Area Info

Alhaurin de la Torre

This easy access to the provincial capital is at the root of Alhaurín de la Torre's economic resurrection and cultural decline. It has been seized upon by many who work in Málaga but prefer not to live in the conurbation, and is rapidly expanding as a commuter town. There is little doubt that with the current explosion of building in full swing, it will soon outstrip its neighbour in size and population. We shall then have the ironic situation of Alhaurín el Grande being the smaller of the two.

As yet, the town is still set among large plantations of citrus and avocado, but as it continues to grow, and land becomes increasingly scarce and valuable, it may be that many of them will disappear.

Having said all this, there is nonetheless history to find if the visitor is diligent enough, though this is chiefly in the outlying suburbs such as La Alquería and Cortijo Molina. Perhaps aware that time is their enemy, the town council, the ayuntamiento, has enterprisingly compiled an exhaustive list of archæological sites, the Carta Arqueológica. This includes many sites which had previously been unrecorded, and which are not protected by preservation orders. It is obvious that these are the ones in most danger from the developers' bulldozers.

La Alquería was once a town of sorts in its own right, beginning as a 3rd Century BC Iberian hill fort and flourishing for a while under the Romans before petering out around 200AD. Nevertheless, there are still vestigial remnants of Roman masonry in the area, though many of them are now on private land and out of reach.

The biggest attraction for visitors to Alhaurín de la Torre is undoubtedly the gardens of El Retiro. Founded in the 17th Century by Fray Alonso de Santo Tomás, Bishop of Málaga, and originally use by him as his retirement home (hence, El Retiro) the gardens display an impressive variety of plant and wild life. Each section attempts to recreate the natural habitat of the creatures housed in it, from semi-desert to tropical swamp. The manor house at its centre has also been impressively restored.

A visit to El Retiro is enough to make even the most jaded visitor forget the frantic scramble beyond its walls, and forgive Alhaurín de la Torre most of its more earthly sins.

Alhaurin el Grande

Situated at the foot of the northern slopes of the Mijas mountains, Alhaurín el Grande is  in one of the most picturesque parts of the Guadalhorce area and offers panoramic  views over the valley.

The land  is rich in fruit and vegetable fields as well as olive groves. The municipality has other urban areas apart from Alhaurín itself, the result of its agricultural development, such as Villafranco del Guadalhorce, el Cigarral and la Fuente del Perro. The main river is the Rio Fahala, of which the Jurique and the Torres streams flow. There is also the Pasadas river, which flows from the Barranco Blanco area through beautiful waterfalls and lakes. The original name has led to much discussion in the past, but we do know that Pliny referred to the place as both ‘Andorisae’ and ‘Andorisippo’. On the other hand, Rodríguez Berlanga suggests ‘Iluro’, Guillén Robles claims it was ‘Lauro’, but there is little documentation to support these theories. Archaeological remains from various periods point to human presence of the area from Neolithic, Iberian, Greek, Roman and Visigoth times.

The Moors called it ‘Alhaurín’, and after the re-conquest the ‘El Grande’ was added to distinguish it from its neighbouring Alhaurín de la Torre, meaning ‘The Garden of Allah’, ‘The Hole’ or ‘The Valley’, although recent investigations would suggest also ‘The Free’. Alhaurin el Grande was re-conquered by the Christian forces in May of 1485, when it was incorporated into the Castillian crown. Its Council was established in 1492, and in 1505 the parish church was built. Shortly afterwards the Royal Hospital of Santa Catalina was built, and in 1634, the people of the town purchased jurisdiction and the title ‘villa’ from the crown, which included the Bourbon fleur-de-lis on the coat-of-arms. The history of the town in the 18th century is recorded in the land registry of the Marqués de la Ensenada, whose documents dating from 1751 are conserved in the Municipal Library. During the 19th century this was the place where the richer families of Málaga city had their leisure homes.

Nowadays, the town has developed into a thriving multi-cultural community, mainly due to the fact that, along with Mijas pueblo, it is the one of the first natural points of migration for those who do not wish to live on the coast. The expansion and growth of the INland areas has seen Alhaurín develop into a self-sufficient town full of contrast which has a lot to offer for locals and immigrants alike. It has managed to achieve a balance between rural and town life which will doubtlessly make it an attractive place to settle for many newcomers for many years to come. However, its strong character and sense of tradition will hopefully ensure that it never loses its true identity.

Alora

The small town of Alora is situated 40 kms north of Málaga by the road to Antequera and just 12 km south of El Chorro.

From a distance, it is a typical pueblo blanco; a whitewashed village nestled between three rocky spurs topped by the ruins of a magnificent castle which has an interesting history. Aloras castle was first built by the Phoenicians and subsequently expanded under Roman rule. In the 5th century the castle was virtually destroyed by the Visigoths, only to be rebuilt under the Moors; remnants of this era still remain, namely the decorative steel door and the traditional Arab mirador.

Situated in the heart of some of the most beautiful scenery Andalucía has to offer, Alora is one of many traditional white villages in the area. Close to the stunning El Chorro gorge and ancient spa town of Carratraca, Alora is a perfect base for exploring the area and discovering for yourself why so many people are opting to make it their home.

In between 1587 and 1593 Alora was home to the fabled Cervantes and in 1628 Alora gained independence from Málaga. Alora is said to be the birthplace of Malagueño flamenco.

A visit to the village, which consists of a series of very steep slopes and attractive cobbled streets, is well worthwhile. The whitewashed streets are lined with lemon trees and converge on a square on the lowest level, overlooked by a the impressive seventeenth century church of La Encarnación which was built during the Catholic era of rule on the site of a former mosque.

From the square, climb to the castle on foot, or go by car, to the cemetery from where you can enjoy the splendid panorama of the Guadalhorce river basin. Among the tombs there is a small Gothic chapel. Monday is market day when the village becomes a lively mass of stallholders and shoppers. Aloras economy is based on agriculture, in particular the cultivation of tropical fruits, olives and grape vines.

Arroyo de la Miel

Benahavis

Benahavis, a mountain village 7km from the coast, is situated between Marbella, Estepona and Ronda. Renowned for its restaurants - they call it the dining room of the Costa del Sol - it is above all a picturesque place, where one can find  incredible mountain- and sea-views.
Boasting 9 of the Costa del Sol's 60 golf courses, and that will go up to 15 in the next decade, it is also THE hotspot for golf lovers.
Located on the Southern face of La Serrania de Ronda mountain range, Benahavis is the most mountainous village on the western Costa del Sol. Its terrain is traversed by the Rivers Guadalmina, Guadaiza and Guadalmanza. Regions of great natural and historic interest are to be found within its boundaries, such as El Cerro del Duque, Daidin and the Montemayor Castle.
On top of that, Benahavis is only a stone throw away from the beaches of the Costa del Sol and the spectacular mountains of the Serrania de Ronda.
The Benahavis municipality comprises about 145 km2 and the medium altitude is 150 metres. The climate is  Mediterranean, with a medium temperature of 17º Celsius, and the registered population on 27 February 2007 was 3798 inhabitants.

