Casares: Discover Nature, Culture and Beaches

Casares: Nature, Local History and Coast

Casares offers a range of highlights for a stay: the protected natural area of the Sierra Crestellina, a historic center, cultural sites and beaches. Local cuisine and events also shape the destination. For your planning, you can consider these themes separately and then decide what you would like to focus on during your stay.

Sierra Crestellina and Hiking Trails

The Paraje Natural Sierra Crestellina nature reserve is located within the municipality of Casares. The Sierra is home to a colony of griffon vultures. The hiking trail to the Sierra starts at a turnoff about 500 meters from the junction leading to the entrance to Casares.

A 20.5-kilometer hiking stage runs from Genalguacil through shady forests, with views of the Strait of Gibraltar, to the historic center of Casares. Another stage starts in Casares and passes through the cork oak forests around the historic center. The Carrera de Montaña Villa de Casares offers two routes of 14 and 21 kilometers respectively; route formats may change from one edition to the next.

A linear route to the fluviokarst canyon is 2.4 kilometers long from the access point via the Llanos de la Utrera and is accessible year-round. Access conditions related to protective measures at the Baños de la Hedionda may vary. Check the conditions before your hike.

Historic Center and Culture

The historic center of Casares has been designated a Conjunto Histórico Artístico since 1978 and is listed as an Andalusian cultural landscape. Casares Castle is already mentioned in Arabic sources from the 13th century. The Fuente de Carlos III, also known as the Fuente de la Plaza, was completed in 1785 as part of the hydraulic reforms of the 18th century. The Lacipo archaeological site lies within the municipality and is identified with the Roman city of Lacipo in the Conventus Gaditanus.

The Centro Cultural Blas Infante features permanent exhibitions on the ethnographic history and archaeology of Casares and offers guided tours of the building. The birthplace of Blas Infante houses a permanent exhibition about aspects of his life and work; the house also serves as a tourist information office. The Ermita de San Sebastián houses the image of Nuestra Señora del Rosario del Campo, the patron saint of Casares.

The VI Ruta de las Recoveras is also part of the town’s cultural history. It recalls the route between Casares and the border with Gibraltar, taken by some women from Casares while smuggling low-value goods.

Beaches and Baños de la Hedionda

Casares has a total of four beaches with sanitary and lifeguard services; check current service availability before your visit. Playa Ancha is an urban beach with a promenade. Playa Piedra Paloma is designated as a dog beach, although local rules of use should be checked before visiting. Playa Chica can only be reached on foot. These differences can help you choose a beach to suit your plans.

Since 2016, the Baños de la Hedionda have had natural pools. The water source and adaptation of the bathing complex are considered originally Roman. This means Casares offers not only beaches, but also a place with a history of bathing and a separate nature route to the canyon.

Local Cuisine and Events

Casares cuisine includes gazpacho casareño. The cheeses of the Sierra Crestellina are handcrafted from goat’s milk. At Degusta Casares, a gastronomic and cultural fair in the historic center, the program includes workshops on making morcilla casareña and cheese. Historical interpretation routes through the town are also offered over the event weekend; the program may vary from one edition to the next. The 2026 edition took place on April 18 and 19.

The Feria de Casares takes place over four days on the first weekend of August in the historic center; exact dates may vary from one edition to the next. Festivities include dances with orchestras at La Carrera and on Plaza de España. The XIII Festival Nuevo Cine Andaluz de Casares takes place from October 2 to 10, 2026. It showcases Andalusian feature films and documentaries, short films and photography, and includes educational activities. When planning your trip, you can therefore take into account not only the landscape and history, but also cultural and festive programs scheduled for specific dates.

Discover more destinations: Bahía De Casares, Sierra De Yeguas, Benarrabá, Pizarra, Almogía, Villanueva Del Trabuco, Genalguacil, Algarrobo.

For the broader travel overview: Málaga.