Travel
Guide / Andalucía
accommodation
The tiny traditional pueblo
blanco or white village of Ojén is tucked away on a hillside
within an easy drive from Marbella on Spain’s Costa del Sol. A place
of white-washed and beautiful houses, flowers and birdsong, this quaint
village is worth a visit.
 The
village is a short drive up into the mountains behind Marbella and is situated
with Mijas to the east, Istán to the west, and Coín and Monda
to the north. Placed above the Real River valley at an altitude of about
200 metres, the area is framed by the Sierra Blanca and the Sierra
Alpujata.
One of many white villages
in Andalusia, dating back to the time of the Moors, the town has narrow
and winding streets, sometimes with fairly steep climbs up the hillsides.
When staying anywhere along the Costa del Sol, Ojén is within relatively
easy reach from the coastal highway.
 One
thing to bear in mind, there is no parking available for visitors within
the village itself. However, there is fairly limited parking on the
main road into the village. Make sure you have comfortable walking
shoes on, and you will need them!
The photo included at the
top of this article is taken from a viewpoint above Ojén.
Not only can you view the village, nestling on the slopes of the mountain,
but also right across the mountains and to Marbella and the sea beyond.
There are several interesting
and attractive sights to see in the town. One of these is the old
distillery in the town, which is now the Museo del Vino, or wine
museum. In the past, Ojén was famous for the production of an
anise liqueur, known as Aguardiente de Ojén. The production
of this liqueur used to play an important part in the town’s economy.
While now the liqueur is
now locally produced by the distillery company Dominique
Mertens Impex. S.L., the building is now used as a wine museum (pictured
above left), selling not only excellent wines of the region but also various
handicrafts, including beautiful glasswork. Visitors can enjoy a
guided tour complete with wine tasting, so this attraction should probably
be kept for later in the day!
 During
a stroll around town, visit the Fuente de los Chorros, a local water
fountain. The fountain is fed by a serious of channels on the hillside,
and while construction dates back to Moorish times, it is still used today
by local residents for both drinking water and watering the local vegetable
gardens and fruit orchards.
Another spot of interest
is the Cueva de las Campanas. The cave is a small space, perfect
for a rest after exploring the village, with lights and a bench inside
to rest. Just outside the cave are several pomegranate trees.
Once explorations are complete,
there is a small selection of cafes and restaurants in the heart of town
where a tasty meal or refreshing drink can be enjoyed before heading back
to your home-from-home. Enjoy the charm and stunning views from this
lovely location.
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