Guaro is one of the most charming white towns in Malaga. Keep reading to discover what to see in Guaro and make the most of your getaway.
This precious town, characterised by whitewashed streets and picturesque houses, is located on the Route of the White Villages of Andalucia, which includes several of the towns in the area of Sierra de las Nieves.
The town of Guaro is set on a ground that is rich in almonds and olives, between the valley of river Grande and the mountains. Guaro is also the entrance door of the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park, which has been declared Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and soon-to-be Andalucia’s third national park.
How to get to Guaro
The best way to get to Guaro is by car, by taking A-357 road from Malaga to Campillos. After crossing Cartama, you have to take A-355 road until Coin and, after 3.5 km, you will reach the diversion to the A-6207 road that leads to Guaro.
If you prefer to go by bus, the M-336 line Guaro-Malaga, provided by AVANZA company, takes you from Malaga bus station to the town centre. There are usually two rides per day, one at noon and the other in the late evening. Check the hours to be sure when planning your trip. The L-80 bus line provides service from Marbella to Guaro, with a higher number of buses.
Brief history of Guaro
The area welcomes archaeological traces that date back to the Bronze Age and the Roman times, which are proof of the thousand-year-old human activity in and around Guaro. However, the town as we know it nowadays, had its origin during the Arab domination, when it was called Guaro El Viejo. In 1485, it was conquered by Christians, and, only in 1614, Guaro received the denomination of town.
The Festival of Luna Mora
The best moment for travelling to Guaro and diving into its authentic atmosphere is during the Festival of the Luna Mora (Festival of the Moorish Moon), which is celebrated the first two weekends of September (in 2019, September 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th).
In its narrow streets and spacious squares, which still preserve the design given by its original inhabitants, you will enjoy activities in the afternoon and night shows that re-create the Moorish culture.
The most attractive feature, and what has made the Festival famous in the whole province, is the show that sees 20,000 candles used as the only lighting source. They are arranged to create images that shine in the darkness of the grounds and stairs in the Old Town.
Besides, the Festival is livened up by passacaglia music, concerts, storytellers and workshops, accompanied by Arab-Moorish-Sephardi music. Among the activities, the Zoco of Moorish handicrafts stands out: this peculiar market converts the moment of sales into a real show. During these two weekends, the streets of Guaro become an old market, where you can shop for foods and delicacies such as olive oils, pickled, almond cakes, nougats and chocolates.
Another spot to enjoy the ambience of the Festival is the Auditorium of the Luna Mora, the biggest open-air auditorium in the province of Malaga. Here, charming concerts of Flamenco and Moorish music, as well as dance and theatre shows, take place.
Monuments in Guaro
Parish church of San Miguel Arcángel
The monument that stands out the most is the Church of San Miguel, which was built on the rests of an old Mosque in 1505, and restored after the Spanish Civil War. It features a square-shaped bell-tower and some beautiful images of Saint Michael Archangel, Saint Joseph, the Virgen del Carmen, and Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of Guaro.
The hermitages of Guaro
Guaro features the 18th-century hermitage of La Cruz del Puerto, where the image of Cristo de Limpias is kept, and the 1992-hermitage of San Isidro, located near river Grande and built in the most traditional Andalusian style. The latter welcomes the image of San Isidro during the religious pilgrimage that is held in the Saint’s honour in May.
Centro Cultural Al-Ándalus
This cultural centre, which is dominated by a Mozarab tower, is located in an old olive mill that was used until the 20th century. The goal of the centre is to show the importance of the olive oil for the town’s tradition.
As a matter of fact, the centre’s first floor welcomes the Museo Etnográfico del Aceite (the Ethnographic Museum of Olive Oil). You can enjoy the exhibitions of the equipment that was used when the mill used to work, from granite millstone to advanced pieces of equipment that date back to the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibition’s most important piece is a 12th-century Moorish press.
The ground floor, on the contrary, features the Tourist Office and a Moorish indoor patio, complete with a lovely fountain and a terrace that welcomes several events on weekends.
Fountain of San Isidro Labrador in Guaro
Among the fountains in Guaro, the one of San Isidro Labrador, near the church of San Miguel, stands out. The fountain dates back to the 50s and the mule drivers would gather around it to let their animals drink. The families of the town also used the fountain for water supplies. Nowadays, the fountain acquires a special relevance during the religious pilgrimage of San Isidro, when the Saint is said to impregnate the water in faith.
Two other fountains are also famous in Guaro: the Fuentezuela, located in Nueva street, is a fountain that was casually discovered during some works on the road, and the Fountain of La Rehumbrosa.
Hiking through the Sierra de las Nieves
Another option to fall in love with Guaro is to make the most of its closeness to the Sierra de las Nieves. The wide net of hiking paths let you admire the almond trees (especially during blossom season) and the olive yards that cover the fields around Guaro, as well as appreciate the richness of wildlife that live on the hills of Guaro Alto and Ardite. The three main hiking routes are Guaro-Monda, Guaro-Chery Benítez and Guaro-Puerto Alto, all of which allow you to discover the wonderful setting of Sierra de las Nieves.
Your holiday home in Guaro
If you fancy a getaway to this pretty town, discover the splendid holiday homes in Guaro, or the apartments in the town centre. All holiday rentals offer you the comforts that you will need to make the most of nature and quietness or to enjoy a visit to the town. Don’t miss on the opportunity of booking your holiday rental at the doors of the Sierra de las Nieves.
Cuisine in Guaro
The cuisine of the town is varied. When you visit Guaro, you can taste the “poncima” soup (made of tomatoes, peppers and potatoes), almond soup, sopa hervida and chivo de la sierra al tomillo (a type of meat). Besides, the homes of Guaro always have the gazpachuelo and galipuche at one’s disposal (the latter being a stew made of asparagus, eggs, peppers, potatoes and bread).
And of course, the desserts made of almonds, as this is the main crops of the town. You can relish in almond cakes, Christmas “roscos”, nougats and macaroons.
Interesting data of Guaro
- Surface: 22.50 km2
- Inhabitants: 2,047 (2016)
- Location: Guaro is located in the region of Valle del Guadalhorce, and it’s the main entrance of the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park. The town centre is located 500 metres above sea level, 15 km from Marbella and 50 km from Malaga.
- Average temperature: 17ºC
- Average rainfalls: 660 l/m2
- Webpage: http://www.guaro.es/
Tourist Office of Guaro
The tourist office of Guaro is located on the ground floor of the Centro Cultural Al-Ándalus.
Address: 29, Teja street
Telephone: (+34) 952 45 78 12
You already know what to see in Guaro; enjoy the experience with your five senses. Listen to the fountains and the Moorish music, admire the landscape, flavour its almonds and olive oil and smell the scent of the colourful flowers that decorate the streets of Guaro.
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