Antequera on the Costa Del Sol

Population - 40,000 Distance from Malaga airport: 21 Miles (34KMS)

Antequera feels a world away from the excesses of the kiss-me-quick coast , and provides one of the region's historical and architechtural showpieces. Nestled among steep, rugged mountain peaks, it is a thriving settlement with a perfectly preserved ancient center and some world class prehistoric sights.

Boasting everything from Neolithic dolmens to a ninth-century Moorish Castle and some of Andalucia's finest baroque interiors, the town encapsulates the history of the entire region, which in the last 2,000 years, has passed through Roman, Arab and Christian hands. The result is a fascinating synthesis of all three periods.

Known even to the Romans as 'Antiquaria' or the 'Ancient City', Antequera was probably a significant settlement as far back as 2,500 BC. The size and sophistication of the town's three dolmens, which would have required hundreds of men to build them, suggest the presence of large, well-organised prehistoric community of nobles and workers with powerful leaders and strong religious beliefs.

Upon the arrival of the Romans in the first century AD came great wealth and magnificent villas. One such mansion is currently being excavated near the station, many of the mosaics and priceless artefacts are now on show at the town's Museo Municipal.

Antequera's monuments & points of interest

1. Arco de los Gigantes - imposing triumphal arch was erected in 1585 by Felipe II, known as Spain's oldest and smallest open-air museum
2. Alcazaba - occupies the highest point in the town

1. Torre del Homenaje - can normally be visited 10am-2pm

2. La Peña de los Enamorados - (Lover's Rock) known colloquially as 'Franco's Nose'. Shaped liked the head of a sleeping giant, this huge natural formation is located halfway between Antequera and neighbouring Archidona.
3. Real Colegiata de Santa Maria la Mayor - church is the principal feature of the beautifully proportioned Plaza de los Escribanos
4. Museo Conventual de las Descalzas - the first of the town's two small but interesting museums
5. Museo Municipal - Once the private residence of aristocratic Nájera family, the palacio has an interior courtyard now used to display Roman artefacts
6. San Sebastian - 16th century building on Plaza San Sebastian, which succeeded Santa Maria as the town's principal center of learning in the late 17th century
7. Capilla Tribuna del Portichuelo - houses the the Virgen del Socorro, a key focus in the town's Semana Santa celebrations
8. Church of Santiago - stands side by side at the junction of Cuesta de Archidona and Calle de Bélen with the ornate 17th century baroque Convento de Bélen
9. Dolmen de Viera & Dolmen de Menga - Menga Dolmen roughly 4,500 years old and probably the tomb of an important nobleman

Where to eat & drink in Antequera
Most of Antequera's (very limited) nightlife is to be found in the bars and (lifting the lid on tapas) tapas joints along Calle Alameda.

* El Angelote- one of Antequera's best known eateries. Local speciality being 'porra antequera' (a dip like gazpacho)
* Bar/Restaurant Plaza San Sebastian - ideal for tapas and raciones
* Caserío de San Benito - one of the region's best restuarants and is well worth the 20KM drive from Antequera
* El Escribano - A simple restaurant with tables spilling out onto the Plaza, serving good, traditional dishes
* Rstaurant La Espuela - The first Spanish restaurant located inside a bullring

Where to stay in Antequera
The list below is for hotels that are decent and located centrally in Antequera and include direct links to their websites.

* Hotel Cólon Antequera - www.castelcolon.com
* Hotel Antequera Golf - town's parador is a comfortable and modern building, located juts outside the center - www.hotelantequera.com
* A new building in the heart of the town, the Castilla is comfortable although the rooms are rather bland but are equipped with satellite television and air conditioning - www.castillahotel.com

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