Competa is situated 49 kilometres from Malaga City and 18 kilometres from the coast at Torrox Costa, at an altitude of 636 metres. It lies within the area of Axarquia, east of Malaga, in the foothills of the Sierra Almijara. On the scenic Route of Sun and Wine, Competa has a population of 3,800 comprised from thirty-five different nationalities living in harmony.

Competa´s charming whitewashed streets come together in a central plaza next to the Church of La Asuncion with a unique golden dome that stands out above the village. There are numerous restaurants, cafes, tapas bars and shops some of which specialise in ceramics.

The local area is irrigated by numerous springs and streams from surrounding mountains. The nearby Casa de la Mira Nature Reserve is spectacularly beautiful. The main local product is the muscatel grape; the wines of Competa being excellent and renowned throughout Spain. In general the locals prefer the sweet variety whilst visitors prefer the dry. Both are highly potent! There is an interesting wine museum in the village that sells different types of local produce and handicrafts, as well as doubling as a bar and restaurant.

Competa enjoys a variety of annual fiestas including a popular celebration of wine, the Noche del Vino (Night of the Wine), held each 15th August. Flamenco and other music and dance accompany the free-flowing wine that can be sampled freely throughout the streets.

The Noche del Vino is a very old traditional party which has been celebrated for a long time. Traditionally the inhabitants of Competa went to their cortijos (farmhouses) up in the mountains during the vintage and didn't return until October, when the raisins were packed and the grapes had been pressed. On August the 15th they met at Plaza Almijara for a farewell party, where they sang and danced fandangos and drank the famous local wine.

Being highly significant for the people of Competa, the party was made official in 1975. It is now organised by the local council and includes a programme by which visitors can get in touch with local traditions.

During the morning of August 15th, there is demonstration of 'la pisa de la uva' (treading on grapes). There follows a free country-style lunch with 'migas de harina' (garlic and meat cooked with flour crumbs), sardines, rural salad (peppers, oranges, onions, olives and tomatoes) and chorizo sausages. Both the pisa and the lunch are accompanied by local musicians. The party continues into the evening until the early hours of the next morning with music and dance around the Plaza Almijara. Details of Competa´s other annual festivals can be found at the fiestas link at the bottom of this page.

Competa is a pretty village which has retained its original Moorish layout and has lots of interesting nooks and crannies, with a good balance of shops, bars and restaurants. The magnificent parish church of La Asuncion, in the main square of Plaza Almijara, was built in the 16th century in Baroque-Mudejar stlye.

Official Fiestas:
May 3rd
July 26th
Popular Fiestas:
January 20th - Fiesta of San Sebastian
January 25th - Feria del Barrio
Late July - Feria de Competa
August 15th - Noche del Vino

Useful Numbers:
Health Clinic (Consultario de Competa, Calle San Antonio): 952 516 089
Emergency Doctor: 061
Guardia Civil: 952 516 097
Emergency Police: 091
Taxis: 952 516 199 / 952 516 205 / 952 516 056 / 952 553 535
Tourist Office: 952 553 301
Town Hall and Council: 952 516 006 / 952 516 381
Council website: www.competa.es
Wine Museum: 952 553 314