The Museo de Artes Populares was founded in 1995 on the initiative of local residents to preserve local roots and cultural traditions. Its collection is shaped by two areas: a traditional farmhouse, and agricultural equipment and tools typical of the area. Most of the objects were donated by people from the community. The farmhouse section has a different focus from the equipment and tools: it is about traditional living, while the latter are about agricultural work. The fact that much of the collection comes from the local community adds its contribution to these themes.
Church, music and cultural traditions
The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria was built in the 16th century and is the oldest church in the municipality. It houses murals by Francisco Hernández Díaz depicting the Annunciation, the Purification of Mary and the Assumption. These subjects give the church an art-historical focus that clearly differs from the themes of the Museo de Artes Populares: sacred visual art rather than traditional living and agricultural tools.
The Centro de Estudios del Folclore Malagueño is dedicated to preserving and sharing the musical traditions of the province of Málaga, particularly Verdiales singing. One specific competition format is the Concurso Tradicional de Verdiales: two groups compete in a “choque de pandas,” speeding up the Verdiales rhythm until one group makes a mistake. This provides a way to understand Verdiales both as a musical tradition and through the described format of a contest.
The Feria de Benagalbón is dedicated to Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria. A procession through the streets of the town was part of the programme for the 2026 Feria. Another cultural experience is the Certamen de Pintura Joven al Aire Libre “Paco Alonso-Fundación Unicaja,” held in Benagalbón as part of the Semana Cultural. The works focus on the landscapes, views and features of Benagalbón, as well as artistic interpretations of the town. While the Feria’s programme includes its religious dedication and procession, the Certamen focuses on artistic engagement with the town.
Hiking trail and practical information
For an outdoor activity, the officially approved SL-A 084 hiking trail is a clearly defined option. It runs from Cerro Benagalbón to Cerro Tío Caña and is designated as a linear trail. It can be used on foot, by bicycle and on horseback. The total distance for the round trip is 9 kilometres; the duration is listed as approximately three hours, and the difficulty as low. This gives you both a specific route and an approximate time frame for planning the hike. The different permitted modes of travel also offer alternatives for getting around the trail.
The traditional olive mill in Benagalbón offers the opportunity to learn about the production process for cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. Check how visits are organised before you go. For the journey, the R-1 municipal bus route connects Centro Comercial with Benagalbón. If you plan to take the route, check the current timetable before travelling.
For the wider travel overview: Rincón De La Victoria.
