Close to the Peña is the Church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios. Ntra. Sra. de los Remedios was built in the 14th Century, and updated in the 18th Century. It is of Mudéjar design, with a Baroque portal. The tower is slender, with a square groundplan, and has a pyramid shaped spire.

The lower part of Ardales contains the Plaza de San Isidro, which is the site of the town hall, and close to the 18th Century Monastery of Los Capuchinos with it’s attractive altar pieces and choir stalls.

Human settlement in Ardales goes back pre-history, and Paleolithic works have been discovered in the Cave of Ardales (Cueva de Ardales – see on). Ardales has seen Roman settlement, and later Moorish. Due to it’s frontier position between the reigns of Castile and Granada, the town took on a militarily strategic importance during the last stages of the Moorish period.

Ardales has a population of around 4000. The principle industry is livestock and agricultural farming, but the tourist industry is becoming increasingly important, due to the town character, and proximity to it’s lakes and El Chorro. It is also easily reachable by car, and a pleasant drive, from Antequera.

There are several bars and restaurants in various areas of the town. Plentiful local shopping, and two banks can also be found.

Locally prepared gastronomy includes the galleta de almendra (almond biscuits) and ‘torta de aceita’ (olive oil cake). Other typical dishes on menus include caldereta de cordero (lamb stew) and chivo (small goat) a la pastoril.