Guide to Andalucía - The Area

Antequera

The first sighting of Antequera in the distance is that of a typical medieval town with the spires of her many churches and the walls and towers of the great Moorish fortress silhouetted against the sky.  Spread out in the valley below lie rich farmlands irrigated by the Guadalhorce River.  For centuries this has been one of Andalucia's most fertile areas and is currently a leading producer of asparagus, cereals and olives.  In summer, its fields turn brilliant yellow with sunflowers.

Archidona

Archidona stands at the foot of the Pico del Conjuro Mountain amidst olive groves and meadows, on the way that links Antequera with Granada.  It boasts a myriad of places and elements of natural and urban interest.  The town's long and eventful history, coupled with the desire of its inhabitants to preserve the artistic heritage born of the key role played by the village down the years, has resulted in Archidona being declared a Village of Historical and Artistic importance.

Axarquia

The land of the Axarquia is like a small Málaga:  mountains, valleys and coast.  In the mountains it is a labyrinth of olives, almonds and vines. In the valley of the Axarquia there are meadows of fruit groves and vegetables which go deeper into the river Vélez with lemon and orange trees.  On the coast the Axarquia is a landscape of cliffs and coves of watchtowers, beaches and vegetable gardens of tradition and tourism.

Benalmadena

Benalmadena is an enigma.  There are certainly strong English influences with a lot of English bars on the Costa and a growing number on Arroya de la Miel.  However, at its heart it is still, very much a Spanish resort with fun.  Built very much for the holiday maker, it offers so many varied options with so much to do.  The resort itself has a variety of attractions, from the pueblo in the mountains, the Cable Car ride through to fantastic beaches.  Parque Paloma is a pleasure in itself and its free !!  The Selwo Marina Park and Sealife Centre will occupy kids for hours.  The Puerto Marina is one of the finest in Europe.  Its shops, restaurants, bars and walks around the boats are an education in themselves.

Calahonda

Calahonda is a growing holiday resort just down the road from Marbella. Like all tourist areas, it’s well serviced for holidaymakers and offers a superb beach. As a fairly new development, Calahonda has a modern feel to it.

There is a unique electric ornamental buggy train, leaving every hour that can take you around the locality, and to parades of restaurants, shops and towards the beach, therefore avoiding taking the car. The fantastic Marina of Cabopino is minutes away offering many restaurants, beach bars, entertainment, dolphin trips, boat excursions and hire. Statistically most visitors to this area are English, so speaking fluent Spanish isn’t a problem. Even in the bars and restaurants, English is spoken and you’ll discover a range of food can be ordered, there’s even Indian restaurants

Estepona

Estepona is one of the few coastal towns that has succeeded in maintaining its pueblo charm and character, despite the onslaught of tourism, unlike Puerto Banus.  The tourist facilities are also here, including hotels, restaurants, you'll also find unusual shops and bodegas.  Steeped in history and culture the town remains unspoiled.

Frigiliana

The village is a tangle of narrow cobbled streets lines by whitewashed houses, their wrought-iron balconies filled with planters of brilliant red geraniums.  Small plazas provide shady seating while the village bars are popular with visitors who come here to taste the locally produced wine. There are also several excellent shops selling pottery and ceramics, including decorative plates with their distinctive Arab design.

Fuengirola

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, neighbouring shops and traditional white washed houses which once belonged to the local fishermen.  Fuengirola is probably most famous for its five miles of sandy beaches with magnificent views of the Mediterranean and sweeping coastline.

Malaga

The city of Malaga has a special charm which makes it a must on any visitor's itinerary.  Culture, traditions, gastronomy, an enviable climate and the relaxed, hospitable nature of its people serve to consolidate the image of "Paradise City", the name used by Spanish poet and Nobel literature prize winner Vicente Aleixandre in reference to the city.  Visitors to the city should take the time to stroll around the centre and soak up the atmosphere of this ancient Mediterranean port.  The focus of the city's commercial activity is Calle Larios from which a maze of narrow streets fan out and where old fashioned shops alternate with modern bars and charming squares appear at the turn of a corner.

