Cómpeta is the perfect holiday destination – located in the heart of Andalucia, southern Spain. Just an hour from Malaga Airport, with numerous international flights every day. It is under half an hour from the beautiful Costa del Sol where you will find a mix of long, wide, sandy beaches interspersed with intimate coves.
Where is Cómpeta
Cómpeta can be found in the Axarquia region in the foothills of La Maroma, the highest peak of the Sierra de Tejada mountain range.
Known as the Cornice of the Costa del Sol for its favoured location, this mountainside pueblo nestles in the hillside. Appearing like white sugar cubes nestling in the mountain, perhaps this is why it is also known as the Pearl of the Axarquia. It is surrounded by olive, mango and citrus groves and sweet-smelling almond trees.
About Cómpeta
It is said that Cómpeta is of Roman origin with its name being derived from the Latin phrase, Compita-orum (crossing of roads), though there is little written documentation to support this. The first written history of Cómpeta dates back to 1487. It has a rich history of inhabitants – Christians, Muslims and Moors have all made home here as shown in the architecture of today.
Spend hours meandering along the picturesque, narrow tiled streets. 
Lined with traditional tall white houses, with their Juliette balconies adorned with scented flowers and vivid geraniums. There are artisan boutique shops, selling hand crafted leather goods, Moroccan goods, natural soaps, locally produced olive oil and honey. Wherever you wander, you will often be greeted with an hola (hello) and a touch of the cap from the friendly, happy locals.
There are several churches, art galleries and a museum all worthy of a visit. Life in Cómpeta is depicted throughout the village on the Route of the Mosaics and in the arches of the Paseo de las Tradiciones.
Famous for its Moscato wine! On the 15th August each year, Cómpeta celebrates Noche del Vino (Night of the Wine) – the whole town is decorated as a medieval village and free wine and food flow.
It has a vibrant music and art scene. The Feria celebrated in July over 4-days includes a foam party filling the main square, a waterslide on La Rampa and a fun fair, culminating with Sunday’s Romeria, when locals dress in full Spanish regalia. They parade on horses and the Feria queen is driven through the village on an ox led cart.
Additionally there is a 4-day art walk in the spring and a walking festival in September.
Activities
Ideally situated for any outdoor activity, walking, hiking, horse riding and mountain biking. Cómpeta is also a destination area for road cycle enthusiasts due to the well surfaced roads in the area and challenging climbs with breath taking views. It’s popular with nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and bird watchers who come to see the varied flora and fauna in the area. It offers a magical opportunity for photography fans, with a varied terrain and stunning vistas or the contrasting pueblo where you can capture the locals as they congregate daily in the square.
If you prefer guided tours, then local businesses offer many options. Everything from exploring the historic local white villages on the sun and raisin tour, to the Alhambra Palace to being a goat herder for the day.
Dining out
There are a wealth of restaurants and bars within the pueblo. The trendy Hierbabuena Café offering delicious breakfast, Moroccan dishes and cakes. Casa Paco in the main Plaza Almijara square, has great craft beers and tapas. Cortijo Paco also offers great food but with sweeping views down the mountain. El Pilon have a fantastic BBQ grill and lovely cocktails. There are so many choices you could stay for two weeks and still have to leave some for your next trip.
Just outside of the village we recommend the award-winning Bodegas Bentomiz, a working vineyard – combine the tour with a 5-course tasting menu and make an afternoon of it!
Cómpeta Escapes
Competa Escapes is a collection of private townhouse villa rentals centrally located in the pueblo itself, once you arrive you can walk to everything. Each house has it’s own private pool with en–suite bedrooms. Designed with luxury in mind, every aspect from the flat screen TVs enabled with Netflix and Amazon Prime, to the bespoke Spanish tiles and carefully selected artwork have been chosen to provide an unrivalled experience for our guests.