Benalmadena

The area of Benalmadena is divided into three parts Benalmadena Costa, which is vibrant with a long stretch of sandy beaches, a lovely walkway along the front with an array of restaurants to suit everyone. In the centre is the lovely Paloma park with its lake and fountain and a variety of little animals running around as well as other attractions and a cafe. Then there is the Puerta Marina at the end of Benalmadena Costa and close to Torremolinos housing an array of beautiful yachts and surrounded by sugar crafted turreted apartments, up market shops and restaurants.Opposite the marina is the area of Solymar where all the night life can be found, with a variety of nightclubs and bars. The next part is Arroya del Miel an attractive town where the train station is situated, to get to the town drive up to car park of Tivoli World and the cable car this is where these are situated and then walk along a walkway with some shops and small restaurants (for a cheap and excellent snack call into the Railway cafe) and this will lead you into the town. The third part is Benalmadena Pueblo the old part of Benalmadena a lovely well kept village with plenty of restaurants, little shops and bars.

Torrequebrada is an off shoot of Benalmadena Costa, and is situated within the vicinity of the famous casino and 5 star hotel, the Torrequebrada Golf course where the Spanish open has been played and close to the riding school which is a very pleasant location to book a ride, have a meal or just enjoy a leisurely drink while enjoying the beautiful views. it has it's own beaches, restaurants and the new commercial centres where there are a variety of new restaurants, shops and businesses.

Cabopino

Calahonda

Calahonda is situated in the heart of the Costa del Sol and is one of the most popular destinations for both holiday makers and expatriates. The town is located between the towns of Fuengirola and Marbella, in the province of Malaga. Just a short distance from Calahonda you will find places such as the luxury Puerto Banus where stunning yachts, leisure facilities, restaurants and boutiques are located. Due to the new toll road you will be able to get from and to the Malaga international airport in 20 minutes.

Calahonda enjoys a privileged setting directly on the Mediterranean coast and is blessed with an amazing climate. Hot summers and mild winters combined with a wonderful breeze that keeps you cool during the summer months make the region to a great place to be.

The urbanization stretches from the coast to the gentle hills of Malaga. From here you can enjoy magnificent views of the beaches, the costal towns and even the North of Africa and the “Rock” of Gibraltar. Especially on clear days you will be able to enjoy the most breathtaking views. From the highest point of the town, which is around 300 metres above sea level, you can see the red mountain of Estepona,Puerto Banus and Marbella.

Calahonda is part of the municipality of Mijas. In recent years the property development has grown so much that it is already the size of a small town. It is the largest urbanisation in between Marbella and Fuengirola which is the reason for recent attempts to separate Calahonda from Mijas. Unfortunately the attempts failed which means that residents will have to keep on paying taxes to Mijas.

The urbanisations greatest features are the tranquil lifestyle, the spacious plots, the limited apartment buildings and the numerous green areas. All of this makes Calahonda to a great place to live. It is likely that the growth that took place in recent years will continue but you can be certain that the rustic fashion that is provided here will be maintained.

Calahonda is covering an area of 600.000m2. The majority of this space is dedicated to private plots on which large villas and town houses can be found. Also located in Calahonda are four excellent golf courses which make the urbanisation very attractive to golf lovers. On the remaining area there are restaurants, many types of shops, thee commercial centres, sports facilities and of course apartment buildings and green areas. A total of 45 restaurants, bars and cafes as well as supermarkets and seven banks can also be found.

Only a short way from Calahonda is the well established and recognised Costa del Sol Hospital. For smaller incidents or a simple cold you can go to the chemist or the three medical centres in the urbanisation.


As mentioned earlier, there are four golf courses in the urbanisation. Those who want a greater choice can visit one of the other six courses that are located within 10 km. Also available are water sports and the Cabopino port. Residents can also make use of the tennis courts and a gymnasium.
 

Cancelada

Cartama

Cartama is situated at the foot of two small sierra mountains, Espartales 400m. and Llana 405 m., which together form the Sierra de Cartama. Its territory represents the frontier between the Guadalhorce valley region and La Hoya, in the Montes de Málaga, and favours the contrasting agricultural plain of orange trees and vegetables, on both sides of the Guadalhorce and the hills on the north of the municipality of Málaga.

Two landscapes to the west of the Guadalhorce river, in the bowl of the Grande river, its tributary, blend into terraced plots that grow orange and fruit trees from the irrigated land at the bottom of the valley to the top of the small hills. Cartama adds to the physiognomy of the Sierra de Gibralgalia. It is really a complex system of hills which the Cartama mountains extend to the heart of the Guadalhorce valley, in the municipal regions of Pizarra, Casarabonela and Coin.

If the land is varied, even more so the history of its inhabitants, as this area was occupied by Tartesides and Phoenicians and reached great its zenith with the Romans. It seems that the Phoenicians gave the town its first name, known in the primitive settlement as Cartha, meaning the hidden city. Later the Romans called it Cartima, converting it into a municipality in 195 B.C. and endowing it with substantial defences. During the Roman period, Cartama was one of the main towns in the present province of Málaga and its territory must have been highly populated, judging by the numerous sites and ruins that have been discovered. The Cartima baths were famous for their curative properties.

On the peak of the hill, on which the chapel of the Remedios was erected, there are still ruins of a castle, which the Arabs later rebuilt. This not only consolidated and extended the fort, but converted it into one of the main bastions of the Málaga's defense. In 1485 the castle of Cartama was taken by the Christian soldiers. This event was immortalized by the carvings in the bas-relief of the Choir in the Cathedral of Toledo.

Cartama is one of the most historic municipalities in the Guadalhorce region, and one of the largest, with its population spread over an area of 105 square kilometres in two towns, Cartama Pueblo and Cartama Estación. There are nine other smaller urban areas nearby. Its archaeolgical sites are among the best in the province, with fragments of ceramics, metals, walls, Roman coins and columns. Watching the different settlements over the centuries is the ancient castle fortress of Cartama. When the Phoenicians arrived, at what is now the town, they found a small fortress inhabited by the Iberians, situated on top of the Cerro de la Virgen hill.

Both Moors and Christians lived side by side for some time, establishing a factory in the La Vega and La Sierra area for the production of agricultural products of the region. For their mutual protection, they reconstructed the fortress and named this place Carth-Ma, meaning Hidden Town and Mother. It was seized by the Roman consul Marco Poncio Catón in 195 B.C., once installed in the town, Marco Poncio Catón rebuilt the castle and fortified it, extending the fortress towards the mountainside. The Visigoths carried out later reconstruction work on it, but it was during the Moorish occupation that it achieved the most importance.

The shifting Moorish military and political situation in the area was witness to a crucial economic and social change, and during the Nazari period the castle became vital for the social and political life of the entire region. The aspect that it would have had at that time would have been very similar to the castle in Álora, with very little decoration but strongly built. But the Christians did attack successfully in 1485. The defenders of the castle held out for quite some time but were forced to surrender in that same year and the Moorish period in Cartama came to an end. King Fernando and his officers, conscious of the stratigic military importance of the castle for the conquest of Ronda and Malaga, moved in and began further reconstruction work.

A meeting of the Council of Nobles was held in the building, and from there the conquest of Malaga was planned. After the fall of Granada the castle lay more or less abandoned until the War of Independence, when it was the scene of an attack against the French troops that had taken refuge there following the General Ballesteros siege. The castle today bares the scars of many military actions, fought over the centuries in Cartama.

Cartama Estacion

Cartama is one of the most historically important municipalities in the Guadalhorce region, and one of the biggest, with its population spread over an area of 105 square kilometres in two twin towns: Cártama Pueblo and Cártama Estación.

