El Borge - The Raisin Sun, the Wild Past of Axarquía and the famous Bandit - El Bizco del Borge
The Raisin Capital of Axarquia
Tucked into the rolling hills of the Axarquía, between the vineyards and olive groves that ripple inland from Málaga’s coastline, lies the whitewashed village of El Borge. Its name comes from the Arabic — “the tower” — a reminder of the region’s Moorish roots and the centuries of history that have shaped this tranquil corner of Andalusia.
El Borge is known as the “raisin capital” of the Axarquía and forms part of the celebrated Ruta de la Pasa, the Raisin Route. Here, the ancient tradition of drying Muscatel grapes in the late summer sun still continues much as it did hundreds of years ago. On the hillsides surrounding the village, you can see the paseros — raised beds covered with straw mats — where grapes are spread out to dry under the open sky until they turn into the deep, golden raisins that made this area famous.
Each September, El Borge comes alive for Día de la Pasa, a joyful festival that celebrates this age-old craft. Locals share plates of migas and paella, offer visitors sweet Muscatel wine, and fill the streets with music and dance. It’s one of those rare moments when time seems to stand still — when modern life pauses, and the village reconnects with the rhythm of the earth, the sun and the vine.
History has not always been kind to El Borge. Like much of the Axarquía, it was a Moorish stronghold during the time of Al-Andalus and later one of the “Four Villages” that resisted Christian conquest with fierce pride. Centuries later, phylloxera wiped out most of its vineyards, and earthquakes shook its foundations. Yet El Borge endured — rebuilt, replanted, and re-rooted in the same red soil that has always sustained it.
The Land of Legend - the Cross Eyed Bandit
This land also bred legends, none greater than that of El Bizco de El Borge — Luis Muñoz García, born here in 1837 and known across Andalusia as one of its most famous bandits. To some, he was a criminal who terrorised the mountain passes; to others, a rebel hero who fought against injustice and poverty. His story is woven into the identity of the village, where his old home has been turned into La Posada del Bandolero.
If you follow the gun shaped tilkes along the cobbled streets, they will lead you straight to the Museo del Bandolero, the Museum of Bandits.
Inside, more than a thousand artefacts tell the story of a turbulent time when the rugged sierras of Málaga were filled with outlaws and fugitives. Pistols, letters, portraits and folklore all come together to paint a vivid picture of a region caught between survival and rebellion. The museum captures the strange romance of that world — the same wild beauty and solitude that once inspired fear now draws travellers in search of stories, history and authenticity.
Follow the Cobble Streets of Past and Present
Walking through El Borge today, it’s easy to feel the echoes of both past and present. The scent of vine leaves and jasmine floats through the narrow streets, white walls glow under the Andalusian sun, and the mountains rise softly in the distance. From following the cobbled streets with ceramics painted as guns, to ceramics painted as vinegrapes, so much little details, walk slowly and enjoy. Stop by the Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, rest under the shade of the ancient fountain, or wander uphill to glimpse the vineyards from above — every corner seems to whisper a story.
For those who love old stories of bandoleros - mixed with mindful travel, El Borge is more than just a stop on a scenic route. It’s a place where nature and tradition, legend and everyday life blend into a quiet harmony. You can taste it in a spoonful of ajoblanco, feel it in the warmth of the sun-dried grapes between your fingers, and hear it in the laughter that spills from a shaded terrace as locals pour another glass of Muscate wine.
If you’re planning a slow adventure from Nerja, this is one of those day trips that touches all the senses. Stroll through the vineyards, visit the Bandit Museum, and take a moment to breathe in the peaceful rhythm of village life.
Discover the story behind El Borge — where sun-kissed raisins meet mountain legends, and every path leads back to the soul of Andalusia.
