costa del sol information

ALGARROBO

Algarrobo is a pretty little pueblo 3 kilometres inland on a hillside that leads to the shrine of San Sebastian. There is a beautiful park where all the locals meet and also a municipal swimming pool. It is known for its archaeological sites from tombs that date from the 7th century B.C. and for its Moorish influences. The shrine of San Sebastian and the Santa Ana church are worth a visit but you must try the cakes from this town known as Torta de Algarrobo.
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ARENAS

Arenas is one of the Axarquía regions genuine working rural white villages. It is ten kilometres from Velez Malaga and twelve kilometres from the coastal resort of Torre Del Mar. Arenas is still a village where agriculture is the main basis of the local economy, where everyone knows everyone else, and where residents always find the time to stop and chat to a stranger. This is despite the fact there is a growing interest in rural properties in the area among the foreign market, particularly the British, Germans and Dutch.
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BENAJARAFE

Located between Rincón de la Victoria and Torre del Mar, Benajarafe is effectively divided into two separate parts: Benajarafe Alto and Benajarafe Costa. Benajarafe Alto is largely made up of traditional rural properties scattered in the hills overlooking the coast and reached by a narrow road leading up from the highway. Once a largely agricultural area rural tourism and horse riding now make an important contribution to the local economy. By contrast to Benajarafe Alto, Benajarafe Costa, which once survived from fishing, is today a bustling little seaside resort and a number of new developments have been constructed in recent years. The wide, sandy beach stretching for more than two kilometres is obviously the main attraction, and attracts plenty of visitors in the summer as well as a sizeable foreign resident community. Beach facilities include showers, rubbish bins, foot washers, walkways and two children’s play areas. There is still some commercial fishing from the area, mainly for sardines, anchovies and mackerel, as well as sports fishing. A reminder of the past is the railway station, between the 1920s and 1960s there was a rail service running along the coast from Málaga to Zafarraya.
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BENAMARGOSA

Benamargosa is a delightful little village lying in a valley 14 kilometres inland on the Sun and Avocado route. It is surrounded with citrus groves, vineyards, and olive, avocado, mango and apple trees. This is a very fertile area of the Axarquia and is Andalucía at its fertile best, thanks to the sub-tropical climate and the plentiful water feeding into the village from the Río Benamargosa and the Carvajal and Cútar streams. It is a maze of twisty, steep streets of the whitewashed houses with wrought iron balconies so typical of Andalucía. At every corner there is a picturesque nook or cranny, or a terrace crammed with colourful pot plants. The other most important landmark is the Puente de Benamargosa, next to the municipal swimming pool which stretches across the river and from where the road leads to the neighbouring village of Cútar. Benamargosa has a friendly, welcoming and laid back atmosphere. This is a place where the 2,000 or so locals and the many foreigners, mostly British, who have bought rural properties in the vicinity mix happily. There are a handful of bars and restaurants lining the main street through the village. Inevitably avocados feature strongly in local menus, there is even an avocado milkshake.
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CALETA DE VELEZ

Caleta de Vélez is a little seaside resort located between Torre del Mar and Algarrobo Costa. It is still relatively undeveloped as it was mainly a small fishing port with fishermen’s cottages still lining the promenade. There is a working fishing port built in 1972, a marina with more than 200 moorings and a sailing club. The daily fish market is a colourful sight as the fishermen unload their catches ready for sale. The area’s main attraction is the sandy beach lined by a pleasant promenade. The beach offers bathers a full range of facilities and services and there are plenty of bars, restaurants and cafés, many serving locally caught fish and seafood. There are also a range of small shops, supermarkets and banks, while the Saturday street market held on the coast road has stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers, clothes and all kinds of household items. Caleta de Vélez makes a great base for golfing enthusiasts, with the 18-hole Baviera golf course just a five minute drive away and also close at hand for the energetically inclined, is the Aqua Velis water park.
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CASABERMEJA

Casabermeja nestles on the side of a small mountain in an undulating plain of olive groves. approximately halfway between Málaga and Antequera. This village of just over 3,000 inhabitants is just off the motorway which leads from the coast at Malaga going to Granada and is one of the reasons why the area is attracting growing interest among expatriates looking to invest in country properties. Casabermeja is a village of considerable charm, with typical narrow streets and white-washed houses. Casabermeja’s cemetery with its small streets of mausoleums looks like a mini town within the village, and was declared a Historic-Artistic monument in 1980. There are plenty of watering holes and eateries to choose from in and around the village, where typical dishes include rabbit cooked in garlic and roasted baby goat.
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COMARES