Both towns and their surrounding areas are now becoming very popular with property purchasers in recent years due to the relatively cheap prices and accessibility to the coast. If you are looking for an inexpensive country home close to the coast (only 15 minutes to Málaga), then this area could be for you.

There is a good rail link from Cártama Estación to Málaga central and airport. The local council are also in the process of building a public hospital and a culture centre that will hold 200 people for concerts. These are planned to be finished by 2008 (note by author no building has started yet (2006) so we might need to hold our breath yet!)

A busy, thriving and rapidly expanding town, shows little sign of tourism, although there are a couple of British pubs and a Paper Shop selling UK papers. However there are quite a lot of expatriates in the area, but it is predominantly Spanish.
There is a large market on Sunday mornings (when some of the other shops are open too), and is a great place to have something to eat in the evening. There are lots of open air tables - the Spanish will spend the whole evening at their table, so lots of tables are required or you'd never get a seat! You can have a huge Brochetta de Pollo (Chicken Brochette) at one place (who also serves chilled Rioja!?) and then go to an heladería for your ice-cream sundae. It's great to just sit and watch the Spanish life in the evening, they love to be out in the evening to see and be seen.
There is also a station here - on the same line as Malaga and Álora.
Our favourite restaurant, El Tintero Campero, about 3-4 km outside Cartama Estación - It's so much fun! Outside, under shade, with huge trestle tables and paper tablecloths with waiters running around the place with plates full of different delicious foods (seafood, barbequed meats, salads etc). You just stop them when you see something you fancy. They actually call out in Spanish and English what it is they are carrying ... but understanding either is practically impossible! Most families put the plates in the middle of the table and everyone can just helps themselves.

Casares

Casares is a picture postcard village with a population of just three thousand and the view from the approach is definitely worth a photo.

To say that Casares is beautiful is an understatement. Most of the white villages are beautiful but there is something very special about the sight of Casares that causes the visitor to park the car and simply stare or take a photo.

There are the sugar cubes again, piled precariously high and just nudging the battlements of an Arab castle. It is hard to believe that this enchanting, typical village is only nine miles from the hustle and bustle of the coast and somehow succeeded in avoiding the coach tour circuit.

It is best to approach the village for the first time when driving from the coast road (N340/A7) by turning inland at Km. 147 (between Estepon and Sabinillas near Torre de la Sal and head inland for 15 km. The scenery is picturesque, so take your time. Suddenly you turn a bend in the road, and are treated to a spectacular view of the village with its medieval fortress.

Luckily there is the Restaurant La Terraza on hand to prepare you for the walk around Casares' hilly streets. Park the Car either here or by one of the other bars a little further on and climb down one of the footpaths that lead into the village. Don't expect rural venta prices.

Head for Plaza de España the main square. The square has improved greatly in the last few years for the point of view of a tourist in that it now has a pavement café which is welcoming. For an even better view try the roof-top terrace.

In the square notice the statue of Blas Infante the Andalucia Nationalist leader who was born  on the  5^th July  1885 and executed by Franco's own rebels at the start of the civil war. His birth house has now been turned into a museum and tourist off which is located in the square in Calle Carrera.

Those wanting a rewarding experience will follow the narrow street adjacent to the Virgin del Rosario chapel. Keep climbing and eventually you will have reached the top of the town of some 1,400 feet above sea level. There is an old fortress here and a derelict church, as well as panoramic views overlooking the rooftops of the village.

Peregrine falcons and kestrels loom in the sky, and on a clear day, you will be able to spy on the African coast with the Rock of Gibraltar looming craggily in the foreground.

There are two entrances into the fortifications, so you can take a circular journey. One is an enclosed passageway while the other resembles some kind of formal gate. The base of the walls is certainly Moorish but everything shoulder height or higher dates from after 1500.

The ruined church, Iglesia de la Encarnación was built in 1505, when Spain had been free from the Moorss for a number of years. It remained in use until 1845, and the building was badly damaged by anarchists during the Civil War of 1936-39. Today it is locked and deserted.

Near the church is the Hermitage of Vera Cruz. The most striking thing for the visitor, excepting its lack of protection, children on mini scooters and washing out to dry, is the large domed alcove which may have been an altar room. Three of it four walls are still standing and there are pitted here and there bullet holes. During the savagery of the civil war when the church was reduced to ruins it was common for factions to dispose of their enemies by hurling them in time honoured fashion into the deep gorge below. Looking across the gorge to the right of Restaurant la Teraza a simple iron cross marks and remembers another civil war hurling site.

Behind the church next to the cemetery there are the interesting signs of an outdoor auditorium. A modern day amphitheatre. Don't hang around as productions are as rare as ice cream shops. There is not much call for it round here. Even the beautifully kept cemetery is no longer used for burials, a more practical (for the pole bearers) alternative has been found. The webmaster knew a large man whose dying wish was to be buried in Casares. He always did have a sense of humour.

Leave Casares on the road which winds around the village past the visitors centre and football pitch. When you get to the T junction you can either turn left for Manilva and the coast, or turn right for the next white village with a story; of Gaucin.

After one and a half kilometres from this junction in the direction of Manilva a small track can be seen. This was once the main route to Jimena and San Martin. Those who have no objection to a bumpy ride can still use it. Over a cattle grid and past a farmstead a plateau guarded by a ruined sections of wall can be seen. Here lye the unguarded remains of the Iberian and Roman town of Lacipo waiting.

Lacipo was founded in the second century BC for the local population. It grew considerably and its economic strength was based on olive oil. The town was a seat of government for the immediate area until it declined in the second century AD. The largest remain structure that can be seen today is a south facing section of town wall standing 30 feet high. Lacipo's ruins don't offer the traveller who can be bothered to climb the hill a great temple or amphitheatres, but a stunning view and a remarkable insight of two types of architecture standing side by side long after the people who knew then, lived and loved and worked in them have vanished into the years. Be wary of the idly grazing cows.

Churriana

Coin

Located in the fertile valley of the Río Grande and overlooked by the Sierra de Alpujata, Coín has an unexpectedly rich and varied history. Even before the time of the Roman Conquest, there is little doubt that a community of some kind existed in the area, although the first recorded name ‘Lacibis’ was given by the Romans. The town of Italica, birthplace of the future emperor Haydn in 76AD was constructed using marble from quarries situated just five kilometres south of Coín, in the Sierra Blanca.

Coín was a thriving market town during this period and the minerals and iron ore being mined and quarried nearby would have passed through until well into the 19th century.

Subsequently, when the Visigoths ruled the Iberian Peninsula, Coín became deserted and fell into decay. It seems that by the time the Moors resettled around 929AD, all evidence of Roman heritage was lost during reconstruction. However, the resettlement restored the former glory of the town and made it once again one of the most thriving towns in the area. The Moors spent their five hundred years of rule in the improvement of cultivation and architecture. Also, their irrigation systems were so successful that some are still preserved to this day. At this time, Coín became an important commercial centre for wines and oils as well as a large variety of fruits and vegetables.

In 1485 the Christian re-conquest saw the pueblo taken by a siege which, according to legend, involved Christopher Columbus. Another prestigious visitor in 1829 was Captain S.E. Cook who took in the sights of Coín, Alhaurín and Cártama and wrote: “These villages are on rising ground above the river and in beauty of situation and cultivation cannot be excelled. They afford a specimen of the whole country when possessed by the Moors, being surrounded by gardens with orange, lemon and palm trees and abounding in all the fine as well as the more common fruits.” Although it remains a village, Coin officially obtained the title of city in 1925 by the then King Alfonso XIII.

