Seven things not to miss this summer during a visit to the village of Ojén

It is one of the towns most dreamed of by those who idealize the Mediterranean coast, because it is situated on the slope of a mountain, sheltered by the mountain range, but at the same time clearly overlooking the sea, which is not far from there.

From its location, it is clear that Ojén is one of those privileged villages that have a lot to offer all year round, even when summer arrives.

On the perimeter of the urban center, Ojén preserves some natural shelters in the rock, which have been useful for centuries for keeping livestock or even storing agricultural products.

These caves are located both in the highest area of the urban center and just below it. The latter have been rehabilitated mainly for cultural use, while the former are ideally situated for taking a good photograph of the village with the Mediterranean on the horizon.

Although the sea, visible from parts of the village, is not far, in Ojén it is also possible to take a freshwater bath in the so-called Charco de las Viñas.

This is a pool located just a step away from the village of Ojén. Specifically, one must head towards the cemetery (the current one, not the old one) to find a steep descent, but which is made easier by its steps and a wooden handrail. As soon as the descent begins, the pool is perfectly visible, which until relatively recently was the swimming pool for many residents of this village in Málaga.

It is advisable to go early in the morning on weekdays if you want to be calm or even alone.

The streets adorned with colorful flowerpots, white facades, and narrow, steep streets are part of the beautiful labyrinth of Andalusian reminiscences in the old town of Ojén.

All this layout revolves around the Plaza de Andalucía, where the Church of the Incarnation is located, with its characteristic climbing lemon trees on one of its walls, and the emblematic Fuente de los Chorros, which is a symbol of the wealth in water resources that this municipality of Málaga has.

Tools and utensils from yesteryear are in a permanent collection in the urban center itself. Specifically, in the Museo del Molino del Aceite, which was once precisely an old oil mill. Not in vain, one can see the machinery that made it possible for olives to be transformed into the virtuous liquid gold.

This space also contains the Museo del Molino del Aguardiente. There, visitors can learn in detail the fascinating history of the drink that was once made by Pedro Morales, the 'ojén', a liquor that was painted by the very Picasso and appears in a novel by Camilo José Cela.

It's a walk to get there from the village through Calle Almadán, but it's worth reaching the botanical garden of Cerezal.

In this orchard, there are wild olive trees, olive trees, and holm oaks, but also strawberry trees, ferns, asparagus plants, mastic trees, brambles, fennels, or oleanders.

For much of the day, thanks to its leafy trees, the area is in full shade, which creates a true microclimate. It is worth going early in the morning or late in the afternoon when summer arrives.

When summer comes, one must not forget the Refugio del Juanar, a historic farmhouse that leads to one of the most valuable ecological enclaves in the southern area of the Sierra de las Nieves region.

In addition to being a hotel where famous personalities have stayed, at the Refugio del Juanar it is worth taking the route that leads to the Mirador del Macho Montés, which surprisingly overlooks the Mediterranean that bathes Marbella, either late in the afternoon or early in the morning.

There is a breakfast that has been surprising visitors to Ojén for years, offered by the bar 'Er Mojaíto', named this way because the churros, according to tradition, must be dipped in water and salt just before being put in the mouth. It is an atypical custom that, in most cases, tends to be fully satisfactory.

This establishment, located in the urban center itself, opposite a parking area, is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 8 and 13 hours.