Archidona is situated in the northern part of Malaga province, in the Antequera administrative area 20 kilometers from that town, and it borders on the province of Granada. The town itself lies at the foot of the Sierra de Gracia, which is 943 metres above sea level, and is surrounded by the Conjuro peak, 1,013 metres high, and the 971 metre-high Sierra de las Grajas.

Dating back to the Spanish conquest of the area in the 16th century, the town has a rich history, a wealth of natural beauty, such as the Hollín Waterfall, and is great place to buy typically Amazonian artisan crafts.

The most important festival in Archidona is undoubtedly Holy Week, the Semana Santa. Here the very best floats are made, with top quality artwork in the statues carried through the streets at this time. Other big festive events are the carnival in February, the Feria del Perro in June and the big August Feria, in honour of the Virgen de Gracia.

Among the most typical dishes for which Archidona is well-known are the cazuela moruna (Moorish casserole), the egg stew, the porra archidonesa, the sopa ochavada and the gachas de mosto.

NATURAL SORROUNDINGS Archidona is not only a beautiful and historic town, but is also rich in natural surroundings, allowing for rural tourism at its best and a full range of trekking, cycling and general mountain activities. The Lagunas Grande y Chica (Big and Small Lakes) of Archidona have been officially declared a nature reserve of Andaluc?a. It is a humid area of salt water, rich in sulphates and of high ecological value.