Being one of the highest white villages (pueblos blancos) in Andalucía at 739 metres above sea level, the village of Comares can be seen for miles around, perched high on its cliff-top position, keeping a watchful eye over the surrounding countryside.
As you wind your way up the road towards Comares, the village keeps appearing and disappearing from view, tantalisingly getting closer and closer with every kilometre – until finally you reach the “Welcome to Comares” sign.
You’re almost there!
Once you reach the main square (Plaza del Balcón) you will see a series of beautiful tiled murals depicting the history of Comares and, it’s from here that you can follow a circular walk around the village marked by ceramic footsteps set into the stone paving.
The footsteps lead to the main historic sites of Comares and to spectacular viewing points. The walking route takes around an hour, and is steep in places but, if you don´t want to walk, you could always take a donkey taxi (burro taxi) ride around the village!
As you wander around the narrow streets you may find yourself invited into the home of one of the Spanish ladies who sell local produce such as wine, almonds, avocados, raisins, olives or honey. Some of them are very persistent sales-women!
One of the interesting places the ceramic footprints lead you to is the Plaza de los Verdiales, where there is a beautiful tiled mural, plaque and statue to commemorate the Panda de Verdiales – a band of local men playing lively music.
The village name Comares originates from the Arab word for castle – Qumarix. The first fortress was built here by the Romans, but the history of the village is pre-Roman with the main traces of occupation being Arabic.
When the Moors invaded Comares they made full use of its excellent location and developed the town into one of the areas principle defensive strongholds.
Comares is known with good cause as the “Balcony of La Axarquía”.
One of the highest points of the village is the cemetery (cementerio municipal), from where there are magnificent views over the surrounding countryside. It´s well worth a look!
Finally, if the steep streets have taken their toll, you could always stop and have lunch or a cool drink in the beautiful courtyard of El Molino de los Abuelos in the main square.
To really enjoy the views that Comares has to offer, make sure to go on a clear day. Summer skies are often hazy, so an autumn or winter day is probably best for a visit – though if you´ve been to Comares once, you´ll want to go back again!
You can read more about the village of Comares, HERE.
How to get there:
Follow the A7/E15 autovía, east of Málaga, to km 272 and take the exit signposted for the A356 towards Vélez-Málaga. Stay on the A356, bypassing the town and, after a few kilometres, turn left at the junction signed towards El Trapiche. You’ll see the first sign-post for Comares as you approach that turn off – then just follow the signs – though, be warned, there aren´t many!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6xFMlMxTXo
Other articles you might enjoy:
Apocalyptic skies over southern Spain
Fresh Figs Stuffed with Goat´s Cheese and wrapped in Smoked Bacon
East of Málaga 
Lovely photos, Marianne. That cemetery sure is in a beautiful spot. 🙂
One of the prettiest 🙂
That’s one picturesque village!
Yes, it is! 🙂
Pingback: Andalucia: Fifty shades of white | East of Málaga
Pingback: CBBH Photo Challenge: ACROSS THE ROOFTOPS | East of Málaga
Pingback: Let Sleeping Giants Lie! | East of Málaga
Reminds me of Mijas. 🙂
Yes, I guess quite a few of the white mountain villages are similar in this area. 🙂
wow! great photos!! one day…..I will definitely go there!
…and hopefully, when you do, I’ll meet you there!! 🙂
por supuesto! we have a date at some restaurant whose name I cannot recall right now. but, whatever we do, it will be fun!!
What an unbelievably pretty place. Lovely pictures, Marianne! Did you take one of the donkey taxis, by the way?
Thanks Jess 🙂
No, I’ve never taken one of the burro taxis – we’ve always walked around the village.
Wonderful. I feel like I have been following your footsteps around Comares 😉 So white, clean and ordered but also so colourful, alive and airy. A gorgeous place. I imagine it feels quite timeless.
Absolutely timeless – the village must have looked pretty much the same for hundreds and hundreds of years – like most of the villages around here 🙂
Thanks for your visit and comment Ella – always much appreciated.
Wonderful photos Marianne! Another serene Spanish paradise to add to the list!
So many places …. so little time!
Beautiful photos Marianne and what a fantastic place, so picturesque.
~Chau
This village is an absolute delight to photograph, Chau – but that can be said about many of the villages in Andalucia.
Thanks for your visit and comment – much appreciated 🙂
If someone here tried to sell me wine, almonds, avocados, raisins, olives or honey I’d be inclined to buy it all. This place is enchanting! Beautiful place, beautiful photos. 🙂
I think they are banking on visitors buying everything, Gemma.
