Benalauria, a white village in the Genal Valley

Benalauria is a white village in the Genal Valley, in the Serrania de Ronda in the west of Malaga province. Its houses cluster on a hillside, with narrow, steep lanes looking out towards the valley’s mountains and woodland. You can explore the historic centre, have lunch in the village and spend the rest of the day walking in the surrounding countryside or visiting nearby villages.

The main sights include the old mill housing the Ethnographic Museum, Plaza del Teniente Viñas and the Torreon de la Virgen del Rosario watchtower. In August, villagers perform the Moors and Christians festival in the streets; in autumn, the chestnut trees change the scenery along the paths around the village.

History of Benalauria

The village’s origins are linked to Berber settlement in the Serrania de Ronda during the period of al-Andalus. Its name is usually associated with the Banu al Auria group.

After the Christian conquest of the area in 1485, Benalauria became part of a lordship alongside Benadalid. In the 16th century, many of its inhabitants were Moriscos: Muslims baptised as Christians and their descendants. The 1570 rebellion, the subsequent expulsion of the Moriscos and resettlement by new inhabitants profoundly changed village life.

Farming continued to shape the local economy and landscape. The Ethnographic Museum explores this past through olive oil and wine production and the tools used to work the land.

Things to see in Benalauria

The village centre is explored on foot, with slopes and flights of steps along the way. You can start at Plaza del Teniente Viñas, visit the church and museum, then continue to the viewpoints. Wear comfortable shoes for the climb to the watchtower.

• Ethnographic Museum: Housed in an old 18th-century mill, the museum preserves an animal-powered olive mill, wine presses and farming tools. A visit explains how oil and wine were made and how rural work was organised. (Ethnographic Museum map)
• Torreon de la Virgen del Rosario: This former watchtower above the village overlooks the Genal Valley and nearby mountains. A small altar dedicated to the Virgen del Rosario stands beside its remains. (Watchtower map)
• La Alberca washhouse: This old communal washing place recalls the village’s water supply and everyday chores. It stands beside the start of the Paseo a los Arroyos path. (Washhouse map)
• Plaza del Fresnillo: Near the museum, this square has a viewpoint over the Genal Valley. It makes a good place to pause and take in the scenery while exploring the upper streets. (Plaza del Fresnillo map)
• Santo Domingo de Guzmán Church: Its origins are linked to the Christian conquest in the late 15th century. It was rebuilt in the late 16th century and restored in the early 19th. The figures of Santo Domingo de Guzmán and the Virgen del Rosario are venerated inside. (Church map)

The historic centre and Plaza del Teniente Viñas

Plaza del Teniente Viñas is one of the village’s main meeting places. The town hall stands here, with exposed brickwork, barred windows and a long balcony with wrought-iron railings. The building also takes part in the Moors and Christians performance, serving as a castle.

From the square, you can continue past whitewashed houses, small squares and lanes that follow the slope of the hill. The Moros y Cristianos viewpoint, near the town hall, looks out over the village houses and the valley’s woodland.

Walking and nature in Benalauria

The countryside around Benalauria combines chestnut trees, cork oaks, holm oaks and Portuguese oaks. There are paths for a stroll near the village as well as mountain walks with substantial climbs. Choose a route to suit the distance and level of effort you have in mind.

• Bosque de Cobre paths: In autumn, chestnut leaves turn parts of the Genal Valley yellow, ochre and red. The name Bosque de Cobre, or ‘Copper Forest’, refers to this seasonal landscape rather than a single walking trail. Benalauria has a signposted access point for one of these routes. (Access point on the map)
• Climb to the watchtower: This path takes you up to the former watchtower for a view of the village from above. The route is short but includes slopes and uneven ground. (Access to the watchtower path)
• Paseo a los Arroyos: This walk starts near La Alberca washhouse and follows rural paths close to the village. (Start of the Paseo a los Arroyos walk)
• Camino del Moril and SL-A 408 trail: The Del Moril al Quemaillo trail follows old paths through the surrounding woodland. It is around 4.8 km long, with about 450 metres of total ascent: a considerable climb for a short route. (Camino del Moril map)

The GR-141, Gran Senda de la Serrania de Ronda, also passes through Benalauria. Stage 4 links Benarraba with Benalauria, while stage 5 continues to Alpandeire via Benadalid and Atajate. These are point-to-point routes, so you will need to arrange your return if you walk a full stage.

Before setting off, check the course and condition of your chosen trail. The Google Maps links show places and access points; use the route’s own map or track file to follow a complete walk.

Festivals and traditions

Moors and Christians and the Santo Domingo festival

The Moors and Christians performance takes place on the first Sunday in August, during the local festival in honour of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. In the streets and squares, villagers re-enact the 1501 rebellion of the Mudéjars, Muslims living under Christian rule. The two main scenes are El Cautiverio and El Rescate, or the Capture and the Rescue.

The performance depicts the capture of the church and the patron saint’s statue, followed by their recovery. The celebration is recognised as a Festival of Tourist Interest in Andalusia. Each year’s programme lists performance times and the festival’s other activities.

Craft and food fair

Around the public holidays in early December, Benalauria holds its craft and food fair, with local produce and work by craftspeople from the Genal Valley. You can browse the stalls, try the area’s food and take a walk around the village. Dates and activities are announced in the programme for each edition.

What to eat in Benalauria

Local cooking shares the mountain traditions of the Genal Valley: stews, garden produce, seasonal wild plants, pork and cured meats. Fennel features prominently in some recipes.

• Ollas serranas: These rustic stews use whatever is available in season, including vegetables and wild plants such as tagarninas, an edible thistle.
• Chickpea and fennel stews: These are familiar dishes in the local kitchen, with fennel adding its aniseed flavour to some recipes.
• Cured meats and pork dishes: Linked to the tradition of home pig slaughter, these are served both as tapas and in more substantial meals.
• Garden produce: Vegetables and fruit grown in the valley change with the seasons.

How to get to Benalauria from Malaga

The village is reached via the MA-8306, a turn-off from the A-369 between Ronda and Gaucin. The final stretch follows a winding mountain road.

From Malaga Airport, one option is to follow the A-7 or AP-7 along the coast, passing Marbella and Estepona towards Manilva. From there, take the A-377 towards Gaucin, then the A-369 towards Ronda. You pass Algatocin before reaching the turn-off for Benalauria.

You can also travel via Ronda, approaching from inland via Ardales or from the coast on the A-397. From Ronda, follow the A-369 towards Gaucin until the Benalauria turn-off. Allow around two hours from the airport, depending on the route, traffic and stops.

Explore Benalauria and the Genal Valley villages by car

A car lets you combine Benalauria with Benadalid, Algatocin or Ronda and plan village visits and access to walking trails without relying on public transport connections.

car hire Malaga airport

Taxi or private transfer to Benalauria

If you would prefer to travel from the airport without driving or changing transport, you can book a taxi or private transfer to your accommodation in Benalauria.

Book a taxi or transfer

*No advance payment is required and cancellation is free. We therefore recommend booking ahead to secure vehicle availability and the price.

Bus and train

If you are travelling by public transport from Malaga, you can first take a bus to Ronda or check rail connections with Renfe. Look up the options for your travel date and any changes required.

From Ronda, you can continue to Benalauria by taxi. Another option is to take a Transportes Generales Comes bus to Benadalid and complete the journey by taxi. Before choosing this combination, check outward and return bus times and arrange the final leg.

If you arrive in Ronda by train and continue by bus, allow time to get from the railway station to the bus station.

Tourist information for Benalauria

For festival programmes or information to help plan visits to cultural attractions, contact the town hall or consult the official tourism website.