Coin is home to number of cultural points of interest. One of the most picturesque is the shrine of Nuestra Señora de Fuensanta. This beautifully preserved chapel stands on top of a hill beside the fairground. Three are also two parish churches; the San Andres and the San Juan. The San Andres is also known as the Caridad and forms part of the hospital of the same name. The San Juan is one of the largest churches in the province and has officially been declared as a national monument.

Coín also houses a productive ceramics factory and a film studio, used most notably as a set for the infamous soap opera ‘Eldorado’ but still active to this day. The local ‘Casa de Cultura’ stages regular concerts and plays as well as exhibitions of the works of excellent local artists.

Recently, the local Department of Culture embarked on a project to decorate some of the town walls with illustrated tiles depicting episodes in its history.

El Chaparral

El Chorro

El Coto

El Faro

El Paraiso

El Rosario

Elviria

Entrerrios

Estepona

Estepona

Costalita: This is a popular and attractive urbanisation right next to the clean, safe, uncrowed beach. It is a popular choice and people return here year after year. It is situated between the towns of San Pedro and Estepona and very nearby to Benavista where there are very good local amenities including a vast range of good restaurants, friendly bars, well stocked supermarkets, banks and sports facilities. The quaint village of Cancelada is just a five minute drive away where you can enjoy a meal in one of the good restaurants. You can reach the popular but unspoilt mountainside village of Benahavis within fifteen minutes and there you can enjoy a stroll around the pretty squares and art and craft shops and take your choice from the many very good restaurants.
Estepona has managed to preserve a peaceful atmosphere. The town centre has many shops, traditional bars and restaurants offering a wide selection of dishes catering to all tastes. You can stroll around the pretty Mediterranean squares radiating with great atmosphere. It has a wide, clean, sandy beach called La Rada, which is constantly being awarded the European Blue Flag and has chiringitos (beach bars) dotted all along it. The pretty tree lined promenade connects the town with the port and has two children's’ play areas. The port was constructed in 1977 and provides a contrast with the old town. The marina has two sections – one is the fishing port with boats unloading their catch on a daily basis providing local restaurants with fresh produce. The other part of the port is leisure and sport orientated, bustling with a fine selection of bars and restaurants. Dolphin and fishing trips can be booked from one of the agents in the port.

Fuengirola

Fuengirola is just twenty minutes from Malaga airport, while the local train station provides easy access to such popular nearby resorts as Torreblanca, Arroyo de la Miel and Torremolinos.

Fuengirola is probably most famous for its five miles of sandy beaches, flanked by high-rise hotels and residential blocks of apartments with magnificent views of the Mediterranean and sweeping coastline. A recent landscaping drive by the local municipality has resulted in a wider promenade and plenty of palm trees, interspersed with colourful flower beds and additional seating. The beaches known as Boliches - Gaviotas and Torreblanca hold a European blue flag.

Fuengirola is particularly popular with Spanish nationals, many of whom own summer apartments here. There are also a considerable percentage of British and other nationalities with the result being an impressively wide variety of entertainment and restaurant choice, ranging from the Andalusian traditional tapas (bar snacks) and shellfish dishes to the British bangers and beans standard, together with Guinness on tap.

The advantage of staying here is that it is a compact seaside resort and town which has an excellent selection of supermarkets and competitively priced shops, as opposed to being restricted to the typical gift shop strip with its imported shells and t-shirts.

Follow the shopping baskets on Tuesdays and you will find yourself at the largest and liveliest street market on the coast. There is also a Saturday boot sale here with the predictably intriguing selection of items on sale.

There is certainly no shortage of things to do for holidaymakers in Fuengirola, ranging from such family fun activities as aqua park, a trip to the zoo and a host of sea sports to a leisurely sight seeing tour on a horse-drawn carriage, or by foot, particularly recommended for Fuengirola's neighbour, Los Boliches which still reflects the ambience of a bygone era with narrow streets, neighbourhood shops and traditional white washed houses which once belonged to the local fishermen.

Annual fiestas here include the feast of the Virgin del Carmen in July when local fisherman carry an effigy of the Virgin out to sea, while the colourful feria takes place in October and is the time when the town really comes to life with flamenco, fino ... (dry sherry) and fun which carries on from dawn to dusk for a week.

Guadalmina

Guaro

Istan

La Cala de Mijas

The area governed by the Town Hall of Mijas takes in three very different neighbourhoods, the village high up in the mountain, a more modern built up area and along a 12 kilometre stretch of little villages by the sea - each area having its own distinct characteristics:

• Mijas Pueblo, (Andalucian White Village)
• Las Lagunas (Modern, commercial area with some local industry)
• Mijas Costa (covering 12 kilometres of villages along the coast)

Mijas Costa is the part of the municipality of Mijas which covers the 12 kilometre stretch of coastline joining (from East to West) El Chaparral, La Cala, El Combo and Calahonda and takes in the two major urbanizations, Riviera del Sol and Sitio de Calahonda. Although just a twenty minute drive from little village of Mijas which is still steeped in the old Andalucian traditions and customs, the residential and beach life of the coast is very much 21st century. The properties available range from small studio apartments for holiday lets to major villa developments with a sea and Mountain View from the private pool. The beach life offers water sports ranging from jet skis, waterskiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, parapenting and more.

The two large urbanizations, Sitio de Calahonda and Riviera del Sol are catchment areas forming large villages in their own right and have all the amenities such as commercial centres, supermarkets, golf course, sports centres, bars and restaurants for every day living. Many British and other foreign residents live here permanently and in summer, it is also very popular with holidaymakers in hotels and rented properties. Due to the great number of English speaking residents and visitors, it is easy to find English medical centres and most people there can speak English. The main A7 motorway divides the sea side from the mountain side, but the outlook is the almost-always blue horizon onto the sparkling Mediterranean.

La Cala de Mijas is the central point of Mijas Costa and although it has grown and been built up, especially over the last decade or so, it still maintains something of its Andalucian village by the sea atmosphere. From being originally a tiny fishing village, its population has increased to 10,000 - many of whom are British. There are schools, a health centre, public library, post office, shops and cultural centre as well as many excellent bars and restaurants.

There is a very popular street market ('el barratillo') every Wendesday and Saturday from around 09:00 - 14:30. The market stalls offer everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to local crafts, clothes, ceramics and pottery, flowers and plants and lots more.

La Cala celebrates its own festivals, such as the annual fair which begins on the 25th July, when the village is all decked out for a week of festivities, when you can sample the traditional sherry, wines and tapas and listen to local music and enjoy the dancing.

Saturday nights in the hot summer months of July and August are magical in La Cala. The promenade becomes a festival of classical music and Flamenco dancing. With the outline of the old 16th Century watchtower of Torre Vieja as a backdrop and moon reflecting down on the expanse of sea, the village celebrates a season of Noches de Luna y Playa (Nights of Moon and Beach).

La Duquesa

Las Chapas

Malaga

The spotlight is expected to shine on Malaga for some years to come since Malaga City Council decided in 2004 to present a bid to the European Union requesting it be given the title of European Culture Capital in the year 2016. This bodes very well for work and improvements to continue over the next decade to achieve this goal.

