There are full information packs available when you book accommodation in Cómpeta.
Tourist Information Office
Address: Avda. de Constitución s/n
Opening hours:
Summer: Tuesday till Friday: 9 - 14 and 15 - 18H
Saturday: 10 -15H
Winter: Wednesday till Saturday: 9 - 14H and 15 - 18H
Sunday: 10 - 15H
Telephone: 952 553685
turismo@competa.es
In the Tourist Office, you can find all the information on Cómpeta and the surrounding area. They have various information leaflets, know the walking routes and the best places to enjoy a good wine or a good meal.
Church
The church of our Lady of the Asumption (Nuestra Señora de la Asunción) was renovated in 2004 and much of its sixteenth century structure and ambience retained. The Mudejar roof and decoration, the parish church is one of the most emblematic buildings in Cómpeta. It has two murals painted by Paco Hernández, one dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin and the other to the Baptism of Jesus. The former occupies the whole façade of the main altar, the latter is situated in the Baptistery. Its decoration, perfectly conserved, speaks to us of its past in spite of the church's eventful past (during the Civil War, its statues were burned and fires were lit inside...). The front wall of the main altar is covered with a unique representation of the Assumption of the Virgin María. Its spire was damaged in the earthquake on Christmas Day 1884, and now its distinctive golden dome marks the location of the Plaza Almijara, the main square in the village.
The church remains open for most of the day which means that you may visit it during the morning or the afternoon to say a prayer or to simply admire its rich art content. The artistic culture of the village is expressed in the church's environs.
The Patron Saints of the village are the Virgen de los Dolores and Saint Sebastián, the Virgen de la Asunción is the Patron Saint of the parish.
Plaza Almijara
There is a saying in the village: a day without passing by the square is a day without living. The Plaza Almijara has been the centre of the village for centuries.
It is the meeting point for gatherings, strolls, conversation between friends and all social activity between the villagers. In the past, farm workers were contracted for pruning and grape harvesting in the square.
Nowadays it is also a small "City of Babel" where people of different nationalities and cultures can be found.
Culture Centre
There are several exhibitions at the Cultural Centre throughout the year - local artists, students taking painting courses and the Night of the Wine Exhibition (Noche del Vino) form part of the calender.
Cemetery
For the Spanish it is normal but for the foreigners, the way of burying the deceased is different. As the ground here is rocky, our ancestors have invented the system of putting the bodies in a niche in a wall.
The burial takes place on the following day as the Mediterranean climate does not allow the body to be left for long after death. When someone dies, the church bells sound. Family and friends meet at the deceased's house to keep vigil over the body and keep the family company.
Next day during the evening, they go to the church and from there they go to the cemetery where they say farewell to the deceased and give their condolences to the family.
The second of November is the Día de los Difuntos (the Day of the Deceased). On this day the family goes to the cemetery to put flowers on the grave and remember the person who has died.
Nerja Caves
- east of Nerja - about 30km
Open:
July-August: Every day from 10.00h to 14.00h, and from 16.00h to 20.00h.
September-June: Every day from 10.00h to 14.00h, and from 16.00h to 18.30h.
Situated 3 kilometres from Nerja town centre and well signposted.
Undergound caverns with stalagmites, stalagtites & columns
The world's widest column
Grand centre column in the Sala del Cataclismo (Cataclysm Hall) reaches a height of 32 metres
Karstic cavities formed by erosion of marble by water
Palaeolithic wall paintings
Restaurant
Museum
These are breathtaking beautiful caves, some of the best in Europe, that should not be missed if the opportunity arises. Each July a festival of flamenco music and dance is held inside the caves.
Balcón de Europa
- a natural promontory stretching out into the sea in central Nerja. A good place for a stroll.
Granada
- Loymertours travel agency sell tickets to the Alhambra and sometimes arrange tours.
