Located 90 kilometres north of Gibraltar, Ubrique is located near the Ubrique River. One of many towns along the route of the “Pueblos Blancos or White Villages,” Ubrique is nestled in the middle of the Grazalema Mountains. As one of the larger “white villages,” Ubrique offers more to do than many neighbouring villages, but the area remains more appealing to those looking for a destination that is off the beaten path.

 

Ubrique blends medieval buildings with modern charm and conveniences. This mountain town is close to many natural parks and hiking trails.

Ubrique certainly dates back to the times of the Romans, at least. Archaeologists have turned up stone tablets, Roman coins, and pillars dating back to the Roman era. It is felt that Romans chose this spot due to its convenient location as being in the middle of the mountain route. Romans could have used the mountain route for trade and to establish a stronghold against invaders.

 

Eventually, Roman control faded away and the area became under the rule of the Moors. They built a large castle, Fatíma Castle, to ensure an undefeatable stronghold. In the 1400s, the area came under Christian control and was a thriving producer of leather goods for many years.

 

In the 19th century, Cholera took the lives of many residents. Ubrique took a century to recover. Today the leather industry is a major part of Ubrique’s foundation.

Located in the middle of the Parc Natural de la Sierra de Grazalema, Ubrique is a great stop on the way to many of the park’s hiking trails. The scenery in the Parc Natural is breathtaking.

 

Built during the 12th and 13th centuries, Castillo de la Fátima is a must-see. Built as a fortress against invaders, the castle is packed with architectural details that cannot be missed.

 

Three area churches all deserve a few moments of viewing. Convento de Capuchinos (built during the 17th century,) Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la O (built in the 18th century), and Iglesia de Jesús (built between the 17th and 18th centuries) offer amazing period features.

 

If you are in Ubrique during the month of February, do not hesitate to take part of the huge Carnaval. This yearly event features music, dancing, parades, and many other festivities. Sample some local dishes while enjoying the entertainment.

While leather goods are top of the list, Ubrique’s second thriving industry is automobile and motorcycle repair. Many area residents rely on personal vehicles to get to neighbouring city. Auto mechanics are needed to fix the vehicles, and many auto repair shops are located within the area.

 

Construction and real estate are third on the list. As the population of Ubrique expands, more houses and businesses are needed. Many area builders are employed within Ubrique’s boundaries. Real estate companies are needed to sell and rent the properties in the town.

 

Tourism is not one of Ubrique’s main industries. The town houses fewer than one dozen restaurants and two hotels, so you cannot afford to be too fussy if you choose to stay in Ubrique. If the hotels are not to your liking, you can opt to say in one of the area’s guesthouses.

Typically, the foods of Ubrique are meant to intertwine with the regional wines and sherries. Wild game, fresh seafood, and local cheeses are staples.

 

There are two Italian restaurants within Ubrique. Both restaurants are well received by the locals. Expect them to serve typical Italian fare with locally produced wines and sherries as beverages.

 

Other area restaurants tend to specialize in hot gazpacho soup, dishes involving fresh asparagus, and the Muslim inspired Alfajor cookies (a sweet round pastry joined together with caramel or chocolate).

Life in Ubrique is rather quiet come the evening hours. There are a few tapas bars where patrons can enjoy a glass of wine or sherry and dine on tidbits of local food such as olives, cheeses, smoked meats, sausages, and even rabbit stew.

 

Dance clubs and concerts are not found in the area. Guests looking for this type of activity should head to the larger cities and towns.

Though not your typical tourist trap, Ubrique does offer many fascinating archaeology sites and attractive scenery. It is worthwhile to make Ubrique a stop on your list of areas to see while travelling the route of the white villages. A good suggestion is to browse some of the local specialty shops for fine leather products! You can buy some handcrafted shoes and be the talk of the town when you return from vacation.

 

Do not plan an entire vacation around Ubrique, you will run out of things to do and see. Instead, definitely plan a day trip to this unique city. Enjoy the area for a few hours of your day and then move on to neighbouring villages on the Pueblos Blancos route.

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