Nígüelas - The Oldest Oil Mill in Spain and Olive Oil Tasting
About an hour’s scenic drive from Nerja — heading past the coastline of Almuñécar and turning inland through the fertile Lecrín Valley, lies Nígüelas, a peaceful whitewashed village at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. It’s a place where olive groves climb the hillsides and time moves at a slower, sun-warmed pace.
At first glance, Nígüelas might look like many other small Andalusian villages, but it holds a rare treasure: the oldest working olive oil mill in Spain, known locally as La Erilla Oil Mill Interpretations Centre. Dating back to the 15th century, this historic mill preserves the ancient craft of olive pressing, a ritual of stone, wood, and patience that still defines the soul of Andalusia.
Strolling through the village, you’ll catch the scent of wild rosemary and olive leaves in the air. The narrow streets lead gently toward the old mill, just beside the church of San Juan Bautista. Inside, time stands still: huge grinding stones, timber beams, and rustic presses tell the story of how generations transformed the valley’s fruit into liquid gold, drop by drop.
Today, Almazara La Erilla has become a small museum and interpretation centre, open to visitors who wish to experience how olive oil was made centuries ago. Guided tours reveal each stage of the process, from hand-harvesting to pressing, and you can taste local extra virgin oils from the surrounding Lecrín Valley - rich, peppery, and full of the mountain sun. You can buy tickets for museum only with your own audio or guided tour and also tastings afterwards of the different oils. And of course, plenty of olive oils are there for sale.
If you visit in autumn, you might catch the olive harvest season, when villagers fill the fields and the air smells of freshly pressed oil. Local shops sell bottles straight from the mill, pure Andalusian sunshine to take home.
For anyone who loves history, food, and the quiet rhythm of rural life, Nígüelas is worth every twist of the road from Nerja.
Contact Details:
Almazara La Erilla – The Oldest Olive Oil Mill in Spain
Address: Calle Canalón 12, 18657 Nígüelas (Granada) Phone: +34 649 223 415 / +34 958 280 928
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 – 14:00 Saturday, Sunday & holidays: 9:30 – 13:30
(Visits at other times by appointment; it’s always worth calling ahead.)
