Mairena, a town situated at an altitude of 1082 meters, has a name that is clearly Latin. "Marius" possibly derives from the personal name of a Roman landowner.
Mairena is considered the "Balcony of La Alpujarra," as from the viewpoint of its hermitage, one can enjoy privileged views over the Ugíjar valley, the Cerrajón de Murtas, and the Almerian Sierra de Gádor. It is also one of the whitest and best-maintained villages in the area, with the silhouette of its church standing out in the urban landscape. Nearby is the legendary Peñón de San Marcos, a rock that was traditionally believed to have beneficial powers over the harvests.