Fuengirola
Fuengirola is just twenty minutes from Malaga airport; there is a local train station that provides easy access to 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. The wide promenade with plenty of palm trees and beautiful colorful flowerbeds makes it a popular place for old and young alike and is ideal for disabled or pushchairs. The beaches all hold a European blue flag.
Fuengirola is particularly popular with Spanish nationals, British and other nationalities; therefore there is a wide variety of entertainment and restaurant choice, ranging from the Andalucia traditional tap as (bar snacks) and shellfish dishes to the British bar serving anything from bangers and burgers to Al a Carte, together with Guinness on tap.
There is an excellent selection of supermarkets and competitively priced shops.
Every 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 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.
There are annual fiestas, in July, the feast of the Virgin del Carmen when local fisherman carry an effigy of the Virgin out to sea, October is when the feria takes place the time when the town really comes to life with flamenco, and fun which carries on from dawn to dusk for a week.
Benalmadena Puerto
Benalmadena Puerto Marina rates amongst one of the best in the world, It as been winner of the 'Best Marina in the World' award several times. With over a 1000 moorings for boats of all nationalities and up to 6 meters long, Benalmadena Marina' is one of the Costa del Sol's busiest centres by day and night. The nightlife is an ideal spot with all its bars and clubs, for those who can keep up with the pace.
There is an Aquarium to visit, hire a boat, and various water sports, including; sailing, scuba diving, kayaking, water skiing. and shops selling sailing equipment.
The Marina has a beautiful beach area with beach beds and parasols for hire. It has continually been awarded the European Blue Flag for its excellent service and clean waters.
Mijas Village
One of the jewels of the Costa del Sol is the beautiful little village of Mijas, which nestles comfortably in the mountainside. You should never holiday in the Costa del Sol with out a visit to the famous white village of Mijas.
As you walk through the narrow cobbled streets of this Andalucian village; you can understand why it has attracted foreigners to visit here over the years. Mijas Pueblo is highly popular with tourists and has somehow managed to retain much of its traditional Andalucia way of life.
There are craft shops having some wonderful hand made pottery and often-affordable paintings and prints by acclaimed local artists.
Ronda
Ronda is one of Andalucia’s loveliest towns, it stands on a towering plateau in the mountains and is 50 km from the coast.
Ronda is famous 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 can peer down into the gorge, to see the waters of the River Guadalevin.
Ronda is also famous for its bullring, the oldest and largest, and the most beautiful in Spain. When there are no fights, the bullring is open to visitors, and has a fascinating museum with many mementos of Spain’s most well known bullfighters.
One of the most charming and fascinating towns in Andalucia, Ronda is very popular with day-trippers from the Costa del Sol, and has a wide range of cafes and restaurants. However, it retains all of its traditional charm and leisurely atmosphere. Ronda stands on a mighty headland, or outcropping, which made it unassailable to the Christian armies until the very last years of the re-conquest. A deep cleft in the rock, spanned by the 18th century “Puente Nuevo” or New Bridge, which is the chief landmark for all itineraries, slashes this plateau into two main quarters.
Modern (largely built in the 18th century) Ronda is the quarter to the North of the gorge, called El Mercadillo, with the Plaza de Espana, the site of Ronda's recently built Parador, the stunning footpath by the side of the river gorge with fantastic views of the countryside beneath.
You can walk from the bullring to the pedestrian shopping district, where some of the shops still retain their traditional look and style.
Marbella
Marbella is a luxurious town which has something for everyone, it is a favorite with the rich and famous, and is loved by the more ordinary folk who are willing to pay a little bit extra.
Marbella has an air of individuality that can be best appreciated by exploring back streets in the old part of town. One of the prettiest places is Orange Square’ which is located just off the main street in the older district.
Orange Square, or "La Plaza de los Naranjos", as it is called in Spanish, has plenty of bars and bistros and is a hub of activity day and night. And, depending on the time of year, the colors here can be vibrant, with the trees and exotic tropical plants set against a backdrop of dazzling white buildings and a deep blue sky.
Explore the narrow streets where homes and shops intermingle to create the atmosphere of a small village, rather than a cosmopolitan town. There are numerous excellent restaurants to choose from, ranging from those specialising in the predictably pricey exclusive cordon bleu to the individuality of a back street Spanish bar where the Serrano ham and the tapas are both tasty and filling.
The Marbella coastline stretches along sunny beaches beside the Mediterranean and where you can enjoy traditional fish and seafood favorites like sardines, fried fish and paella.
The nightlife is buzzing here with alfresco bars, piano bars and discos that are open from dusk until dawn.
Puerto Banus
Puerto Banus is located just west of Marbella. This is the place to relax and watch those fabulous luxury yachts while sipping a drink at one of the many open-air restaurants and bars. The setting is close to ideal, with its impressive mountain backdrop and ocean views.
The port features a casino, department store, marine observatory and a multi cinema. It is one of the most exclusive areas on the Costa del Sol, a million heirs playground, where you can sit and watch the rich and famous come and go.
The nightlife is buzzing at Puerto Banus with a choice of bars, clubs and discos. There are several of the world-renowned fashions houses here plus small interesting shops and boutiques making it a window shopper’s paradise.
The beach adjacent to Puerto Banus holds a European blue flag.
Every Saturday morning at Puerto Banus by the bullring is a very popular street market where you can pick up all sorts of bargains.
|
