The tiny village of Montejaque (population around 800) is in the south-western Andalucia region of Spain. It is one of the 'white towns' (Spanish: ''pueblos blancos'') of the Sierra la Grazalema national park, majestically nestled between two bluffs to the north and south.

The tiny, non-English speaking '''tourist information office''' is on the left hand side as you enter the village (opposite the Guardia Civil office) and can provide pamphlets (but little else) on accommodation and guided tours of the region.

Get in

Once daily buses arrive in the village centre from Ronda (via Benaojan) but the train station connects the town with major centres via Rodna. However the train station is a rather inconvenient 7 km out of the village, so you will have to organise transport (or hitch) from there.

See and do

There is little to do in Montejaque other than sit back with a ''sangria'' and soak up some authentic village atmosphere. You can '''climb''' the southern bluff from a path behind the village for a spectacular view, although some bouldering experience may come in handy for this. There are also a number of well-marked '''walks''' from Montejaque through the national park, including a 9 km (3 hour) trek to nearby Benaojan.

Buy

There is a '''Unicaja bank''' (with an ATM that accepts foreign cards) along the main road into the village.

Eat and drink

Most of Montejaque's half-dozen restaurants and bars (which also serve food and ''tapas'') are clustered around the central square, although there are also a few scattered along the main road into town.
  • '''Bar Ticino''' is one such place in the square, offering good quality ''tapas'' from ?0.80, ''bocadillos'' from ?2.00 and the best ''cafe cortada'' in town.
  • Next door, the three star hotel also has a '''restaurant''' serving classier interpretations of traditional Spanish fare from ?8.00.
  • '''Restaurant La Casita''', Calle Estrecha 3 (''see Sleep for directions'') is a family-run restaurant next to the La Casita villas.
  • Sleep

    There are only a few accommodation options in the village.
  • '''La Casita de Sierra''', Calle Estrecha 3 (''Tel: 952 167392; Fax: 952 167299; Email: info@casistasdelasierra.com; walk / drive along the main road entering the town and take the road to the left of the Unicaja bank, you will see signs from here'') has small villas (with a shared pool) to let. There is also a restaurant in the complex.
  • '''Hostal Bar La Cabana II''' (''Tel: 952 167120; Mobile: 677 376883; walk / drive along the main road entering the town, turn right at the Guardia Civil station and climb the steep path until you see signs for the hostal'') is by far the cheapest option in Montejaque. Although the friendly family that run Bar La Cabana don't rent out dirt cheap rooms above the bar anymore, you can get rooms with private bath in the ''hostal'' behind it from ?20. There is no reception so phone ahead to arrange accommodation. If you arrive unannounced, you may have to chase up the manager Antonio Garcia, who works as the chef at the restaurant in the La Casita complex (see above for directions) or try his mobile.
  • The swankiest place in town is recently-opened '''three star hotel''' in the central square, with single rooms starting at ?45.
  • Get out

    There is a daily bus service to Ronda, although you may want to drive or hike through other ''pubelos blancos'' nearby, including Grazalema and Benaojan.