Alhaurin El Grande

Alhaurín el Grande is a town in the province of Málaga, Andalusia, set in the Guadalhorce valley at the foot of the Sierra de Mijas. Of Moorish origin, the village retains a historic centre with narrow, whitewashed streets typical of Andalusian architecture. Remains of an old fortress can still be seen, along with the Church of la Encarnación, built on the foundations of a former mosque. The local economy has traditionally relied on agriculture, particularly olive and citrus farming, with orchards surrounding the town and shaping the surrounding countryside. Alhaurín el Grande has also developed a residential tourism sector, attracting an international community, especially from Britain and northern Europe, drawn by the Mediterranean climate and the area's peaceful pace of life. Several golf courses lie nearby, adding to the appeal of the region. The town enjoys a convenient location roughly thirty kilometres from Málaga and its coastline, as well as from Costa del Sol resorts such as Marbella and Fuengirola. Its rural surroundings, between mountains and cultivated plains, provide a quiet setting well suited to walking and exploring the Andalusian countryside.