Rute

Anís, an anise 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 food products. Olive groves also are prominent in the area. Many jobs harvesting the olives and pressing them into olive oil are available to locals. You can find stores selling these delights on many street corners. Four area restaurants offer both local fare and pizzas, and you can always stop in at one of the town’s charming bodegas where fresh Anís is served daily. In essence, Rute is a food enthusiast’s dream location.

As one of Andalusia’s famed whitewash towns, Rute is located on the lower banks of the towering Sierra de Rute in the province of Cordoba. It has glorious views of the Iznájar reservoir, which sits below the town. 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. The larger cities of Granada and Malaga both have airports where you can then rent a car. Lucena is approximately twenty kilometers away. In Lucena, you can find reliable medical care, banks, and larger stores.

Rute is a small town with less than 10,000 residents in both the town centre and the outskirts of town. Rute is a sleepy little town that still holds firm in the tradition of closing down all businesses for three hours in the middle of the afternoon. A relaxing, family oriented atmosphere is important to the residents of Rute. 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. 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.

Rute has a number of fantastic boutiques, grocers, bodegas, bars, restaurants, bakeries, and butchers. Plus the warm climate ensures that most crops thrive, so finding produce is not a hardship. All of the essentials can be found within in the town centre. With so much to offer, Rute is an excellent location for those wanting a quiet, yet exciting, lifestyle.