Sea breezes from the Mediterranean coastline regulates the summer heat to a more comfortable levels than the inland Andalusian towns and the Malaga Mountains form the perfect barrier to protect the city from the colder weather in winter. It can still be very hot in July and August and it can be colder (minimum of around 13 °C) between December and February. Some much needed rainfall is to be expected in the colder months, but it usually does not usually last for long.

As well as homage to the great Picasso, other great historic monuments include the imposing Baroque Cathedral, popularly known as ‘La Manquita’ (One Armed Woman), referring to its rather lopsided appearance due to the missing east bell tower. High on the hill above the city is the Parador (state run hotel) of great historic importance. It was once a Moorish castle and is a wonderful place to either stay the night or have a long lunch enjoying these privileged surroundings with panoramic views over Malaga city and out across the port to sea.

Although there was much destruction in Malaga, especially during the time of the Spanish Civil War, there is still plenty of proof of the Moorish occupation. Today you can visit the Moorish Alcazaba fortress, dating back to 1065, which also now features a very interesting archaeological museum.

There are also many churches in and around the centre, of great architectural and historic interest well worth visiting.

 Malaga centre is not only the perfect place to explore the many historical monuments, atmospheric little streets and squares with delightful café culture, but it is also a wonderful shopping centre. The main street to head for runs perpendicular to the stunning tree lined avenue, the Alameda, and starts at the Plaza Marina, near the port. Calle Marqués de Larios (often simply referred to as ‘Larios’) was made pedestrian in 2002 as part of the overall improvements being made to Malaga centre. The result is a busy chic area with many boutiques, designer shops and classy cafes, all surrounded by beautifully restored buildings. At the top of Larios is the main square, Plaza de la Constitución, which is centre of attention throughout the year when cultural, traditional and religious events are being celebrated. It is especially pretty in December, when a huge Christmas tree and decorations are the focal point. During Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week), Malaga is taken over by incredible religion processions and the square is decked out with tiers of seats for spectators. Notably during this very important week of religious celebration, Antonio Banderas often continues to take part as he has done since he was a young boy.

Also at the main square at the north end of Larios is the entrance to the five star Larios Hotel, whose visitors include big names such as Malaga born Antonio Banderas and wife Melanie Griffiths. There is a very sophisticated cocktail bar on the six floor of the Larios Hotel, from which there are stunning views across to the top of the Cathedral – especially spectacular at night when it is floodlight. As well as cocktails and other drinks, the bar has food and snacks and there is often live music on – a magical venue at any time of year and especially on a balmy summer night.

Off Calle Larios, in the melee of tiny streets and interesting tapas bars, restaurants and even teterias (Moorish tearooms) you will find other interesting shops and also the bustling main fresh food market, Mercado Central de Atarazanas.

There are also several indoor commercial shopping malls, one just behind the landmark building of the huge quality department store, El Corte Ingles. Whereas previously, Malaga centre used to live up to the southern tradition of keeping the siesta time sacred, more and more shops are now open all day. Some of the smaller, family run businesses may still lock up for a long lunch. But the commercial shopping centres, El Corte Ingles and many of the shops in Calle Larios stay open all day, to meet the demand of the resident or tourist who enjoys the freedom of longer shopping hours. During the summer months and leading up to Christmas and Kings Day (January 6 th) many specialist shops, such as El Corte Ingles department store extend their hours to open on certain Sundays.

The urban sprawl around the city is undergoing expansion and development as the population of Malaga grows year on year. Included in the many on-going Municipal projects is the construction of a Metro (underground) system to link up key areas including the large University Campus and the International Congress Centre to the West.

There are many festivals celebrated throughout the year in Malaga, such as the International Jazz Festival (at the beginning of November) and Film Festival (held early in March) and much more. The main theatre and location these and many such events as well as excellent theatre and music is the beautiful Teatro Cervantes (Cervantes Theatre)

In Malaga there is no shortage of places to eat and drink. From top notch, Michelin rated restaurants to the most humble tapas bars, there is everything in between. If you find yourself in a Malaga chiringuito (beach bar) then the traditional ‘espeto’ sardines cooked outside on a skewer is not only delicious, but also an integral part of the healthy Mediterranean diet. There are many other delicious fresh fish dishes to choose from on most menus and generally at a very reasonable price.

A great way to get a good overall impression of Malaga is to hop on the Official Malaga Tour Bus. The whole tour takes under one and a half hours and is well worth it at around 15 euros per adult. The Tour Bus ticket not only allows the enjoyment of taking in all the sights of the city, but it also offers a free voucher for bust transport to the beautiful botanical gardens on the outskirts of Malaga,Jardines de la Concepcion, on the main road to Antequera. There are many beautifully kept gardens in Malaga also worth seeing.

Pablo Ruiz Picasso Málaga International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Spain, with up to a staggering 16 million passengers annually. It serves much of Andalusia and especially the ever popular area all along the Costa del sol.

Manilva

Marbella

Marbella is a prime example of Spain at its best, and is an ideal base for exploring this exciting, multi-faceted country. Marbella is in the Costa del Sol , the most famous tourist destination in Andalucia. The Andaluz region is the birthplace of many of the iconic elements of Spanish culture, including Flamenco, bullfighting and tapas. The ancient culture of the Moors is particularly evident in this area. In Granada you will find the Alhambra palace, the last fortress of the Nasrid Dynasty, and in Cordoba the cathedral is built inside a10th century mosque. Andalucia also boasts modern, sophisticated cities like Seville,  and thriving commercial centres like Las Canadas in Marbella itself.

Marbella is an ideal base for exploring Andalucia, Spain 's largest and most passionate region.  Here his dreams of experiencing traditional culture, ancient architecture, and breath-taking landscapes can be fulfilled. Visit the Alhambra, a 13th century Moorish palace in Granada, or relax in the peaceful Alcazar Gardens in Seville, the region's exciting capital city. In season, go skiing in the Sierra Nevada, or enjoy a summer's day in historic Ronda. Nearby Malaga, is the birthplace of Picasso, now boasts the recently built Picasso Museum. In Tarifa you can even catch a glimpse of the Rif Mountains in Morocco, 14km across the Strait of Gibraltar.

As the jewel of the Costa del Sol, Marbella offers the most glamourous Spanish experience on the Andalucian coast. Marbella Town with its surrounding beach and hillside developments, is a sun-drenched paradise for lovers of golf and gastronomy. Here you can enjoy the finer things in life in an exotic setting of soft, sandy beaches, dramatic mountain ranges, tropical gardens and white-washed villages. Whether you crave tranquility or hedonism, this large and varied area has everything.
Los Monteros and Rio Real are two of the most exclusive addresses on the Coast - Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith are a couple of the more well known super stars who have homes in the area - others like to keep a lower profile but whispering and rumours abound as sightings are made in the celebrity hang outs of Silks on the Beach and La Cabane Beach Club and Restaurant , Los Monteros

The area is a true haven for sports enthusiasts with some of the best courses on the Costa, tennis swimming of course and for the more adventurous, jet skiing and water skiing. After you have worked up a thirst or a huge appetite the choice is second to none. Rio Real Golf Club has a stunning bar where snacks and drinks as served as well as magnificent gourmet restaurant both overlooking the fairway. Non residents are also welcome to use the facilities and restaurant of the 5 Star Incosol Hotel including indoor / outdoor heated pool. And not forgetting the La Cabane, the beach bar and restaurant of Hotel Los Monteros, one Spain's leading hotels.