Situated on a hill with views towards the Axarquía´s regional capital Vélez-Málaga and the Mediterranean in one direction and to Comares perched precipitously on a mountain in the other, Benamocarra is a typical village of Moorish origin, with narrow streets and white-washed houses. Benomocarra is only nine kilometres from Torre del Mar on the coast. Agriculture is as important as rural tourism, mules are still used as a means of transport, and you may even see bullocks rather than tractors used for ploughing fields. Strolling around Benamocarra is a pleasure, taking time to appreciate its picturesque corners, steep streets ending in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and its gentle pace of life. A specific point of interest is the 16th century Santa Ana parish church, which was built in the Gothic style and has a Mudejar tower. Benamocarra is also one of the villages on the Route of Sun and Avocado, and locals boast the avocados grown here are the best you’ll taste anywhere.

COLMENAR

Colmenar nestles 696 metres above sea level in a natural mountain pass in the most western point of the La Axarquía region, yet only 35 kilometres inland from the coast at Rincón de la Victoria. There are views from just about anywhere in Colmenar of the Sierra de Los Camorolos and the Sierra del Jobo to the north, over towards the Sierra Nevada in the east, and to the neighbouring town Rigor and the olive groves and wheat fields in the valley below. The name of the town, which is the capital of the Málaga Mountain villages, is believed to have derived from the area’s numerous beehives, which existed at least as far back as Moorish times. Today the production of honey is still one of Colmenar’s most important industries, along with agriculture and livestock farming. Colmenar old town has retained its layout of steep narrow streets from the Moorish period, with its typical two storey houses with a patio at the back. It’s still not so uncommon to see mules hitched up outside front doors in this part of town. By contrast the newer part of the town has wider, tree lined streets, although the houses are very much in the traditional style. This is also where there are some of Colmenar’s most appealing restaurants and bars.
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COMPETA

Cómpeta is probably the best known of La Axarquía’s white villages. It was the first in the region to be discovered by sun hungry northern European expatriates looking for an alternative to the more commercialised coastal resorts, and today non-Spaniards make up a large proportion of the resident population. Cómpeta is not so much a village anymore, but has grown into a fairly substantial sized town over the last twenty years or so. The old village, with the characteristic winding, and in places precipitous streets is still there, but all around are relatively new developments, albeit very much in keeping with the traditional Moorish-style of whitewashed houses, with tiled roofs and wrought iron balconies. And the surrounding hills are sprinkled with renovated rural properties and villas, many of which are home to foreigners. Cómpeta is a place in which to wander the narrow cobbled streets, stopping off in one of the towns many bars and restaurants for refreshment and to rest the legs from the often steep climbs. The Church of the Asunción in the central Plaza Almijara, overlooks one of Cómpeta’s principal social hubs. The pretty square, with its bars and restaurants, is a popular meeting place for local residents of all nationalities and a natural stop off for day trippers. A potent Sherry like wine is made here and wine production is so important for Cómpeta that every year on August 15 there is a big public party to celebrate its crucial role in the local economy. The tradition goes back a long way to when town residents would go up to their farmhouses in the mountains to pack the raisins and press the grapes, not returning until October. They would meet up in Plaza Almijara on August 15 for a final party before they went. The vino still flows freely on The Night of Wine, which became an officially organised municipal fiesta in 1975, and locals and tourists alike let down their hair to drink, dance, sing and enjoy performances of flamenco and Sevillana until sun up. There are also various events during the day, including a demonstration of grape treading in the morning and a free traditional lunch of 'migas de harina' (garlic and meat cooked with flour crumbs), sardines, a salad of peppers, oranges, onions, olives and tomatoes, and chorizo sausages. Tourists can taste local wines and buy local products and handicrafts, among them olive oil, honey, ceramics and rugs, from the Museo del Vino at any time of year. The museum is in an 18th century inn and has a bar area serving wine from the barrel and tapas of serrano ham, cheese and sausage.
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FRIGILIANA

Frigiliana is a picture postcard perfect Andaluz village. At every turn of the narrow, cobble stoned streets there are typical Moorish-style white washed houses, their balconies and terraces virtually overflowing with colourful flowers and greenery of all kinds. There are intriguing little niches and archways, and breathtaking vistas of the sea and surrounding countryside covered with avocado orchards and olive trees sloping down to the Mediterranean. Frigiliana is only a few kilometres inland from Nerja, the most important holiday resort along this stretch of coast, conservation and beauty.
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LA VINUELA

