Discover Antequera & El Torcal

Behold the haunting beauty and geological wonders in the Natural Park of El Torcal and then explore the historical landmarks in the nearby village of Antequera.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a leisurely drive inland to the Natural Park of El Torcal, a karst limestone landscape that was covered by the sea millions of years ago. As the water receded over time, it exposed the imprint of marine skeletons and shells.

Parts of the porous limestone also eroded, leaving an abundance of caves and towering stacks of rock. You will observe these unusual geological structures and marine fossils in the rocks on a short walk through the stark terrain.

Along the way, the guide will describe the history of El Torcal and the effect of the inhabitants who quarried the limestone. Although the last village in El Torcal has long been abandoned, rock dwellings still remain. If you spot birds, chances are they are griffon vultures.

Continuing on, you will soon arrive Antequera, a town whose architecture bears Roman, Moorish and Spanish influences. Many of the buildings date to medieval times, and the town's stone monuments known as dolmens are estimated to have been built in 3,000 BC.

As you may discover during free time, Antequera also has an abundance of churches, its most well-known being the Church of El Carmen, which features a magnificent Mudéjar coffered ceiling. The Real Colegiata de Santa Maria La Mayor church is also worth a look.