Immerse Yourself In The Culture Of Southern Spain At This Undiscovered Beauty Of A Town

With craggy mountains, historic cities, sun-drenched beaches, and delectable cuisine that has birthed an incredible food scene in Madrid, Spain exerts a powerful pull on travelers. Anyone considering visiting Europe must at least consider going there, as its splendors are so numerous and deep that to give it a skip almost seems criminal.

Nowhere do we see this more than in Andalusia, the storied autonomous region that occupies the southernmost part of the Iberian Peninsula. Andalusia is Spain concentrate, with secluded, under-the-radar coasts, wine, lively fiestas, Flamenco, and Moorish architectural triumphs such as the Alhambra palace in Granada. While that destination — along with other well-known centers such as Seville, Córdoba, and Málaga — see the lion's share of visitors to the region, the town of Antequera is a gem that offers all of Andalusia's magic without the crowds.

Nicknamed 'the crossroads of Andalusia' because of its central location, Antequera is a perfect base of operations for exploration. Though only home to around 40,000 people, the town boasts treasures that you'd expect to find in a much bigger city. This includes gorgeous plazas and squares along with a Moorish fortress, scores of churches, galleries, museums, and over 100 watering holes and eateries.

Like most settlements in Spain, Antequera is steeped in history, with a timeline going back to well before the Roman era. The Moors occupied the town (as they did with much of Spain) for hundreds of years until 1410 when Antequera was taken over by Infante Don Fernando, whose name still graces the town's main street.

This rich and bloody history is seen in Antequera's main attraction: the Alcazaba. Standing guard over the city like a stony sentinel, this 14th-century Moorish fortress was built over Roman ruins and used as a base to defend the whole of the Kingdom of Granada from Christian Spain. Today, you can visit the site any day of the week and soak up the history oozing from its walls for just €5 (about $5.41). Antequera also boasts 33 churches displaying Gothic and Baroque architectural styles, as well as Arco de los Gigantes, a massive stone arch constructed in 1585.

For deep history, check out the El Romeral, Viera, and Menga Dolmens, Neolithic burial sites dating back some 5,000 years. At nearly 30 meters (98.4 feet) in length, the Menga Dolmen UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest prehistoric tomb in Europe. Not only is it conveniently situated in the center of town but admission is free.

Antequera is not only a pretty place but also a delicious one. This is serious tapas country, with plates served up in bars such as Recuerdos Tapas Bodega, Taberna El Rincón de Lola, and Bar Carrera. Make sure to order "vino locales" (local wines) for the best value, and don't leave town without trying its specialty: porra antequerana. This hearty gazpacho-like cold soup is a pureed combination of tomatoes, olive oil, bread, and vinegar that's sure to leave you satisfied.

While you're there, head out to El Torcal de Antequera to scratch your outdoor itch. Situated about nine miles south of town, this nature reserve features arresting rock formations and is served by a series of viewpoints and hiking paths with free admission. Just be sure to wear appropriate footwear (the paths are rough and rocky) and bring plenty of water along with warm clothes, as the mountain elevation (nearly 4,000 feet) means frigid temperatures during certain times of the year.

Given its central location, Antequera is quite easy to get to. The town is served by AVE high-speed trains (which you can board in Málaga or even Madrid) and AVANT trains from Seville and Granada. The closest international airport is the Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, which is the country's fourth busiest, with flights coming in from all over Europe. Depart from here to explore more underrated destinations in Spain.