The village of Vinuela is 12 kilometres inland from Velez Malaga and is on the Route of Olive Oil and Mountains, and accessed by a little meandering which crosses over streams and passes through orange and lemon groves. The village first began to become established as a settlement in the 18th century due to its position at a crossroads on the road between Vélez-Málaga and Granada. The traveller’s inn, which was the first house in the village, La Venta de Viña, still stands and today is a small bar popular with the old men of the village. The great local attraction is the nearby reservoir, known as Lake Viñuela. The reservoir was constructed on the Rio Guaro, created by building a damn across one of the tributaries and filling a natural valley, and is fed by the rivers Salia, Benamargosa, Bermuza, Rubite and the Madre del Llano de Zafarraya stream. Lake Viñuela is surrounded by beaches and stunning mountain scenery with clear views up to the village of Periana. The area has attracted a sizeable number of northern European expatriates, and there are gorgeous villas with pools on large plots of land scattered around the hillsides. Lake Viñuela attracts day trippers and tourists too, searching for an alternative to the offer of sun, sand and sea in the busy coastal resorts, and there are various hotels, campsites and restaurants to cater for the market. At the southern end of the lake there are areas with picnic tables and barbecues, from where there are superb views of the reservoir and the mountains. As the lake is a reservoir providing drinking water to thousands of homes in La Axarquúa region, motorised craft are forbidden, but sailing boats and canoes are permitted.
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Nerja is a located on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol. The eastern edge of the province of Málaga is connected to the province of Granada by the municipality of Nerja, which is not only the most important tourist centre of the Eastern Costa del Sol, but also the one that boasts the most attractive coastal landscape of the entire Málaga seashore, since here the slopes of the Sierra de Almijara jut boldly into the sea, something unusual in this area of the Mediterranean, and form a very rugged coastline. This coastal setting has been designated as the Paraje Natural de los Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo (Cliffs of Maro-Cerro Gordo Nature Area), which protects a series of small, untouched coves that are of difficult access but worth the visit.

Inland, the territory of Nerja ascends the Sierra de Almijara mountain range –which forms a geographic unit with the Sierra de Tejeda-through a country of deep ravines, sheer cliffs and peaks that is furrowed by numerous watercourses, forming an extraordinarily diverse mountain landscape. In the areas closest to town, there are a large number of housing developments that coexist - probably not for very long - with terraced plots where all kinds of subtropical fruits and vegetables are raised.

Although the town is the most important tourist resort in the area, it has escaped the kind of high rise development so typical of the likes of Torremolinos and Fuengirola. The town has experienced a lot of growth over the last decade and new ‘villages’ such as San Juan de Capistrano stretch up into the surrounding hillsides. But the construction has in general been kept low rise and tasteful. This is in keeping with regulations that demand new developments should be built in the traditional Andaluz style which ensures Nerja remains attractive and appealing.

There is now a new motorway from Málaga making it just a quick drive from Nerja to the provincial capital and the airport. Nerja’s main charm lies is its series of small coves, its mountain backdrop and its old town, which still retains much of the character of its Moorish past. There are narrow streets of white-washed houses with balconies overflowing with geraniums. The centrepiece of the old town is the Balcón de Europa. Originally the site of a ninth century castle, the Balcón was constructed in the late 15th century and is now a pedestrian area with a viewing point over the sea, with vistas of cliffs, bays and mountains. The Balcón and adjacent plaza have a lively atmosphere throughout the year, thanks to the bars, cafés, restaurants and street entertainers, and it is from here that visitors can hire a horse-drawn carriage for tours of the old town. There are nine kilometres of sandy beaches in Nerja, several of which are charming coves accessible only by steep steps. Nerja is also a working town, offering a full range of services and facilities for its residents of all nationalities. Nerja is a great base for those who enjoy sports of all kinds. All the main water sports are available, including fishing, diving, water skiing, canoeing, scuba diving and sailing. There are opportunities too for hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, paragliding and jeep safaris.

PERIANA

Periana is spreads out over a hill at the foot of the Sierra de Alhama in the High Axarquía, above Lake Viñuela. This is a very scenic area attracting growing numbers of foreign house buyers. The abundant water and microclimate of the region has attracted settlers since prehistoric times, as the archaeological remains found at the Cerro de la Alcolea testify, neolithic remains have also been discovered in the area. Surrounded by fruit and olive groves, Periana’s main claim to fame are the succulent peaches grown in the area and the high quality of the local olive oil, there is even an olive oil museum a few kilometres outside the village. Up until the 19th century the area’s big attraction was the Arab baths in the village of Vilo, just 2.5 kilometres from Periana. The 21°C sulphurous waters are reputedly particularly beneficial for skin complaints. The baths fell into a state of disrepair due to a dispute between the local authorities of Vélez and Periana and a private individual over ownership. At the end of the 19th century, the then owner Emilo de San Martín, carried out a series of improvements on the installations, which were then severely damaged by a storm in 1907. The Town Hall acquired the baths at the beginning of the 1990s, and they are currently undergoing renovation works before being reopened. The countryside around Periana is really beautiful, and is ideal terrain for walking, mountain biking and riding enthusiasts. It is also possible to practice non motorised water sports on the nearby Lake Viñuela.
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RINCON DE LA VICTORIA

