Bedmar y Garcíez

Set amongst olive groves, mountains and the murmur of the River Cuadros, Bedmar y Garcíez brings together nature, history and adventure within a single municipality. Its two main centres, Bedmar and the small village of Garcíez, are an ideal starting point for exploring the Sierra Mágina step by step, enjoying a wide variety of landscapes and a heritage that speaks of centuries of frontier life and rural traditions.

The Cuadros River valley is the region’s main natural axis. From its source,visitors can explore unique areas such as the Adelfal de Cuadros, one of the most extensive oleander forests in southern Spain, and discover sites such as the Cuevas del Río Cuadros, the refreshing Cueva del Agua or the nearby Barranco Perejil, ideal for hiking and cycling amongst rock formations and small gorges.

For those seeking more excitement, the Al-Manzur Via Ferrata and the trails of the Serrezuela de Bedmar allow you to gain height, look out over the valley and enjoy sweeping views of the olive groves and the peaks of Mágina.

From these hills, one can appreciate the strategic importance of the area, historically defended by the Castillo Nuevo de Bedmar, built in 1411 by the Order of Santiago, and by structures such as the Torreón de Cuadros, a former border watchtower. At the top of the Serrezuela, the remains of the Old Castle still stand, bearing witness to the town’s defensive origins. And in the town centre, the Gothic-Renaissance church rounds off the visit with its imposing bell tower, one of the landscape’s major landmarks.

In Garcíez, the Palace of the Marquis of Viana and the parish church serve as reminders of this village’s stately past.
Bedmar is also a leading centre for scientific outreach thanks to Paleomágina, a UNESCO centre in Andalusia since 2021. It offers a journey through the prehistory of the Sierra Mágina and the relationship between humans, the climate and the land, featuring exhibitions, educational activities and lectures. Here you can learn how prehistoric communities lived and gain an insight into the work of an archaeologist or a scientist.

From these hills, one can appreciate the strategic importance of the area, historically defended by the Castillo Nuevo de Bedmar, built in 1411 by the Order of Santiago, and by structures such as the Torreón de Cuadros, a former border watchtower. At the top of the Serrezuela, the remains of the Old Castle still stand, bearing witness to the town’s defensive origins. And in the town centre, the Gothic-Renaissance church rounds off the visit with its imposing bell tower, one of the major landmarks of the landscape.

In Garcíez, the Palace of the Marquis of Viana and the parish church are reminders of this village’s stately past.

Bedmar is also a leading centre for scientific outreach thanks to Paleomágina, a UNESCO centre in Andalusia since 2021. It offers a journey through the prehistory of the Sierra Mágina and the relationship between humans, the climate and the land, featuring exhibitions, educational activities and lectures. Here you can learn how prehistoric communities lived and gain an insight into the work of an archaeologist or a scientist.

Added to this heritage is the olive-growing culture, with the Cooperativa Bedmarense and its Magnasur extra virgin olive oil, an example of excellence and certified quality. Furthermore, Bedmar is home to the headquarters of the Designation of Origin, a modern building featuring sweeping views of the landscape and an interpretation centre.

Festivals and local cuisine give visitors a glimpse into the town’s everyday life. The pilgrimage to the Virgen de Cuadros and the celebrations for San Marco go hand in hand with a cuisine rooted in the countryside and local produce, reinforcing the town’s welcoming atmosphere.

In Bedmar y Garcíez, you can walk alongside the river and amongst oleanders, run along paths overlooking the mountains, or ‘soar’ over the valley from its rocky cliffs and viewpoints.