Free visits and prizes in Rincón de la Victoria to celebrate International Tourism Day

The City Council of Rincón de la Victoria, through its Department of Tourism, has presented a full program of activities for the celebration of International Tourism Day 2025, which will take place from September 26 to 28. The program includes a wide range of free activities for all audiences, such as heritage tours, concerts, gamified routes, and the popular Oktoberfest at Plaza Al-Ándalus.

The mayor of Rincón de la Victoria, Francisco Salado, highlighted: "This celebration represents a unique opportunity to showcase the best of our municipality to both residents and visitors. We have designed a program that allows access to our most valuable heritage, with open doors at Cueva del Tesoro, Cueva de la Victoria, and Villa Antiopa, combining culture, leisure, and gastronomy in three unforgettable days that reinforce our position as a leading tourist destination on the Costa del Sol."

Recognition

On Friday, September 26, the celebration will begin in Benagalbón with the presentation of the International Tourism Day Award to Eco&Dive, a local company that since 2009 has been pioneering in the conservation and enhancement of the municipality's marine heritage.

This distinction recognizes internationally significant achievements such as receiving the HOPE SPOT Mar de Alborán recognition by the Mission Blue Foundation of Dr. Sylvia Earle, participation in the United Nations Congress for the Oceans in Nice 2025, or the visit of Queen Sofia in 2020 to one of their beach cleaning activities.

Pedro David Avilés Jiménez and Gemma Infante, founders of Eco&Dive, have positioned Rincón de la Victoria as a reference for responsible underwater tourism in the Mediterranean, developing conservation projects for Posidonia, Seahorsemed, and marine biodiversity.

Mayor Francisco Salado emphasized: "The recognition of Eco&Dive highlights the work of local companies that have positioned Rincón de la Victoria on the international map of sustainable marine tourism. Their efforts over more than 15 years have significantly contributed to our marine environments being recognized worldwide."

After the award ceremony, at 9:00 PM, there will be a gospel concert in the square of the Church of Benagalbón, with free admission.

On Saturday, September 27, the main day of the celebration, the two most emblematic heritage sites of the municipality, Cueva del Tesoro and Villa Antiopa, will open their doors for free with special guided tours at 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

Additionally, on Saturday, September 27 at 12:30 PM, a unique experience with free access to Cueva de la Victoria will be offered to 10 people. This special activity is aimed at participants over 10 years old and under 70 years old, without mobility issues, given the active speleological tourism nature of this cave that preserves Paleolithic rock paintings and Neolithic burials.

Cueva del Tesoro, the only visitable marine-origin cave in Europe, will allow visitors to delve into its galleries formed millions of years ago by the action of the sea. This unique geological space houses spectacular formations and rock paintings over 20,000 years old, and is shrouded in legends and stories from prehistory, through Rome and Al-Andalus.

Villa Antiopa, one of the best-preserved Roman villas in Andalusia from the 3rd century AD, will offer an immersive experience in Roman aristocratic life.

Visitors will be able to admire its perfectly preserved original mosaics and learn, through innovative museographic resources, how patrician families lived on the Malaga coast nearly 2,000 years ago.

Reservations for these free tours will open on Monday, September 22 at 12:00 PM through the website. Given the limited capacity, it is recommended to make reservations as soon as possible.

The Department of Tourism of Rincón de la Victoria has prepared a special mobility program that will allow residents and visitors to discover the municipality comfortably and enjoyably. Thus, on Saturday, September 27, the tourist train will offer 300 completely free trips from the historic Casa Fuerte Bezmiliana. The established schedules are in the morning session: 10:45, 11:45, and 12:45 (150 seats); and in the afternoon session: 4:45, 5:45, and 6:45 (150 seats).

Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until full capacity is reached. Each tour will last approximately one hour, allowing participants to explore the main attractions of the municipality: beaches, promenade, cliffs of El Cantal, and historical monuments.

On September 26 and 28, the tourist train will maintain a special reduced fare of 3.50 euros per person during its regular schedule.

Additionally, on the same Saturday, a digital alternative with gamified routes will be offered through a free mobile app available on Google Play (Android) and App Store (iOS). Participants who complete the routes will receive a free ticket to Villa Antiopa (all participants) and a bag of exclusive souvenirs from Villa Antiopa (the first 10 in the ranking).

The Councilor for Tourism, Antonio José Martín, stated: "We have worked intensively to create a program that reflects the diversity and richness of our tourist offer. The free access to the main attractions on the 27th reflects our commitment to making heritage accessible to all citizens, while the gamified routes connect with new ways to discover the territory in a playful and interactive manner."

Beer

Plaza Al-Ándalus will transform from September 26 to 28 into the festive epicenter with the celebration of Oktoberfest, which will feature top-level musical programming. On Friday 26, the evening will start at 8:30 PM with Dance & Dreams performing traditional German dance, followed at 10:00 PM by Queen of Magic, one of the best Queen tributes in the scene. On Saturday 27 at 10:00 PM, it will be the turn of Maika La Vega Band with their pop-rock show, while on Sunday 28, the festival will close with BANDido (3:00 PM), also with their pop-rock repertoire that promises to get everyone moving.

The Oktoberfest in Rincón de la Victoria will feature a varied international gastronomic offering at Plaza Al-Ándalus. Birra Art will set up several stands with a selection of craft beers, from traditional German varieties to innovative Mediterranean flavors.

The culinary offerings will include Argentine grill, Mexican cuisine, Chilean dishes, and German specialties.