September on the Costa del Sol: A Guide to Fiestas, Wine, and Art. How to Experience Andalusia with all your senses.

Imagine a day when you escape from the coast and head inland, to a land called Axarquía. It is here, on the steep, sun-scorched hills, that Moscatel grapes have been cultivated for centuries, from which the famous sweet wines and raisins are made. September is the time of the vendimia – the grape harvest.

Your destination is a small, white town, for example, Manilva, where the Fiesta de la Vendimia takes place at the beginning of the month. This is not a commercial event. It is an authentic celebration of the land and the labor of the farmers. You will see a parade of carts filled to the brim with grapes, and if you are lucky, you will take part in la pisa – the public, traditional treading of the grapes, from which the first, sweet juice (mosto) is distributed for tasting.

But that's not all. With a car, you can drive further, looking for ventas – roadside restaurants where fresh mosto is served in September. And in the evening, in one of the villages of the Montes de Málaga, you might come across a spontaneous performance of verdiales – the oldest and most raw form of flamenco, which was born right here, among farmers and shepherds.

Logistics for this journey:

• Route: To get to Manilva from Malaga airport, take the paid AP-7 motorway to avoid traffic. Picturesque, winding roads (like the A-7204) lead to the villages in Axarquía, where every turn reveals a new, breathtaking panorama. 
• Car: For such a trip, a nimble, compact car that will give you confidence on the mountain switchbacks is ideal.

This scenario is a journey through time, from the ancient roots of Andalusia to its artistic present.

Start your day with a quiet tour of Malaga – visit the Picasso Museum, take a stroll through the renovated port of Muelle Uno. But as the sun begins to set, get in your car and drive north to the small spa village of Carratraca. On the second weekend of September, magic happens here.

During the Embrujo Andalusí festival, the entire town turns off its electric lights. The streets are illuminated only by the glow of 25,000 candles. The air is filled with the scent of incense, and from every corner, you can hear mesmerizing Arabic music. A walk through this labyrinth of light and shadow is an almost mystical experience that transports you back to the times of Al-Andalus.

After a few hours in this fairytale setting, you return to the modern, vibrant city of Malaga. The contrast is incredible.

Logistics for this journey:

• Route: A convenient road, the A-357, leads from Malaga to Carratraca. The journey takes less than an hour. 
• Parking: Do not try to drive into Carratraca during the festival! The organizers set up large car parks on the outskirts, from which free shuttle buses run. In Malaga, it's best to leave your car in an underground car park (e.g., at Plaza de la Marina) and explore the city center on foot.

September is also a time to say goodbye to summer, and the Andalusians do it in the best way they know how – loudly, joyfully, and with good food.

Your destination is Rincón de la Victoria, a town just east of Malaga, where at the end of the month, the Día del Boquerón Victoriano – a grand festival of the anchovy – takes place. This is not an elegant culinary festival. It is a huge, open-air, popular feast. On the seaside promenade, thousands of portions of freshly fried anchovies are handed out for free. All around, music plays, and people sing and dance. It is pure, uninhibited joy of life.

Immerse yourself in this atmosphere for a few hours, and then, with a car, you can escape the hustle and bustle. Just a 15-minute drive further east, you can find a quiet, almost empty beach in Maro, where you can watch the sunset in peace.

Logistics for this journey:

• Route: The free and fast A-7 motorway leads to Rincón de la Victoria. 
• Car: Any car from our fleet will suffice for such a trip. Just remember to air it out well on your return – the smell of fried fish is intense!

September is a month for explorers, and we give you the best tool for it. Renting a car in Malaga with YourRent is a promise of complete freedom. With unlimited mileage, you can freely combine these scenarios, creating your own unique story of the Andalusian autumn. Our new, air-conditioned cars will provide you with comfort, and our on-site team will always be happy to advise you on what's truly special happening in the area that week. Your sensual journey along the Costa del Sol awaits.