This municipality is made up of several population centres: Benagalbón, five kilometres into the interior; La Cala; Torre de Benagalbón; Aguirre; Los Millares and several others with less population. In the last 20 years, practically all of these communities, especially Rincón de la Victoria and La Cala, have experienced spectacular growth due mainly to their proximity to the city of Málaga and to improvements in their transportation links. What were originally second homes for many residents of the capital have thus become their main residences.
This does not make Rincón de la Victoria just an extension of Málaga, although its proximity is an advantage. It has a life of its own and also very dynamic tourism and commerce.

RIOGORDO

Riogordo lies in the heart of the Axarquía region in the valley of the Río de la Cueva on the Route of Olive Oil and Mountains, ringed by scenic sierras, rivers and streams. The beautiful countryside and backdrop of mountains around this town of around 2,700 inhabitants has attracted a good number of foreign property purchasers in recent years, although its typically rural Andaluz character is unchanged.
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SAYALONGA

Sayalonga is situated on the road between Algarrobo and Competa and makes a good base for anyone who enjoys hiking and mountain biking, as it is just a short distance from the Sierra Almijara National Park and the Tejeda mountains, an unspoilt natural environment of forests, mountains, rock formations, streams, wild plants, eagles and mountain goats. There are stunning views of the coast and of Torre del Mar.
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TORRE DEL MAR

Torre del Mar has four kilometres of wide sandy beaches lined with restaurants, bars and apartments and is a lively seaside resort for much of the year. One of the most attractive features of Torre del Mar is its wide beachfront promenade, with gardens and tennis courts, and the lighthouse at one end. At any time of the year it’s a great place for a stroll and people watching, or to relax and enjoy a drink or a snack in one of the beach bars and take in the clear views along the coast and of the mountains and villages behind the town. The beaches themselves are equipped with a complete range of facilities, from showers and toilets, to a lifeguard service in the summer months. The huge El Ingenio shopping centre with its restaurants, multi screen cinema and ten pin bowling alley is only a few minutes away.
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TORROX

Torrox pueblo is little over 35 minutes from Malaga and the drive into the surrounding area is pleasant with olive and almond trees being the most popular crop. Agriculture is a large income but tourism is getting larger each year especially with the new hotels being built. Torrox Pueblo is a pretty and charming village with whitewash buildings. The labyrinth of narrow streets that lead up and out of the main plaza add to the charm of this place. The coastal area of Torrox stretches 3kms along the promenade “Paseo Maritimo” where there is Torrox Costa is essentially a coastal strip about four kilometres away from the typical white village of Torrox Pueblo. The resort is very popular with sun seekers and offers a choice of hotels, hostels and holiday apartments. The nine kilometres of golden sands divided into the two main urbanisations of Torrox Costa and El Morche is undoubtedly the area’s main attraction. The beaches are equipped with a full range of services, from showers and beach beds for hire and lifeguards during the peak summer season, and most years the Playa de Ferrara and Playa de El Morche are awarded European Union Blue Flags. Two broad promenades lined with a huge selection of restaurants and bars.

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VELEZ-MALAGA

Vélez-Málaga is a bustling, working town and the capital of the unspoilt La Axarquía region, which stretches from the eastern side of Málaga city to the border of Granada province and northwards as far as the village of Alfarnate. With a population of around 55,000, Vélez-Málaga is also the biggest town in this region of spectacular mountain scenery, picture postcard white villages and Mediterranean beaches, known too for its sub-tropical climate, its fertile valleys of orange and lemon groves, kiwi, apple and mango trees, and the sweet local wine made from sun-dried muscatel grapes. Vélez-Málaga’s outskirts are ordinary enough, with plenty of new apartment blocks and commercial areas, but it’s worth venturing into the centre to explore further. There are some very fine buildings, a number of excellent shopping streets and several very smart cafés, tapas bars and restaurants. a step back in time take a wander around the steep, winding streets of the oldest part of the town, known as Arrabal de San Sebastián, which climbs up the hill topped by Vélez-Málaga’s most important landmark – the 13th century Moorish fortification, or ‘Alcazaba.’ From here there are views to the coast and surrounding valley and mountains.
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