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Written by Savi, 13 Comments

We would definitely be millionaires if we had a penny for every time someone mentioned ‘Costa Del Sol’ and ‘Beaches’ in the same breath. The obvious thing to do in Malaga, it seems, is to hit the beaches.

But we will let you into a little secret – while every inch of Costa Del Sol’s beaches are being scoured by the package holiday industry, inland Malaga continues to be somewhat of a local secret. It is home to a number of gorgeous locales, but very few tourists manage to tear themselves away from Malaga’s beaches for long enough to make it there.

El Torcal de Antequera is one such gem. Less than an hour away from Malaga, this natural reserve bears testimony to Spain’s diverse landscape and natural beauty. The drive takes one through the rural hinterland of Spain – Almond and olive trees abound and the Sierra Torcal mountain range looms mysteriously in the background.

El Torcal de Antequera Malaga 7El Torcal de Antequera – Spain’s little secret

El Torcal de Antequera Malaga 8Inland Malaga ย – Off the Beaten Track

At the El Torcal de Antequera, surreal rock formations are everywhere to be seen. The alien landscape is made entirely out of flat-lying limestone which is over 150 million years old.

The horizontal limestone formations, formed over thousands of years of erosion and fractures, is unlike anything we’ve ever seen. ย The symmetry of these natural limescale ‘installations’ stands out over and above anything else.

 

El Torcal de Antequera Malaga Day TripSurreal Limestone rocks at El Torcal de Antequeraย 

El Torcal de Antequera Spain Road TripSurreal Limestone rocks at El Torcal de Antequera- notice the horizontally sliced ‘piles’ of rocks

El Torcal de AntequeraSurreal Limestone rocks at El Torcal de Antequera- notice the horizontally sliced rocks

 

A stark landscape calls for a bright outfit. We did not plan to hike at the El Torcal National Park, so I opted for a flowy tie-and-dye dress. The asymmetrical hemline adds volume and lends interest.The blue of the kitschy bangles reinforces the blue of the maxi dress.

 

El Torcal de Antequera Spain Road Trip

 

El Torcal de Antequera Day Trip Malaga

 

I wanted to complement the blues with an equally bright colour – what better than fuchsia pink? This clutch bag is from a really talented young designer called Malvika. I’ve spoken of my love for deploying ethnic fabrics in a contemporary context before. This clutch bag uses a traditional Indian ‘phulkari’ fabric on a contemporary box-clutch. What’s not to love ๐Ÿ™‚

 

El Torcal de Antequera Spain Road Trip

El Torcal de Antequera Malaga

ย El Torcal de Antequera Andalucia

 

I wore tasselled fuchsia pink flat sandals to complete the outfit. Now open sandals and a maxi dress might not be the most practical outfit for exploring El Torcal, but if you’re both a romantic and an adventurer, something’s gotta give …

After all, it does allow you to prance amongst limestone rocks with a silly grin on your face ๐Ÿ™‚

Maxi Dress – TK Maxx

Clutch Bag – Malvika’s Loca Chica (check out her online shop if you’re in India ๐Ÿ™‚ )

Bangles – Random Pop-up shop

Sandals – Boohoo (available here)

 

El Torcal de Antequera Malaga Day trip

 

El Torcal de Antequera AndaluciaThe neighbouring village of Antequera

 

El Torcal de Antequera Malaga Day trip 3 5

 

El Torcal de Antequera Malaga 3

 

Fact File

  • El Torcal De Antequera is only 40 kms away from Malaga
  • It is easily accessible from most parts of Andalucia and Costa Del Sol
  • Entry is free and there is a car park on site.
  • There are three hiking trails :- The green trail is 1.5 km. long, the yellow trail is 2.5 km. long, and the red trail is 4.5 km. long.
  • Make sure you check the weather forecast before you start hiking. The area can get very hot at the peak of summer
  • Make sure you explore the neighbouring village of Antequera, a typical Andalucian village.

 

 

Do you enjoy road trips as much as we do? Click here to read about one road trip that MUST go on your bucket list ๐Ÿ™‚

13 thoughts on “Road trip in Spain: El Torcal de Antequera’s Surreal Rock Formations

  1. Gran Canaria’s similar to the Costa del Sol in that there’s more to see than the beaches. We recently spent some time in a cave house. Which could have inspired a Flintstones shoot, but luckily for our fans, didn’t.

  2. The limestone rocks do look surreal! And beautiful dress and bracelets. ๐Ÿ™‚ The bracelets remind me of the ‘ghungroos’ that Indian classical dancers wear!

    1. The limestone rocks were absolutely crazy Amiya.

      The bracelets are actually made from tiny ghungroos – they’re the perfect way to incorporate a traditional accessory in a contemporary outfit ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Hey Savi & Vid ! I’m one of your friends form instagram. Just browsing through your blog and my head’s literally in the clouds ! Gotta be one of the best blogs i’ve ever come across- so simple, so honest and oh-so-chilled-out ! Will surely keep dropping by to catch up. Keep the wanderlust going, you guys ! Big love !
    PS.. Heart the bangles ! <3

  4. We intend going from Portugal to Madrid and head south from Madrid to Toldeo, Meredes, Cordoba, Seville and Antequera. Has anyone been to the wolf sanctuary there? My daughter is wolf nuts and I belive they do an evening tour there. Further more, has anyone stayed there and have suggested accommodation? Thanks Rana

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