This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Álora.
Álora, in the province of Malaga, Andalusia, is nicknamed “Perote” and its people are called Perotes. Álora is one of famous White Towns of Andalusia, or Pueblos Blancos, which are towns and villages distinctive and well known for their houses and buildings with whitewashed walls and red- and brown-tiled roofs.
Álora is surrounded by three rocky hill spurs in the Valle del Guadalhorce. On top of these spurs are the ruins of the Castle of Álora. Like most of the southern Spain and Andalusia, Álora has a long history that dated to prehistory; Álora’s earliest inhabitants were thought to be the Neanderthals. They were replaced by the pre-Roman tribe of the Iberian Peninsula called Turdetani. Álora was once part of the ancient harbor city of Tartessos. The arrival of Phoenicians saw the rise of Álora as a commercial center. It is believed that the Phoenicians built the famous Castle of Álora. The Romans conquered Álora and fortified the town and the castle. The succeeding years saw the arrival, conquering, and settlement of other people including the Visigoths and Moors. Both of the groups mainly expanded and enlarged the Castle.
Life in Álora used to revolve around the castle. The life of the town centers on its fortress and towers, which overlook the town and neighboring areas and realms. At one point, the Visigoths destroyed the castle but it was then rebuilt by the Moors. At the present, the town of Álora has the heritage of Christian domination but its structure is heavily characterized by its Moorish influence, including the Arabian doors and steelworks and the Arabic sense of narrow streets. On a sunny day, Álora is a blinding white gem around a reddish and green landscape. Most of the main sites of Álora are the old Catholic churches that have mixed elements, including Romanesque, Gothic, and Moorish influences.
There many things you can do in Álora, like discovering and wandering the white maze structure of the town; sightseeing the churches; and hunting, camping, and hiking in the surrounding countryside. Most of the hostels in Álora reflect the structure of the town -- quaint, narrowed, and whitewashed. Since the climate is mostly warm, Álora hostels welcome quests, visitors, and tourists throughout the year.
Written by local enthusiast for Álora hostels
Angelica Burrage
