Rute is a small, sleepy, traditional, full service town with less than 10,000 residents that still closes down for the afternoon siesta. Located on the lower banks of the towering Sierra de Rute, an extension of the Subbetica, in the province of Cordoba, it has glorious views of the Iznájar reservoir.
Rute is ninety kilometers north of Malaga, eighty-nine kilometers southeast of Cordoba, and one hundred kilometers west of Granada. It is a bit of a commute to the larger cities, but a number of motorways make the town accessible by car and the local road network is constantly being upgraded and improved.
A Moorish castle and Baroque church are also town highlights. If you feel like wandering a little, there is a monastery for donkeys on the outskirts of town. Sanctuario de Burros does offer tours if you arrange them in advance.
The larger cities of Granada and Malaga both have airports where you can then rent a car.
Anís, an aniseed flavored liqueur, is Rute’s largest industry. Manufactured in the town since the 1800s, Anís is only one of the town’s culinary delights. Cured hams, handmade Turrón (nougat), and succulent marzipan are also important local food products. With olive groves making a patchwork quilt of the surrounding hills the area is also a major producer of olive oil. Many jobs harvesting the olives and pressing them into olive oil are available to locals although these days it is usually gangs of Romanians that do the time consuming harvesting. You can find stores selling these delights on many street corners.
There are plenty of good restaurants in and around the town serving traditional local fare and the worlds universal fast food favoirite; pizza! Alternatively you can always stop in at one of the town’s charming bodegas where fresh Anís is served daily (but don’t try to walk, let alone drive afterwards). In essence, Rute is a food enthusiast’s dream location.
Lucena, the home of furniture making in Andalucia is a regional centre on a par with Antequera but no where near as pretty and is only about twenty kilometers away. It is a full service town with good shopping and a perfect alternative to the excellent local shopping and services of Rute itself.
There are schools in nearby villages, so if you are moving to the area and have children, you will find exactly what they need in the area.
The GR7 (Gran Recorrido) passes through Rute. This trail covers more than 1,200 kilometers of Andalusian countryside. Certain areas are kept free of bushes and saplings, but other areas are a little rougher. Watch for signs that are hidden under shrubs, as they can have you walking in the wrong direction!