Mijas

One of the jewels of the Costa del Sol is the beautiful little village of Mijas, which nestles comfortably in the mountainside at 428 meters above sea level; it is a superb choice for either holiday or full time living.

Often grouped with the more famous White Towns (Villa Blanca) further north the once tranquil hill town of Mijas, a winding eight-kilometre climb into the hills above Fuengirola from where it is served by frequent buses, is sited a little too close to the Costa del Sol for its own good, making it an obvious target for bus tours in search of the "typical" Andalucian village. However, despite a host of tacky gift shops and the numbered burro (Donkey) taxis that transport visitors around the main square, the village retains some of its original character, and there are fine views towards the coast. The ancient Plaza de Toros which claims - wrongly - to be Andalucia's only rectangular bullring and is worth a visit and if you feel inclined there are bullfights on Sundays.

Above the square, Carromato de Max a museum of the world's tiniest thinga, including a copy of the Last Supper painted on a grain of rice and some fully clothed fleas! The town also boasts thriving arts and crafts scene, which offers a better class of souvenir than those you can find on the coast.

The village is split into several levels that are connected by narrow roads and wonderful walkways. Plaza de la Paz (Peace Square) keeps up to its name as you sit in one of the street bars and soak up the atmosphere. This plaza is marked by a white statue of a hand and a dove. La Plaza de la Constitucion is in the heart of the village and in the centre of the square is a beautiful fountain from which the birds drink. This fountain was carved by Galiano. The square is surrounded by cafes and shops.

You are confronted with so many opportunities to see the history of this sweet, little village, such as the Santuario de la Virgen de la Pena, carved out of solid rock and a tribute to the patron saint of Mijas. The shrine dates back to 1586 when an image of the Virgin miraculously appeared there. Subsequently an image of the Virgin was found concealed in a recess in the tower where it had been hidden for 500 years.

Perched high on the hillside, above the village is the Shrine of the Calvario, built in 1710. It can be seen for miles, peacefully watching over the village. From here wonderful panoramic views can be had. Access is gained by means of a winding path from the village. The interior of the shrine is only open on Easter Friday but the views are worth the long walk at any time of year.

Mijas Costa

The area governed by the Town Hall of Mijas takes in three very different neighbourhoods, the village high up in the mountain, a more modern built up area and along a 12 kilometre stretch of little villages by the sea - each area having its own distinct characteristics:

• Mijas Pueblo, (Andalucian White Village)
• Las Lagunas (Modern, commercial area with some local industry)
• Mijas Costa (covering 12 kilometres of villages along the coast)

Mijas Costa is the part of the municipality of Mijas which covers the 12 kilometre stretch of coastline joining (from East to West) El Chaparral, La Cala, El Combo and Calahonda and takes in the two major urbanizations, Riviera del Sol and Sitio de Calahonda. Although just a twenty minute drive from little village of Mijas which is still steeped in the old Andalucian traditions and customs, the residential and beach life of the coast is very much 21st century. The properties available range from small studio apartments for holiday lets to major villa developments with a sea and Mountain View from the private pool. The beach life offers water sports ranging from jet skis, waterskiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, parapenting and more.

The two large urbanizations, Sitio de Calahonda and Riviera del Sol are catchment areas forming large villages in their own right and have all the amenities such as commercial centres, supermarkets, golf course, sports centres, bars and restaurants for every day living. Many British and other foreign residents live here permanently and in summer, it is also very popular with holidaymakers in hotels and rented properties. Due to the great number of English speaking residents and visitors, it is easy to find English medical centres and most people there can speak English. The main A7 motorway divides the sea side from the mountain side, but the outlook is the almost-always blue horizon onto the sparkling Mediterranean.

La Cala de Mijas is the central point of Mijas Costa and although it has grown and been built up, especially over the last decade or so, it still maintains something of its Andalucian village by the sea atmosphere. From being originally a tiny fishing village, its population has increased to 10,000 - many of whom are British. There are schools, a health centre, public library, post office, shops and cultural centre as well as many excellent bars and restaurants.

There is a very popular street market ('el barratillo') every Wendesday and Saturday from around 09:00 - 14:30. The market stalls offer everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to local crafts, clothes, ceramics and pottery, flowers and plants and lots more.

La Cala celebrates its own festivals, such as the annual fair which begins on the 25th July, when the village is all decked out for a week of festivities, when you can sample the traditional sherry, wines and tapas and listen to local music and enjoy the dancing.

Saturday nights in the hot summer months of July and August are magical in La Cala. The promenade becomes a festival of classical music and Flamenco dancing. With the outline of the old 16th Century watchtower of Torre Vieja as a backdrop and moon reflecting down on the expanse of sea, the village celebrates a season of Noches de Luna y Playa (Nights of Moon and Beach).

Monda

In 45BC, the Roman civil war, which had been raging between the forces of Pompei and those of Julius Caesar, was brought to an end in Caesar's favour at the Battle of Munda. The site of the Roman Spanish town of Munda is open to some doubt, but there are those, not least the inhabitants of Monda itself, who look at the similarity of names and declare that Munda and Monda are one and the same.

It is highly unlikely, but Monda likes the story and clings tenaciously to it.

It is a tiny town with a population of less than two thousand, beyond Ojén along the C-337 road, crouching in a mountain valley at a height of 1200ft. A few years ago it was a much-favoured drop-out spot for hippies without the inclination or energy to reach Marrakech or India. These have now largely disappeared and left Monda to its own devices, perhaps because the recently built road linking it to Marbella, and the rapidly developing suburbs have made it too accessible and bourgeois.

Its dominant feature, which the approaching visitor can hardly miss, is the castle which stands above it. Architecturally the castle – actually an hotel - is an acquired taste which many may not wish to acquire, but inside it is sumptuously decorated in Moorish style and offers superb accommodation and cuisine.

It has a long history. The site was originally occupied by an Ibero-Roman fortified enclosure established in the 3rd-1st Centuries BC by the Romans for use by the indigenous Iberian population and to protect the road to the more important town of Coín. When the Romans left it fell into decline and remained neglected until the Moors came along and used the spot to build a fortress.

Monda fell to the Christian re conquerors in 1485, but the fortress remained more or less intact until 1570 when, after an abortive Arab uprising, it was demolished. The Christians did not consider Monda important enough to warrant a new castle of their own, and the ruins were left to rot.

They were ignored for over 400 years until, in the mid-1970s, a German aristocrat bought what little was left and began an ambitious re-building project. Eventually he tired of what he considered endless Spanish bureaucracy and sold out to a group of determined English entrepreneurs who completed the work and opened the place as a luxury hotel.

Monda may seem an odd place to establish such a grand venture, but its new accessibility to the coast makes it an ideal spot for a romantic weekend or for visiting businessmen who prefer to stay in a place less brash and bustling than Marbella.

Without its castle hotel and its dreams of past glory, Monda would be a town without an identity, so we should not begrudge it either. The hotel bar will no doubt buzz with tales of the battle of Munda for centuries more.

Nerja

Nerja is on the seashore some 50 kilometres from Málaga on the N340 coastal highway, and marks the eastern tip of Málaga's Costa del Sol. Once a sleepy fishing village, the town now has a population of over 12,000.

Nerja boasts some 16 kilometres of beaches with powdery sand and sparkling clear water. All major water sports are available here, including water skiing, scuba diving and sailing.

