A Guide to Ojen, a Pretty Town Near Marbella
Ojén is a mountainside town near the famous beach resort of Marbella, making it a good day trip option.
Is Ojén worth visiting? My answer is that it depends.
I wouldn’t travel all the way from Malaga to visit Ojen, but if you’re local, somewhere like Marbella is a good place to spend a few hours or go for a hike.
There aren’t many things to do and see, but I like Ojen for a meal with a view and a change of scenery. It definitely feels less touristy than the coastal towns.
If you are wondering what to do in Ojen, I’m covering the main attractions, where to eat, and other useful information for your trip in this guide.
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Things to do in Ojen
1. Admire the views from the Caves of Ojen
If you’ve ever seen Ojen on social media, you’ve probably come across the photo of its main cave, which is also a fantastic viewpoint.
However, there are two caves in the town. Both are in the exact location, almost on top of each other.
The one at the bottom is called Cueva de las Campanas. You’ll see a small entry point to get inside. This cave doesn’t have much to see, and the smell is very unpleasant, so I wouldn’t recommend it.
Stairs lead to the one at the top, called Cueva de las Columnas. It’s an open cave overlooking gorgeous town views, especially on a clear day. You get a birds-eye view of Ojen – its white-painted buildings, its mountains and a peek of the sea.
Both caves were restored and opened in 2005. These caves, like many others in the area, were once the shelter of Neolithic families.
2. Wander the streets of Ojen
Do you love the traditional white-painted streets of Andalusian villages? Then you’re in for a treat.
The house owners take pride in the external decoration, so walking the streets is lovely. You’ll see beautiful doors, plants, and flowers.
However, be prepared to walk up and down as the town is hilly.
Wandering the streets sounds like a simple activity, but it’s among my favourite things to do in Ojen. There are some great opportunities for street photography.
3. Take a look inside the Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación
Parish Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation is a catholic church in Ojen centre.
Initially, it was a mosque but was transformed into a church around 1500. However, the Moors burnt it around 1568 in one of their attacks. Different priests helped with the reconstruction of this.
Nowadays, it’s one of the most emblematic buildings in Ojen. The exterior is beautiful with its white and gold features, bell tower and two palm trees on the sides of the main entrance.
When you go inside, you can admire the religious statues and touches of Mudejar architecture.
4. See Fuente de los Chorros
Located on one of the sides of the church, this fountain is unmissable.
This typical five-tap fountain was built in 1905 and was the main water supply for the locals in the past.
It’s next to a newer fountain, and a small wooden bridge connects both.
5. Visit the Mill Museum
El Museo del Molino is a must-see in Ojen. It’s small, but I recommend visiting it, especially if you’re interested in the local cuisine.
This restored mill displays how olive oil was produced in the past. You can see the exact machinery and process.
However, it isn’t the only product that was made in this mill. The museum also tells you the history of aguardiente, a liqueur that originated in the town in the second half of the nineteenth century.
The museum is open from 10 am to 4 pm every Tuesday to Saturday.
It also sometimes hosts small photography exhibitions.
6. Go to the monthly street market
There are themed street markets every second weekend of the month. It takes place in the main square, so you won’t miss it if you’re in Ojen by chance on that date.
7. Hike La Concha
Adventurers and hikers alike who love a challenge must check out this hiking trail.
This route starts near El Refugio del Juanar and takes you to La Concha Peak. It’s challenging, but the breathtaking mountains, sea and Gibraltar Strait views make it worthy.
You can expect to see goat mountains and stunning vegetation on the way.
I haven’t done it yet, but my friend has told me there aren’t many signs to show you the path, and some areas are quite challenging.
I don’t think it’s for everyone, so do your research first, and if you think it’s okay for you, wear good hiking shoes, take water and snacks. The duration is about six hours.
Where to eat in Ojen
Restaurante Bar Castillo Solis
I’d heard that there are some good restaurants in Ojen before my visit. As I always do, I research where to eat. Food is very important to me.
I had another restaurant on my list, but unfortunately, it was closed on the day I visited Ojen. Instead, my partner and I decided to try Castillo Solis restaurant.
Unlike others, it’s a short walk from Ojen Caves, and it wasn’t empty.
They had a menu del día that included a starter, a main course, a dessert, bread, and a drink. It was very good value, but we ordered a la carte.
I really enjoyed the Pil Pil prawns and Iberian pork with homemade chips.
The food was good, and the waitress was very friendly. It’s definitely a place to eat, like at an Andalusian home.
Other food recommendations
- El Refugio del Juanar. It isn’t Ojen town, but a short drive. It’s a good restaurant to stop for lunch after a long walk or on your way to visit other places in the area. It’s famous for its meat dishes, such as roasted lamb and Segovia-style pork.
- Churrería “Er Mojaito”. Whether you want breakfast or a mid-afternoon coffee, this cafe is the best in Ojen. They serve delicious churros, molletes (traditional Andalusian sandwiches) and coffee. Also, it’s pretty cheap!
Where to stay in Ojen
You have many more activities and accommodation options in Marbella than in Ojen, but if you want to stay longer here, these are some recommendations:
- La Posada del Ángel. It’s a minute’s walk from Plaza de Andalucia, Ojen’s main square. This accommodation consists of Moorish-style rooms and houses. The rooms are charming and have comfortable beds, TV, air conditioning and private bathrooms. They also have a double room with a lovely private terrace. The townhouses are perfect for families and have all the necessary facilities. Regardless of your pick, you can access the swimming pool and restaurant.
🛏️ Check out availability and price here.
- Hotel El Refugio del Juanar. Are you looking to stay in a rural hotel with beautiful natural surroundings? If you want somewhere quiet and a great base for hiking, check out El Refugio del Juanar. I wouldn’t say the room decoration is to my taste, but it is a good choice if you’re more interested in somewhere to sleep with good access to walking routes.
How to get to Ojen
If you travel from Marbella, you can get the bus to Ojen from Marbella bus station.
The timetable isn’t great as the buses aren’t regular, so my advice is to check the times in advance.
You can take bus number 80 from gate 5. You’ll need to pay the bus driver in cash; card payments aren’t accepted. The ticket is only 1,39 euros.
On my way to Marbella, I waited for the bus at the bus stop opposite the petrol station, a short walk from the caves.
The bus was supposed to arrive at 17:05 but didn’t turn up until 17:50, so the bus service here isn’t always the best.
You might want to order an Uber or Bolt to get back to Marbella. The average price is 15 euros per ride.
Map of Ojen attractions
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ojen?
Ojen is a mountainside village between Sierra de las Nieves and Marbella.
When is the best time to visit Ojen?
Anytime except for summer. It can get very hot.
Is Ojen near Marbella?
Yes, it’s a 17-minute drive from Marbella Centre.
Conclusion on visiting Ojen
Ojen can be a lovely escape from popular Costa del Sol towns like Marbella and Estepona.
You can spend a few hours seeing the sights and having a nice meal, or a bit longer if you pair it with a hiking trail.
If you want more inspiration for Costa del Sol, join my Facebook group, where I share more insider tips and answer other travellers’ questions.
Enjoy your visit to Ojen!
Cristina
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