Travel blog - Tips to explore the world on a budget: Antequera

Antequera is located in the center of Andalusia and is known for its rich history, from ancient megalithic tombs to Moorish fortresses. The Antequera Dolmens Site, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2016, includes three large tombs—Menga, Viera, and El Romeral—built between 5,500 and 4,000 years ago. The area also features two natural landmarks: Peña de los Enamorados (Lovers' Rock) and the unique El Torcal karst landscape. The Alcazaba, a Moorish fortress on a hill, played a key role in defending Granada during the Christian reconquest. Nearby, the Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor, completed in 1550, stands as the first example of Andalusian Renaissance architecture. Antequera is often called the "City of Churches" because it has 33 religious buildings, and its old town is filled with narrow streets, palaces, convents, and baroque facades. El Torcal Natural Park, 14 km to the south, is famous for its unusual limestone formations shaped over millions of years. The city is also known for molletes de Antequera, soft round bread rolls with Protected Geographical Indication, baked since the 16th century. Whether you are visiting ancient dolmens, climbing the Alcazaba for views, hiking in El Torcal, or enjoying molletes at sunrise, Antequera offers a blend of history and natural beauty.