Route of Al - Idrisi
The Moors entered Europe at a place now known as
Algeciras; in Granada they had their last stronghold. Many towers
and fortifications all along this route testify to their influence.
Also, the growing of such exotic fruits as the sugar cane (between
Málaga and Motril) is an effect of Moorish farming techniques.
Today the region of Marbella is a booming tourist and holiday
place.
The route is named after the Arab geographer Al Idrisi and connects
Algeciras with Granada. The main part of the itinerary follows
the coastline from the Straits of Gibraltar and Motril, before
it turns north passing the Lecrín valley and ends close
to the Sierra Nevada summits in Granada. Excursions to the natural
parks Los Alcornocales and Montes de Málaga, Sierra Nevada
with its southern part, the Alpujarra.
Itinerary
From Algeciras along the coast until Motril. Then it continues
to the north until Granada. Between Estepona and Málaga
there is a motorway.
Distance approx. 330 Km / 205 Miles
Algeciras (Miles 0; 108,800 Inhabitants)
Port town; Entrance place of the Moorish in the year 711. Plaza
Alta close to the San Isidro quarter; Church Nuestra Señora
de la Palma
Excursion: Natural park Los Alcornocales (turn off at Los Barrios)
San Roque (Miles 9; 25,150 Inhabitants)
famous for its golf courses. Roman remains; Church Santa María
Coronada
Excursion: Gibraltar (approx. 10 miles)
Estepona (Miles 40; 47,700 Inhabitants)
Marina port town on the feet of the Sierra Bermeja. Plaza de las
Flores; Remains of a castle; Church Nuestra Señora de los
Remedios
San Pedro de Alcántara (Miles
51)
Basilica de Vega del Mar (6th century); outside the village: Villa
Romana de Rio Verde (Roman remains)
Marbella (Miles 60; 116,250 Inhabitants)
International centre of tourism. Historical old part of the town;
Plaza de los Naranjos; Casa del Corregidor; Hermitage Nuestro
Señor Santiago; Church Santa María de la Encarnación;
3 Miles west: Marina "Puerto Banús"
Fuengirola (Miles 79; 57,100 Inhabitants)
Tourist place with a 5 miles long beach walk. Santa Fé
de los Boliches quarter (archaeological remains) with the Sohai
castle in its back
Málaga (Miles 99; 547,100
Inhabitants)
Birth place of Pablo Picasso and main Andalusian airport for tourism.
Among other things are worth seeing: Cathedral and the Alcazaba
(fortification)
Nerja (Miles 132; 17,650 Inhabitants)
beautiful small town. View point: Balcón de Europa; Old
part of the town with the Salvador church
Maro (Miles 135) 2,5 miles east
of Nerja
with the important cave "Cueva de Nerja"
Almuñecar (Miles 146; 23,400
Inhabitants)
village located on the feet of the Sierra Almijara mountains.
Roman Arab fortress San Miguel; Archaeological museum; Botanic
garden El Majuelo
Salobreña (Miles 155; 11,100
Inhabitants)
Seaside village located amidst sugar cane and fruit fields. Restored
castle; historical centre of the town; Virgen del Rosario church.
Motril (Miles 162; 53,600 Inhabitants)
Main town of the Costa Tropical and centre of the sugar cane production.
Town hall in Baroque style; Churches de la Encarnación,
del Carmen
The route continues passing some smaller settlements
Vélez de Benaudalla (Miles
170; 2,500 Inhabitants)
Small castle
Mondújar (Miles 181)
Roman baths "de la Villa de Feche";
Excursion to the water reservoir "Embalse de Béznar"
Padul (Miles 190; 7,150 Inhabitants)
A spring called los cinco caños
Granada (Miles 205; 237,700
Inhabitants)
Capital of the last Moorish kingdom and final stronghold: Al-Andalus.
Fantastic view of the Alhambra with the snow covered Sierra Nevada
mountains in the background.
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