Perched on a hill between the Ronda mountains, the Costa del Sol and the Campo de Gibraltar, Casares is one of the most beautiful villages in the province of Málaga, which earned it its listing as a historic site in 1978. The origins of Casares go back to Roman times, when Julius Caesar ordered it to be built out of gratitude after being cured by bathing in the Baños de la Hedionda. The village centre itself, however, dates from the Moorish period.
Its monuments and sites include the ruins of a Moorish castle, the 17th-century church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, the 16th-century convent of Santa Catalina, the Ballesteros and Hedionda caves and the Sima de los Huesos.
Casares, a village of traditions and craftsmanship
Casares has a long tradition of craftsmanship, making it an ideal place to buy souvenirs made of esparto grass, wood, ceramics and jewellery. As for food, you cannot leave without tasting the “Casareña” soup and “Conejo del monte” (wild rabbit), two of the most typical dishes of the area.
Casares is easy to visit. You can see its main sights in a single day, which makes it an ideal stop on a Costa del Sol getaway.
Los Baños de la Hedionda, a sulphur spring
Los Baños de la Hedionda is a natural sulphur spring surrounded by clay walls. This unusual spot, part of the town’s water heritage, is one of the landmarks of the Sierra de Utrera and of the whole municipality. Its sulphur baths and their long use by people make it a cultural site well beyond its historical origins. Today the waters are open to the public and the area is listed as a site of cultural interest.
The beaches of Casares: Playa Ancha and Playa de la Sal
Although the town centre is 7 kilometres from the sea, part of Casares stretches along the coast, where most of the residential developments have been built. Casares offers beautiful natural beaches.
