Details

Situated o­n the side of Mount Poron in the Serrania de Ronda this village was o­nce the site of a castle which overlooked Gaucin and other surrounding settlements.It is said that the castle was connected by underground passages to the castles of Gaucin and Casares.The village is accessed by a small winding road that links up with the A-369.The views of the village from the main road in the early morning mist are awesome so if you can get up early enough then take your camera because you can really get a sense of the local climate as you see the cloud cling o­nto the surrounding mountains and make Benarraba look somewhat vulnerable.

This is a lovely little village which has received acclaim for its hand made pork products and its main income is from woodcutting, agriculture and cattle farming.Although in recent years tourism has entered the frame with the village’s hotel the “Banu Rabah” which is in a fantastic location overlooking the Genal Valley.

Uncertainty surrounds the founding of the village but its origins are thought to be linked to the Benimerines who are thought to have given the village its names, which means the sons of Rabbah.

The village itself is small with a lovely plaza lined with orange and lemon trees and charmingly dilapidated old houses o­n the outside.At the end of the plaza is the “Ermita Cristo de la Vera Cruz” Church which although has seen better days is still the main attraction of this village.The side streets are worth a wonder with flowers and plants lining the narrow whitewashed streets…especially during the siesta when the village is deserted and you can wonder the streets in absolute peace and not hear a thing.

There are a couple of small bars, but if your looking for loud music and all night raves than head back down towards the coast…all you get here are the obligatory old Spanish men that go silent as you walk in.Aviod Benarraba in the heat of the summer sun, instead visit during the autumn and spring where it is cooler and much clearer.