Daimalos can be found along the twisting mountain road between Archez and Velez Malaga. Having passed Corumbela, the road leaves the Competa valley and heads down towards the coast. The few kilometers from Corumbela to Daimalos will take you through groves of almond trees that blossom in early spring and colour the hillside white.

The village itself is typical of the region with it’s whitewashed buildings and steep, narrow streets. It is more of a hamlet than a village and has a tiny population of about 50 people. Of the 40 or so houses, just over half are occupied and a lot of the young people tend to move to the coast or the cities when they come of age. The majority of men work in the campo tending daily to their almonds, olives or vines. The village is well known locally for producing a rich wine called “Oloroso”.

The village name is said to have originated from the Arabic word for Cortijo or group of farmhouses. Like many of the villages o­n the Mudejar Route in the Axarquia, all paths lead to the church. In Daimalos the Church is called  La Iglesia de la Concepcion and was built on the site of a 13^th Century Mosque with a Mudejar Minaret or tower. This was later turned into a belfry by the conquering Christians.

This is a quiet place; traditionally Spanish and unaffected by tourism. The local economy is driven by agriculture and the village has a great sense of community. However if you need to find a bar or some traditional Spanish food, Arenas is o­nly o­ne and a half kilometres away and has all the necessary amenities. Competa and the coast are about a 25 minute drive away.

Although Daimalos is tiny, they still celebrate their fiestas with a passion and o­n these special days the people gather o­n trestle tables in the square at the bottom of the village. Here they drink and eat local dishes such as breadcrumbs fried in garlic known as Migas, whilst they are entertained with music and dancing. The small plaza is also home to an Arabic Fountain that local legend says contains aphrodisiac qualities. Rumour has it that a drink from the fountain can lead to marriage!