Velez lies less than thirty kilometres east of Malaga and five kilometres inland from Torre del Mar. A market town established in the tenth century, Velez is surrounded by very fertile land producing fruits and salads. The old town, with its very steep winding streets, has some fascinating buildings from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries and wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. It is famous for its muscatel raisins and its dessert wines.
A Velez holiday offers a base away from the coast where visitors can enjoy the best of both worlds combining an attractive town with days at the seaside relaxing on soft sand and swimming in warm seas.
Velez is very popular with couples of all ages. Being close to the coast, visitors can combine sightseeing in the town with relaxing days on the beach. Golfers will find a choice of courses.
Although Velez is a year round holiday destination, the summer holiday period is the most popular time to go, with guaranteed sunshine and warm seas. Those who wish to walk or cycle in the hills would find early or late season a better time to visit when the temperature is a little cooler. Velez is also a good place to go to escape from the damp British winter and to enjoy a round of golf without having to brave the harsh elements of home. It is a pleasant destination for a city break.
The economy of Velez, in the past, depended heavily on agriculture but this has changed in recent years and much continues to be done to encourage tourism. The town is very well kept and much restoration work has been completed on its old churches and public buildings. The tower, La Fortaleza, standing high above the town dates from the time of the Moors as do the remnants of the city walls in the old town. Although the tower is not open to the public, the views from the garden beneath it are stunning. The Carmelite Square, Plaza de las Carmelitas, lies in the centre of the town and the Convent of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, dating from the seventeenth century is found there. There are a number of very fine churches including St. Maria la Major which was formerly a mosque, the minarets of which are enclosed in a tower.
Teatro del Carmen is a modern theatre which hosts regular concerts, both classical and traditional, as well as flamenco dancing and other cultural events. Velez also has a number of art galleries.
Velez has a wide range of good accommodation catering for most budgets. Its shopping facilities are excellent with good quality retailers in the town centre as well as an out of town shopping mall, El Ingenio. Velez, in common with most Spanish towns, has a weekly market.
As one would expect in a town of this size, Velez has a large number of tapas bars and small restaurants serving a diverse menu and catering for most tastes.
Velez has an indoor swimming, much appreciated by winter visitors. There are also numerous ball courts and a golf course. The Aqua Velis water park, in nearby Torre del Mar is a popular attraction with adults as well as children.
The nightlife in Velez is surprisingly low-key for a town of its size. Evenings are spent wandering the winding streets of the old town and enjoying food and drink with friends. Those looking for all night entertainment can make the short journey to El Copo on the seafront in Torre del Mar where bars and discos provide dusk until dawn entertainment.
Velez has a good selection of shops providing for your every need. As well as the retailers in the town, there is also shopping mall in Torre del Mar, El Ingenio. There is also a weekly market each Thursday.
Velez has a large number of tapas bars and small restaurants serving a variety of food and catering for most tastes. A good way to try Spanish food is to order a plate of tapas which consists of a medley of bite-sized dishes. Tapas are also ideal for filling the sometimes long gap between lunch and dinner, which is served later in Spain than at home.
Children are always made very welcome in Spanish restaurants and their tastes and portion sizes are usually accommodated.
Spanish wines are pleasant and inexpensive.