Marbella & Puerto Banus

Marbella is one of the original Costa del Sol resorts, made famous by becoming Europe's playground for the rich and famous.  Marbella has a distinctly cosmopolitan feel to it, more so than the other main towns on the coast.  Local celebrities include Sean Connery, Melanie Griffiths and Antonio Banderas (who originally came from Malaga).  Its not surprising then that it is often compared with the likes of Monaco and Portofino.  In the narrow, winding pedestrian streets and squares of old town Marbella, hanging, eating tapas and exploring the small art galleries and boutiques are the primary activities.

At the Western end of that spread is Puerto Banus, Marbella's own playground for the rich and famous, with it’s modern day marina packed with large yachts and motorboats, while back in the town centre you can find world-class shopping and entertainment together with all the attractions that a top holiday resort could possibly provide.  The Avenida del Mar is the town’s principal seafront promenade, with countless bars and restaurants serving only the best quality food and drink. Or if you prefer, local traditional seafood dishes such as barbecued sardines on a spit or paella can be enjoyed at the nearby beach huts, or chiringuitos – well worth a visit.

Mijas & Mijas Costa

Mijas - One of the finest examples of the "white villages", it still has much of its charm with its little whitewashed houses perched on the hillside.  The Village has still managed to retain some of its quaint traditions, one of the most unusual being the donkey-taxis which line the central plaza.  Mijas is a typical Andaluz village, high above Fuengirola and Mijas Costa with spectacular views of the coast and surrounding heavily wooded mountains. 
 
Mijas Costa - Just as Mijas village is serenity, tradition and culture, so Mijas Costa equals that magic combination of sun, sand and water sports. The beaches at La Cala have been awarded the "Blue Flag" as among the best in the province and are geared to provide action: jet skis, water skiing and Para sending are all on the go.

Nerja

Once a small fishing village Nerja is now the biggest resort to the east of Malaga, it has managed to avoid the worst effects of unrestrained expansion and high rise hotels.  There are still plenty of bars and nightclubs for those wanting to party the night away; however the old centre of the town has restrained some of its original charm.  The Balcón de Europa is a cliff that juts out to sea and is enclosed by two sheltered beaches; it is a
favourite spot of many visitors with a beautiful view of the Mediterranean. Nerja is probably most famous for its caves which lie inland.  The caves are protected and have been well preserved with many parts still closed to the public including areas with prehistoric paintings of animals & human figures.

Ronda

Ronda is one of Andalucia's loveliest towns, steeped in history.  It stands on a towering plateau in the mountains of Malaga Province and is famous through Spain for the plunging river gorge which divides the medieval from the 18th century parts of the town.  This gorge is known as "El Tajo" - The Cliff and is spanned by a stone bridge, which once housed a prison. Visitors love to peer down into the gorge, to see the waters of the River Guadalevin.  Ronda is also famous for its bullring, the oldest and the most beautiful one in Spain.  The arena itself is also the country's largest and when there are no fights, the bullring is open to visitors and has a fascinating museum with many mementos of Spain's most renowned bullfighters.

Rincon de la Victoria

The land of Rincon de la Victoria is typical of the area with olives, almonds, carob trees and vines which extend over most of the territory.  On the coast, which only a few decades ago was a small fishing village, it has grown spectacularly filling the area with constructions; begin to ascend the hills in terraces, bringing the greenery of the subtropical crops to the landscape.  During the Roman rule there was a small fort in the area to combat the pirate incursions and according to the historian Plinio, was a temple dedicated to the moon.

Torremolinos

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 Malaga, the atmosphere is much more Spanish, especially at weekends, with a air of friendliness and welcome.  Packed with tantalising shops and 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.

Torrox

Torrox is not called the town with the best climate in Europe for no reason. Torrox a fantastic town of contrasts

Most days the sun will shine in a crisp blue sky in a town where there is no frost throughout the year. In one direction can be seen the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, and the other the fantastic mountain range, which is tipped in snow during the winter months. The town centre of Torrox is especially steeped in Moorish history, and the best way to experience this wonderful architecture is by following the designated Almanzor walk. Near the main plaza can be found a small tourist office that contains many informational leaflets and advice on interesting places to visit during your stay. The central plaza de la Constitucion is a wonderful place to experience authentic Spanish tapas served in local bars and restaurants. Torrox pueblo is merely a 5 minute drive from the Costa and well worth the time to visit.