Flanked by a dramatic mountain range, Sierra Almijara, to the east, the town has, fortunately, managed to avoid being blighted by the concrete high-rise scenario which has been the inevitable result of the tourist boom in some of the coastal resorts. The old quarter of the town is still virtually unchanged with narrow, winding streets, whitewashed houses with wrought iron terraces overflowing with geraniums, on which a canary can sometimes be heard singing...

However, the heart of Nerja is its spectacular Balcón de Europa, the "Balcony of Europe", a magnificent promenade along the edge of a towering cliff, once the site of the great Moorish castle, with sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the small coves and beaches below, against an awesome backdrop of hazy blue mountains.

There are plenty of restaurants and cafes here to choose from, and the visitor can hire a horse-drawn carriage to explore the most romantic corner of the town.
The town's monuments include the 17th century Church of El Salvador, in a style which is a charming mixture of baroque and Moorish, or mudéjar, and the beautiful Gardens of Capistrano Playa, which descend to Burriana Beach.

However, Nerja's most spectacular attraction is undoubtedly its fascinating caves, located just three kilometres from the centre of town. They include archaeological treasures such as paintings over 20,000 years old and other pre-historic remains. One of the enormous natural caverns has been transformed into a concert hall, where many performances are staged during the summer. This year Nerja is celebrating the 38th International Cave Festival, with the participation of many top international entertainers.

Nerja cuisine includes several specialities including De La Doncella (red mullet) and pescaito frito (fried fish) and ranging from top international cuisine to the ubiquitous sausage, eggs and chips!

Nerja is 50 km from Malaga.  It is connected to the western end of the Costa del Sol by a dual carriage motorway. The journey from Marbella takes about an hour, while travelling from Málaga takes around half an hour.

Nueva Andalucia

Ojen

Ojén has roughly the same population as Benahavis - 2000 - but it has not attracted the attention of wealthy expatriates as the latter village has done and, like Istán, has somehow conspired to remain relatively unspoiled in spite of its accessibility and the madcap whirl around it.

Its name is derived from an Arabic word, hoxán, meaning "rough" or "bitter" place. It seems a curious description to give to such a tranquil and beautiful spot, and even more curious that the Moors should establish a settlement in a place they presumably did not care for. But they did, and in common with other inland villages such as Istán, it was allowed to survive the Christians' embargo on Moors living too close to the sea after the reconquest.

It is situated beside the Almadán stream above the valley of the Rio Real at an altitude of 650ft, hemmed in by the sierras Blanca and Alpujata. In that, we may have a clue to the Moors' determination to stay in spite of their apparent antipathy, for both ranges of mountains have long been known as rich sources of talc, nickel, iron and lead. This mineral wealth put the area in the forefront of the Spanish industrial revolution of the 19th Century.

Today Ojén is a curiously schizophrenic town, neatly cut in half by a modern highway. On one side of the road, the newer, more affluent half rises into the hills around the stunted, almost invisible vestigial remains of the Moorish castle which in its heyday dominated the skyline. The village survived the reconquest, but the castle predictably did not. The few stones that are left are now scattered among weeds and rough grass, home only to insects and beetles, and scarcely worth the climb to see.

Of more interest to the visitor is the old part of town which spreads down the mountainside on the other side of the road. Here the cobbled streets are narrow and well served by welcome drinking fountains. But Ojén used to be famous for something a little stronger than water. The production of the anise liqueur, aguardiente, which many Spaniards take each day with their morning coffee, once played a major part in the town's economy.

Close by, in the Serrania de Ronda, is the Refugio de Juanar. Originally the private hunting lodge of the wealthy Larios family, and a favoured retreat of King Alfonso XIII, this is now a hotel popular with tourists and hunters. For the Serrania is still very much a hunting reserve where ibex, wildcats and eagles abound. It is also a favourite with ramblers and hikers who come to relish the pure mountain air and the stunning views of Marbella and the coast 3000 feet below.

Ojén is not the most beautiful of the mountain villages, nor the most historic, but it is peaceful and pleasant and well worth a visit. A far cry from the harsh and bitter place its Arab founders described.

Pizarra

Puerto Banus

Puerto Banus is one of the most popular places in Spain! Puerto Banus is located just west of Marbella, before the small town of San Pedro de Alcantara. Puerto Banus, Marbella and the whole of the Costa del Sol welcomes millions of tourists each year in search of something unique - an exceptional golfing holiday, or perhaps just enjoying the entertainment in the Costa del Sol – all making the Costa del Sol and Puerto Banus so irresistible. At night Puerto Banús comes alive! If you've got an eye for choosing wonderful holiday destinations, take a good look at Puerto Banus, the Marina of Marbella. It's a great place to spend your holidays!!


Neighbouring Puerto Banus and as one of the Costa del Sol’s largest and most exclusive new areas, Nueva Andalucía is well designed with carefully maintained streets and luxury homes. Home to Golf Valley, it sits at the foot of the Sierra Blanca mountains and is only minutes from excellent beaches, Marbella and Puerto Banús. Nueva Andalucía is also fast becoming known for its international cuisine, which ranges from down-home American deli style to serious cordon bleu

Rincon de la Victoria

Rincon de la Victoria is sometimes described by local residents as a "dormitory town". Situated just 12km east of Malaga, it makes a convenient base for those who work in the city but prefer sea breezes and beaches, and the relative tranquillity of an overgrown fishing village. It is also a popular place for the Spanish to "veranear" (spend the summer months) and many families have their second home here. The municipality of Rincon includes the neighbouring fishing village of La Cala and the pretty inland village of Benagalbon.

Rapid expansion in the last five years or so, however, with apartment blocks springing up literally overnight, has meant that services are overstretched in July and August. The winter population of 26, 600 inhabitants almost triples during this period. Those of us who live here breathe a sigh of relief when the vacationers go back to the city and leave us the best month of the year, September, all to ourselves.

The rest of the year, the town retains a laid-back atmosphere, yet offers the tourist or resident an ever-wider choice of places to dine-out, tapear (drink and tapa-bar crawl) and dance the night away.  Sadly the "cine de verano" (open-air summer cinema) is no longer a part of the evening entertainment but enthusiasts of this wonderful institution can go to Cine Las Palmeras in the neighbouring village of La Cala. For the latest in air-conditioned, high-tech, super-sound, ergonomic-seated cinemas, the Rincón Centro Comercial (opened 2002) offers twenty screens.

Rincon de la Victoria's greatest asset is its lively urban sea front and beach. From the western most cliff top, marked by a Moorish watch-tower, the view sweeps down the length of the sandy beach, past the clutter of blue and white fishing boats, chiringuitos (fish restaurants on the beach), palm trees, the occasional cluster of thatched sunshades, and the endless to-ing and fro-ing of cyclists and joggers.

The sea front itself, recently rebuilt and improved, stretches from one end of the town to the other. Two popular walks with Rinconites are along the sea front to La Cala, and to the shrine of the town's patron, the Virgin del Carmen, embedded in the rock at the westernmost tip of the beach.

The route to La Cala cuts through the cliff-side, going through three rock-hewn tunnels. Once dark, dank, malodorous and full of holes and puddles, the tunnels have recently been done-up and lit-up to allow walkers and cyclists easy access. After the first tunnel, you can climb up the steps and follow the outcrop round for the scenic route, or carry on straight through until you come out at La Cala.

