The area of Axarquia is the most eastern in the province of Malaga. It borders with Granada and its coastal municipalities like Rincon de la Victoria, Algarrobo, Torre del Mar, Velez-Malaga, and Nerja that form the eastern part of the well known Costa del Sol in Southern Spain. Axarquia has about 20 localities.

We begin our trip round Axarquía at the capital of the region, Velez-Malaga, which became a city in 1847, and currently has a population of 70,000 inhabitants. Velez-Malaga is the largest city of the region, and is the site of important archaeological findings such as the Maritime City of Maenoba, from the Roman era. Velez-Malaga has traditionally lived from agriculture and fishing, but in recent decades the economy has been principally based around tourism.

Leaving Velez-Malaga behind, we head west until we reach Rincón de la Victoria, a town of more than 30,000 inhabitants which borders with Malaga, and whose economic development is closely linked with the capital of the Costa del Sol. In Rincon de la Victoria, it is worth visiting the Roman settlement of the Benagalbón Tower and the Cueva del Tesoro (Treasure Cave).

Moving to the east we come to Nerja, the most easterly municipality of the province of Malaga, close to the Costa Tropical of Granada, a locality whose principal economic activity is tourism. Nerja features in a popular television series called “Verano Azul” (Blue Summer), which has served to publicise the locality. There are around 25,000 inhabitants, and they have been successful in exploiting the resources of the area, both the natural resources such the Nerja Caves and the beaches, and the space they enjoy for catering to tourism. One of the attractions of Nerja is the “Balcony of Europe” an ideal viewing point from which to enjoy great sea views.

Following the coastline, in the municipality of Velez-Malaga we find the small town Algarrobo, home to some 5,000 inhabitants. Here you will find Arabic architecture, and an impressive cultural patrimony including the Phoenician Necropolis of Trayamar.

As well as the coastal communities, the county of Axarquia has some interesting places to visit in the interior. There are lots of small municipalities which for centuries have been dedicated to agriculture and livestock, and which have maintained many of their traditions until today. The proximity to the coast means that fishing is also an important source of income for many of these places. Let's begin out tour in Torrox, a town of around 20,000 inhabitants, including a significant number of German residents, close to the Sierra Almijara. Here you will find Phoenician tombs, and an important lighthouse on the coastal part of the territory.
In the west of the county, near Nerja, we find the locality of Frigiliana, and next to this Competa y Sedella where you can visit the ruins of an ancient fortress.

Other interesting places to visit in the county of Axarquiia are Benamargosa, Benajarafe, Viñuela, Canillas de Aceituno and Totalan, amongst others.