Corumbela, seen from the drive up the Sayalonga valley, is one of the most picturesque villages in the region, perching delicately on a spur of the western slopes about 600 metres above sea level with spectacular views of the towering Sierra Tejeda to the North, the valley itself and the Mediterranean to the south. Though seemingly inaccessible it is easily reached from Torre del Mar (a popular seaside resort on the coast) via Velez Málaga, the administrative capital of the Axarquia region, and the small towns of Arenas and Daimalos. Daily bus services are available.

The origin of the village is uncertain, but it is believed that the Romans named it “the pigeon”, probably because the village appears to soar above the valley. In 1493, after the downfall of the “Nazari Kingdom” of the moors, the Catholic Monarchs gave the village to one Diego Fernandez of Cordoba as payment for services during the final years of the re-conquest. The village later passed into the ownership of the Medinaceli family, until the Parliament of Cadiz prohibited such family ownerships in 1811. Finally Corumbela became part of the municipality of Sayalonga and remains so to today.

The village church recalls the town’s history with its Mudejar style minaret most outstanding and interesting monument in Corumbela is the church with its Mudejar style minaret.