Salares lies 58 kilometres from Malaga and 37 kilometres from the coast at Torre del Mar, at an altitude of 579 metres. It is situated within the area of Axarquia, on the scenic Mudejar Architecture Route, and has a population of 400.

Salares is of Roman origin when it was known as Salaria Bastitanorum and it still has a preserved bridge built by the Romans. Later, as with other villages in the area, it had a history of Moorish occupation, Christian reconquest and Moorish uprisings.

Much of the traditional Moorish architecture can be seen in the picturesque, winding streets, various nooks and crannies and the small olive oil factory. The parish church of Santa Ana is built in Mudejar style on the site of an ancient mosque with an almost intact minaret.

During each September, Salares hosts a two day Fair Al-Sarq, also known as As-Shark, in celebration of its Moorish past. The entire village is changed into a Moorish village with locals and visitors dressed in traditional Moroccan atire. A Moorish market is set up and musicians and dancers from North Africa play, sing and dance all through the night in a setting of a Moorish patio illuminated by torchlight. The atmosphere takes you back to ancient times. Details of Salares other annual festivals can be found at the fiestas link at the bottom of this page.