Alhama's position between Málaga and Granada gave it strategic importance for the Moors but they also had a particular fondness for the town and its thermal waters and hot springs.

The story of the fall of Alhama and the subsequent slaughter of its inhabitants by the Christian knights is referred to in Tariq Ali's, The Islam Quintet in the first book Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree.

Magnificent horse shoe arcs were built over the remains of Roman construction and are covered by a vaulted roof, pierced by star-shaped openings that let the daylight filter in.

Eleno de Céspedes was born into slavery in the town in 1545 or 1546,[4] and went on to become possibly the first female (if not intersex or transgender) surgeon in Spain, and perhaps in Europe.

Constructed between 1947 and 1954 this reservoir with a hydro-electric plant at one end provides sandy beaches, safe swimming and plenty of non-motorised water sports.

There are more than a few bars in Alhama which serve coffees and "tostadas" in the morning, lunch in the late afternoon, and tapas in the evening.

At lunchtime a number of the bars serve a 'menu del día', a limited choice, but freshly prepared 3 course meal for a very reasonable price, often including a drink and bread.