Albuñuelas is located to the left of the Río Santo gorge, on the edge of the Sierra de Almijara. Because it is so high up, you get great views of the pine and olive forests punctuated by spectacular gorges. Thanks to the great climate of this area, it offers all sorts of sports: paragliding, canyoning, cave walking and mountaineering. It has two excellent hunting areas extending over 7500 hectares. You will also come across lead, nickel and cobalt mines.
It is well worth exploring the Sierra de las Albuñuelas to see places like the Fuente del Cañuelo, just 10 kilometres from the town along the road that leads to Almuñécar. Legend has it that sometimes, when returning from a mountain walk at dusk, one encounters a strange light that is called the ‘Light of the Rambla”. It accompanies walkers to the mill at the entrance of the village.
This town celebrates the feast day of Our Lady of Sorrows in August. The festivities start on the 15th with statues of the Virgin, San Sebastián and the young Virgin brought out in a procession. At night there are further celebrations and during the day games are organised. Fireworks finish off the festivities.
There are caves near the town centre that indicate that Albuñuelas was a human settlement during Prehistoric times. In the Arab era it was a flourishing town and it is said that its inhabitants resisted the Catholic Monarchs strongly during the Reconquista. The town played an important role in the history of the Moors, many of whom were against the 16th-century rebellion, although this did not prevent their expulsion.
Later, with the repopulation of the town with people from La Mancha, Albuñuelas reached its peak, illustrated by documents found in the archives and by the magnificent façades of some of the houses in town. In 1884 there was a terrible earthquake that caused 102 deaths and the destruction of 362 buildings. Even though this was long ago, some of the ravages of this natural disaster can still be seen today.
Particularly good are the homemade cheeses, goat stews, olive oil and the many local fruits and vegetables. Traditional dishes like stews, soups, migas, tortillas and delicious pastries, (including doughnuts and egg or aniseed bagels) are also very popular.