Thanks. Comares IS a special place 🙂
What a beautiful place! I love the steps up to the white buildings especially. What a photographer’s paradise!
Yes, it really is,Tina 🙂
Thanks for your visit – always much appreciated.
Still staring at the roof top photo, just wow!
I’ll tell you what, Kathryn – plan a trip to Andalucia – go and see Seville, Cordoba and Granada and then visit the area to the east of Málaga and I’ll show you around Comares 🙂
I hope to do JUST THAT one of these days Marianne and thank you! I would just absolutely love to do this. Your photos warm the soul !
I cannot imagine living in SUCH a romantic and tantalizingly place.. speechless.
The last looks like a painting ( insert me : )
Romantic? Yes, I guess it is, though I’d never thought of it like that before. Perfect destination for a honeymoon, I guess 🙂
The last photo of the restaurant, has the cloth draped over to shield you from the heat of the sun when eating out in the lovely courtyard. This was taken when we went for my birthday lunch 🙂
Lucky girl, aren’t I?
YES YOU ARE !!!!!!!!!!!
hi Marianne … just the sort of village we are looking for for our visit next year … did you receive my email asking about that?? somewhere to walk, paint, keep away from the crowds 🙂
Comares would be a perfect place for you to visit, Christine.
No, I’m sorry I didn’t get your email, but of course, I’m more than happy to suggest places for you to visit.
What time of year will you be coming and for how long? Maybe we could meet up?
Can I forward the email to you? Maybe better than making it public on the blog 🙂 It would be great to meet up if you are around!
Sure – send it to sweetpeeps (at) gmail.com 🙂
Aw, those donkeys… 🙂
Cute aren’t they? I’ve never been on one of them though – I always walk round.
I think I share your reluctance in this respect 😉
I want to go there right now!
lol … close your eyes and transport yourself, Trish 🙂
The rooftops shot is amazing. On our list of places to visit.
Well worth a visit 🙂
It looks positively idyllic, Marianne, but I bet it’s chilly up there right now 🙂
Your photos are fabulous! Love the idea of the ceramic footsteps. Definitely not the burro 😦
Yes, sure is chilly tonight – we have our first log fire of the year!
Fab photos, Marianne, especially the views and rooftops! That local produce all sounds very tempting.
Fiona – if the truth be told, I’ve yet to escape from a visit to Comares without buying some local produce!
Thanks for your visit 🙂
Wow, amazing photos from the #balcony” – excellent captured – and interesting writing… 🙂
This village is a photographer’s dream – like most of the beautiful white, mountain villages around here.
Thanks, Drake.
What a wonderful tour, with great pictures, and and just enough history to put it all into context!
Just enough to whet your appetite, Naomi! 🙂
Its so pristine and lovely!
You know, the people in the villages have such pride, here. You often see old ladies out mopping the streets outside their homes 🙂
Nice blog and great photos Marianne. You are right about the weather though. Comares is often shrouded in cloud and you wouldn’t want to be up there during our annual electric storms! You’ve caught it just right – including its fantastic cemetery that looms over us down here in Cutar!
OOHHH I bet the storms are scary!
Lovely post, Marianne – The views look stunning!
Will have to try and get there sometime 🙂
You’ll get chance when you come to stay, Sue!!
Looks a lovely place, I’m adding it to my ever-growing list! 🙂
OH you’ll love Comares, Sue!
We love Comares and often take guests there following the footsteps. Is that last shot of the restaurant with the fab guys who run it?!
Yes – we do too, Tanya!
The last photo is at El Molino – though I think those guys have moved on now (I think they have opened a restaurant of their own in Benagalbon … or somewhere nearby). It’s reverted back to the original owners – but the reviews are still very good 🙂
Ah, it’s been a while but they were quite characters. Wil have to go back and eat there again soon 🙂
Great food as well as wonderful views 🙂
Fantastic pictures. Makes it a very tempting place to visit.
xxx Cwtch xxx
Very kind of you to say so, David.
Yes, well worth a visit – even if I do say so myself 😉
Great photos Marianne,especially the first one…impressive view of the village…..looks stunning
Thanks Paddy – Comares really is a very pretty village. We take all our visitors there for the views 🙂
Pingback: Travel theme: Night | East of Málaga
Pingback: East of Málaga: So near, yet so far away | East of Málaga
Pingback: Autumn: It´s a Game of Three Halves! | East of Málaga
Pingback: AVE: Taking the Fast Track from Málaga to Madrid | East of Málaga
Pingback: Public transport to Málaga Airport from La Axarquiía | East of Málaga