Almáchar, situated 26 kilometres from Málaga and 24 kilometres from Vélez-Málaga is one of the jewels of the Axarquia. This unspoiled historic village retains much of the Moorish influences of days gone bye. Its narrow streets lead down to the oldest part of the village where the Church of San Mateo can be found. Almáchar is famous for its raisins or "pasas". The grapes are grown on the slopes surrounding the village and, once harvested, are traditionally sun dried to form raisins. The village holds a fiesta each year to celebrate the harvest. Almáchar has 2 banks, several small supermarkets, chemist, health centre, school and municple swimming pool.