Visit the Church of Carmen
There are 33 churches in Antequera (yes, really!) and it is the Spanish city with the most churches per capita. There are Baroque churches (San Juan de Dios), others that are more Renaissance in style (Santa María la Mayor), some that are small (Santiago) and others that are very large (San Pedro).
But if only one is to be highlighted, it is the Church of Carmen.
This imposing temple is located in the upper part of the city, almost hanging over the landscape. It is impressive even from the outside. The best views of this church can be seen from the Niña de Antequera viewpoint or the Puerta de Granada viewpoint.
Once inside, several things surprise you: its magnificent Mudejar coffered ceiling covering the entire nave, its incredible altarpiece on the main altar that extends up to the beautiful Mannerist dome, and when you get closer, the two side altarpieces loom over you, enveloping you in Baroque theatricality. And what can be said about the colorful paintings that cover the walls like trompe l'oeil, imitating fabrics?
The Church of El Carmen is undoubtedly the jewel of Baroque art in the province of Malaga and is a must-see if you visit Antequera. Here are the updated opening hours for visiting.
If you have time and want to enjoy a guided tour with a local guide who loves their city and is trained in Fine Arts, take a look at our proposal: guided tour of Antequera.
Eating (a pork loin sandwich and other items) at Arte de Tapas…
It's like eating in paradise (or so I imagine!).
If you enjoy traditional, local cuisine, you can't miss this place. Arte de Tapas and Arte de Cozina (same establishment, two different concepts) is a benchmark in the province of Málaga.
An 18th-century house with a beautiful courtyard with a fireplace and a very cozy living room.
A charming family who will pamper you and give you advice. Charo, Fran, and Luis are the heart and soul of this place, where you'll feel right at home from the moment you walk through the door.
From the menu, what can I say, you'll want to order everything!
Pork loin, pringá muffin, cod cracklings, orange porra, spinach porrilla… just writing about it makes my mouth water!
In short, an extensive menu of delicious tapas and a wine list (local wines, thank you!) that will blow your mind without breaking the bank!
A must-see in Antequera that you can't miss.
Oh, and if you want to stay in this house, that's possible too! All the information is here: Arte de Cozina
Search for (and find!) ammonites in El Torcal
You may be wondering what an ammonite is (here is the scientific definition from Wikipedia, followed by my humble explanation!).
Well, it's a small marine animal (or rather, it was, because it's now extinct) that has been petrified in the limestone rocks of El Torcal.
How?
What were those animals doing up there on the mountain?
Previously, they were at the bottom of the Tethys Sea, which covered almost all of present-day Andalusia (about 200 million years ago). As these mollusks died, their shells were deposited on the sea floor, becoming completely covered with sand and sediment. And about 20 million years ago, when the Alpine Orogeny (the collision of tectonic plates) began, the Sierra del Torcal emerged from the water and the ammonites began to "flourish"!
Today, you can observe (but not pick up or take away!) dozens of fossils in this magical sea of stones. You can also find belemnites, but we'll tell you all about that (and more) on our exclusive tour of El Torcal: Walking among Ammonites (and we'll take you there by van!).
If you prefer to go on your own (but you won't see any ammonites), here is all the information about the Torcal Visitor Center.
Contemplate the views from the Veracruz Chapel
Antequera has many viewpoints from which it is always a pleasure to contemplate this large white village with its bell towers, castle, and mountains.
And the viewpoint that offers the best views is undoubtedly the Mirador de la Ermita de la Veracruz, which can be reached from the Quinta neighborhood, either by car or on foot.
This viewpoint is not like the others.
From there, you can get a very clear idea of Antequera's geographical location: El Torcal to the south, with the small white town at its feet, featuring the Alcazaba, the Royal Collegiate Church, and the Church of El Carmen on high.
To the north lies the large, fertile Vega de Antequera, where the dolmens are located.
Fields stretching as far as the eye can see on the outskirts of Archidona, Mollina, and Bobadilla, and then mountains again.
This makes it very easy to understand the origins of this city in the Neolithic period and why several civilizations settled in this area thousands of years ago.
The Veracruz viewpoint is the perfect place to watch the sunrise or sunset in Antequera.
Have a beer at La Socorrilla
After visiting the upper part of the city, you'll surely want to enjoy the sun while drinking a cold beer. Well, Bar la Socorrilla is the place for you.
It's a curious, authentic bar that sometimes causes controversy because part of its terrace is at the foot of the Capilla Tribuna del Socorro chapel, and some people don't like that very much. As a foreigner (French, if you prefer), I really like these cultural contrasts where traditional and popular elements mix, and this place is one of my favorites in Antequera.
With your beer, you can try a tapa of Carrillada de María, the bar's founder. It's finger-licking good. Here's a video from Andalucía Directo.
The menu features traditional cuisine at affordable prices. There is always a great atmosphere, the waiters are friendly, it is sunny at lunchtime, and sometimes you can hear clapping and flamenco music on the terrace.
And in the afternoon, when you've finished visiting Antequera, I recommend stopping by Callejón San Agustín to continue enjoying the great atmosphere.
In this beautiful passageway filled with greenery, you'll find Le Bistrot, a veritable institution where you can continue drinking beer, and Mesón Juan Manuel, right next door if you feel like eating (well!).
If you want more recommendations for (good) places to eat in Antequera, I recommend reading the blog polloasaoconensalada.com.
Important note: the recommendations for places to eat in Antequera are entirely personal and are not influenced by any commercial collaboration with any of these establishments.
If they appear here, it's because I love good food, drinking beer and wine with friends in places that excite me and that I feel confident recommending because I know they won't disappoint.
