28th March 2025 
Leave a commentAre you in Malaga between March and April? Then don’t miss the oportunity to see the cherry blossom in Malaga, a pure delight from mother nature!
This article is not only for nature lovers. This village that we present you also has other activities and things to see that are ideal for a trip to the interior of Malaga.
Alfarnate, the highest village in Malaga
Today we take you to the white village of Alfarnate. The village is located at 886 m above sea level in the upper Axarquía, at the highest point of the province of Malaga and bordering our neighbouring province of Granada.
What does Alfarnate mean?
The village was founded during the Arab reign on the peninsula. The name Alfarnate comes from the Arabic word ‘al-farnat’ which means flour mill.
Alfarnate, the Cherry Paradise
Due to its geographical location this village is the producer of the best cherries in the province. This small village of just over a thousand inhabitants is surrounded by extensive fields of cherry trees. During spring we can enjoy the lovely cherry blossom in Malaga.
When are the cherry trees in bloom in Alfarnate?
The cherry blossom in Alfarnate is one of the most beautiful natural events. Another similar and earlier wonder is the blossoming of the almond trees in Guaro.
Depending on the weather, the blossoming takes place during a few weeks in March and April. During this period, we can delight in vast expanses of countryside covered in soft shades of white and pink.
Hiking routes to see the cherry blossoms in bloom
During the cherry blossom season, the Alfarnate Town Council organises several hiking routes through the cherry orchards to enjoy this natural spectacle. The routes are of low to medium difficulty. Some areas may have uneven terrain, so the use of sports shoes and comfortable clothing is recommended.
The routes do not have a fixed date. You can consult the FB of the Alfarnate Townhall which announces the days according to the progress of the flowering.
In addition, from the village itself there are three hiking trails that can also be done on horseback and mountain bike.
- Link to the routes of the Town Hall of Alfarnate
And we also add a nice and very easy cherry blossom hiking route, available at Wikiloc.
Ruta de las Pilas
Sakura Festival
With its first edition in 2022, this cherry blossom festival, a tribute to nature and Japanese culture, has been very well received.
The Sakura Festival takes place in Alfarnate over a weekend with numerous activities during the cherry blossom in Malaga.
This year, the festival will be held for the fourth time on Sunday 6 April, with be Geisha make-up, martial arts exhibition, Japanese calligraphy, Origami, Japanese Showcooking and much more.
- When: 6 de April
Cherry Day in Alfarnate
Since 2006 in June there is a day dedicated to cherries. There are many stalls where you can buy not only cherries but also other local products such as bread, sweets, vegetables or oil.
There will also be a free tasting of several hundred kilos of cherries and traditional music to liven up the event.
The festival is usually held on the third Saturday in June, but harvests depend on the weather. You can check the Alfarnate Town Hall FB for the exact date.
The oldest Inn in Andalusia
In the old days, the village was situated next to the old mountain pass that connected Malaga with Granada. One of the remains preserved is the historic 17th century Venta del Alfarnate, an inn where illustrious travellers stayed, from King Alfonso XIII to famous bandits such as José María el Tempranillo.
It still has a dungeon where prisoners who were to be transferred from one town to another were locked up. Other original parts and numerous items of ethnological interest and some tools have also been preserved.
Nowadays the Inn is a restaurant and also museum of the history of Andalusian banditry, dates back to those times.
In this traditional mountain Inn you will find tasty local food and good local wines.
How to get to Alfarnate
The village is situated about 50 km from Malaga. However, this is a distance that you can’t do in a hurry.
While the first part runs along the motorway, the second part takes you onto secondary roads. Leaving Malaga, you will start to gain altitude in the Montes de Malaga.
As we said at the beginning, Alfarnate is the highest village in the province. The winding roads invite you to slow travel to enjoy the beautiful panoramic views.