Apart from sea, sun, sand and succulent seafood, Rincón does have one or two sights worth seeing. The Casa Fuerte (fort) set in one of the town's few green spaces doubles as an art gallery and occasional concert chamber. Dating back to the reign of Carlos III, the fortress was built in 1733 as part of the coastal defence against English pirate attacks.

Most visitors to the town take a trip to the famous Treasure Cave, La Cueva del Tesoro located just outside the town in the residential area of El Cantal.

Sadly, what should be Rincon de la Victoria's greatest touristic and historic focal point, the ruins of the Moorish medina town of Bezmiliana, has been jeopardised by uncontrolled construction work and nothing short of local government-approved vandalism. Citizens' protest groups are currently fighting to halt building work on El Cerro de Castillón, the town's largest remaining green area and site of the ancient town's major fortress.

Like every other village and town in Andalucia, Rincón has its fair share of fiestas and festivals. The feria takes place in July and last for five days, coming to an end on the 16th, the day of the Virgen del Carmen. A folkloric spectacle of flower-decked thrones and boats, sailors and fishermen, cheering and veneration, rocket flares and fireworks, this is a festival not to be missed.

Riviera del Sol

Ronda

San Pedro de Alcantara

San Pedro de Alcántara is in an ideal situation, just 10 kilometres west from all the glitz and glamour of Marbella, yet just a few minutes drive away from the natural beauty of the Sierra de Ronda mountain range and 20 km from the town of Estepona. An ancient farming community, once famous for sugar cane, today San Pedro is a refreshingly unspoilt pueblo with an appeal all of its own.

Be sure to head for the central plaza here with its gracious parish church and surrounding narrow streets which are packed with intriguing small shops, sidewalk cafes and bars. Thursday is street market day with all the associated hustle and bustle; a veritable bargain shopper's paradise.

A pleasant walk is from the centre of town to the beachfront along the Avenida del Marques del Duero which is a particularly attractive wide avenue flanked by palm trees. And the modern wide promenade is ideal for continuing your stroll (or skateboarding!) with several excellent chiringuitos (beachside restaurants) specialising in fish dishes. Visit Bora Bora if only for a drink at the bar. It is one of the best beach clubs on the coast, with a superb restaurant and all the usual beach facilities, a tropical paradise.

San Pedro also has the last summer fair ( feria ) in Andalucia being in the second week in October.

History buffs will enjoy the Paleochristian Balisilica Church by the sea and the third century Roman Baths, Las Bovedas. Check at the local tourist office for timings.

The Paleochristian Balisilica Church and Necropolis is located in the woods next to the Bora Bora Beach Club that is on the sea front directly in front of the town. A little further west along the beach to Guadalmina is located the restored remains of the Roman Baths. If driving leave San Pedro westward towards Estepona. Stop at the tourist office in the Arch for the keys. After passing under the Marbella Arch, turn right and double back under the road tunnel.

Head down to the sea and the Roman baths are next to the Guadlamina Beach Club.

San Roque

Sotogrande

Sotogrande's marina is worth a visit to sit and chill out with a beer or coffee and spot the yacht because this is the place to see and be seen! August is Polo season and to spot the famous and infamous .....

Beautiful sandy beaches at Alacdesia, Sotogrande and Tarifa are within short drives of the resort.

San Roque hosts the Spanish Open and nearby Valderrama is the home of the annual Volvo Masters and has also been the venue of the Ryder Cup in recent years. Golf courses abound along the Costa del Sol so where to begin?

On the resort the equestrian centre is within a short walk of the apartment and where rides can be arranged. Also tennis courts, swimming pools, restaurants, bars, beauty salons, golf shop and banks are conveniently close.

On the other hand really get away from it all and go inland to visit the Andalucian mountain ranges with the spectacular white hilltop villages of Casares and Gauchin. Historic towns such as Jerez, Seville, Granada and Cadiz are easily accessible by road as a day's trip out. Gibraltar is within 20 minutes drive and mustn't be missed.. Ferry trips to Tangiers are only 40 minutes from Tarifa.

Tolox

Torre del Mar

Torremolinos

Torremolinos has thankfully long outgrown its Monty Python spam and chips image and, over recent years, has evolved as an attractive and appealing resort noted for its clean sandy beaches, wide choice of hotels and restaurants and unparalleled variety of entertainment, activities and nightlife available.

Torremolinos is located 7km west of Málaga airport and was the first Costa del Sol resort to be developed back in the early sixties when it was little more than a sleepy village, still today the town reflects its heritage with several of the original fresh fish bars located right in the shopping centre, incongruously flanked by exclusive boutiques and gift shops. In general, however, the wave of tourists who descended on the town in the fifties and sixties changed the face of Torremolinos for ever.

Over the years, Torremolinos has evolved as an attractive and appealing resort, noted for its clean sandy beaches, wide choice of hotels and restaurants and unparalleled variety of entertainment, activities and nightlife available. At the height of summer, the resort has a great appeal for the younger set, with a reputation for its hectic nightlife. Out of season, however, it takes on a different character. Now practically a suburb of Málaga, the atmosphere is much more Spanish, especially at weekends, with an air of friendliness and welcome.

Packed with tantalising shops, thronging with people of every nationality and located right at the heart of the town is the pedestrian only Calle San Miguel, the main artery of the town. This smartly paved pedestrianised street is lined with boutiques and shops with a great variety of goods on offer, attracting a constant flow of people. The Cuesta del Tajo, at the end of San Miguel, leads down a steep flight of steps through the old fishing district of El Bajondillo. This is a popular, picturesque area lined with restaurants and market-style kiosks, selling souvenirs. Down at the bottom is the beach of El Bajondillo.

The beach area shows another side of Torremolinos. With massive hotels, apartment blocks, bars and restaurants, this area is packed during the summer. To the left, the Playa de Bajondillo gives way to the beaches of Playamar and Los Alamos. To the right, beyond the Castillo de Santa Clara, lie the beach areas of La Carihuela and Montemar.

The seafront promenade, Paseo Maritimo, extends east to Playamar and west to La Carihuela, now continuing as far as Benalmádena Marina. The walk to La Carihuela offers pleasant sea views and some dramatic rock formations, before entering the old fishing village of La Carihuela which is a delightful area of picturesque simple houses and bougainvillea clad patios where old men play dominoes and drink anis. Many of the original cottages still exist and not all have been turned into bars or shops. Some have stood still in time. Wander around the area early one morning before the tourists wake up and see a different world. This is the area also known for its excellent seafood restaurants and chiringuitos (beach bars).

The area of El Calvario is less known to the average tourist. Located to the north of the main road which cuts through Torremolinos, it offers a quieter area of small streets of bars, with an appeal to those who prefer to be away from the bustle of the centre.

While some may feel that Torremolinos has an abundance of concrete highrises, this is offset by the recent emergence of numerous public gardens. More than one thousand species of trees have been planted in the town, ranging from the exotic magnolia and banana tree to vibrantly colourful beds of roses and azaleas. On the outskirts of town, there are three forests with freshwater springs and barbecue facilities and highly recommended for those seeking a little reprieve from the bucket and spade scenario on the coast. At the same time, if it's family fun you want, Torremolinos is hard to beat with seasonal seasports including windsurfing, paragliding, water skiing and pedal boats.

If this sounds all just too energetic however, then of course there is the sunlounger alternative or plenty of places where you can while away the hours sitting in picturesque surroundings, sipping a glass of sangria and simply watching the world go by.

Torrenueva

Torrox