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View of calle Peligro

The best way to get to Cómpeta from Malaga is to take the Autovía del Mediterráneo and head for Vélez. Once there, take the road to Algarrobo, passing through Sayalonga to reach Cómpeta. Cómpeta is a key point on the Ruta de la Pasa y el Vino (the Route of the Raisin and Wine) of the Axarquía. Its main industry is agriculture, especially the cultivation of grapes, and the wine produced in the region, dry and sweet and known as "vino de Cómpeta", has gained a reputation for excellence that goes far beyond the borders of the municipality. The other great product of this area is the raisin. It is produced in a traditional way with all the climatic conditions necessary for top quality raisins: sun, fresh air and good grapes.
The name of the town derives from the Latin Compita-Orum, which means "the crossing of the ways" or "the meeting place", and this was the meeting place where the Romans celebrated certain festivals and did business in. The town centre, known locally as the Cornice of the Mediterranean, covers one side of the Sierra de Almijara mountains, with the result that the streets are steep with steps in many places. It is also recommended that visitors leave their cars outside the town centre and walk. A good place to start one’s visit to the town would be calle Barranco Grana, which has won various urban-embellishment prizes, or calle San Sebastián, which brings us to the higher part of the town where the views over the town and the surrounding countryside are spectacular. The Plaza de Almijara is also an essential visit, the Town Hall and Church of La Encarnación being situated here.

Places to be visited

Church of Nuestra Señora de La Asunción This is the most important building in the town, situated in the Plaza de Pantaleón Romero. Its interior is divided into three naves with octagonal pillars. One of the most valuable pieces inside is the mural of the Asunción, painted by local artist Francisco Hernández and finished in 1972. The exterior of the building was restored following earthquake damage in 1893. Work began a year afterwards with the building of the double access to the spire, and a tower on the neo-Mudejar style was built in 1935. Hermitage of San Sebastián The site of this building is thought to have been the town’s original centre. It is a simple structure dating from the 18th century with a single nave, covered in a semi-spherical vaulted ceiling. The exterior is built in the semicircular arches on pillars with a simple spire on top. At the other end of the town, towards the southwest, is the hermitage of San Antón, another simple building of the 18th century with a certain amount of recent restoration work done on it. Picturesque corners Cómpeta is an attractive town with many picturesque corners along its narrow and winding streets. The busiest street is San Antonio, dividing the town into its two most important barrios: el Barrio and el Monte. This leads to the Hermitage of San Antón and the spectacular natural lookout point that has given rise to the name "The Cornice of the Mediterranean". Nuestra Señora del Carmen Oil Mill This oil mill was built in 1925, and inside we can still see the mill, the press and the decanting vats used for the production of olive oil many years ago. Tel: 952 553 367, e-mail: almcarmen@mailpersonal.com Wine Museum Avenida de la Constitución, 6. Tel: 952 553 314.

Where to eat

Restaurante-Bar Perico. Specialising in home cooking, chicken in Cómpeta wine, kid in almond sauce and other dishes. Plaza Almijara, 4.Cómpeta. Tel: 952 516 043. Restaurante-Bar La Rubia. Specialising in cod, kid and rabbit. International cuisine. Set menu available. Plaza Pantaleón Romero, 2. Cómpeta. Tel: 952 516 028. Restaurante-Asador Museo del Vino. Avenida de la Constitución.Tel: 952 553 314. Cortijo de Paco. Avenida de la Canillas s/n. Tel: 952 553 421. Restaurante El Pilón. Tel: 952 553 512. Restaurante-Bar Perico. Plaza de la Almijara. Pizzería Voy Volando. C/San Antonio. Tel: 952516 626. Bar-Restaurante La Roca.Tel: 952 516 124. Bar Marcos. Avenida de Sayalonga.Tel: 952 516 259.

Where to sleep

Alberdini Complex. Loma de la Cuadra. Tel: 952 516 241. Hotel Balcón de Cómpeta. C/San Antonio. Tel: 952 553 535. Internet Casa la Cantarera Apartments. C/San Antonio, 16. Tel: 952 553 577. Rural Houses. Plaza Almijara, 2. Tel: 952 553 301. Rural Accommodation in the province of Malaga (in Spanish)

One of the stepped streets in Cómpeta

FIESTAS
One of the biggest festivals in the town takes place in August. This is the Noche del Vino, the Night of the Wine, and the celebrations begin in the morning at the Avenida de Torrox, where wine, fried breadcrumbs, salad and cod is handed out to everybody. This goes on until about three of four in the afternoon, and later on the flamenco music begins, with wine dished out of a huge barrel in the square.

GASTRONOMY
The specialities of the town include fried breadcrumbs, fennel soups and fried pumpkin, although the most famous food product of the town is raisins, along with the semi-sweet wine of the area.

TREKKING
There are a number of trekking routes in the municipality, of varying degrees of difficulty. The first of these routes brings us to the area known as the Venta Pradillos. It is classified as being of medium difficulty, and should take about five hours to complete. The shortest route is to the Casa de la Mina, and is easy. A third route will take us into the Cómpeta-Maroma mountain area, classified as being very difficult and taking about seven hours.

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