plenty of fantastic beaches just a short trip away along the Costa del Sol coastline.

Alora Shopping

The Monday morning market is an excellent place to buy fresh produce as well as discounted clothing. Alora also has a variety of small gift shops that are popular with tourists and holidaymakers.

Alora Restaurants

The Plazas, with their traditional tapas and Spanish restaurants, are good options to sample Sopa Perota, Alora’s most well-known dish. Most restaurants have reasonable prices and offer a mean local menu. Most bars and restaurants have English-speaking staff. However, those who do manage to speak some Spanish are welcomed with huge smiles!

Alora Nightlife

Both the town squares are good places to find some exciting nightlife. However, the nightlife in Alora is still mostly a quiet and peaceful affair. For those looking for a more flamboyant nightlife Marbella and Puerto Banus are about one hours drive away, although it’s better to take a taxi if you’re planning on have a drink!

Alora Accommodation

Alora has many rental properties such as apartments and villas as well as good hotels and B&B’s. Alora is also popular with daytrippers staying in other resorts in the Costa del Sol region.