Andalucia’s Pueblos Blancos are a series of little white towns scattered throughout the Sierra de Cadiz hills, with dense pine groves and cork tree forests giving way to fortified villages and beautiful castles that long ago were scattered across the frontier of the Christian and Moor conflict. Today, the villages still exist in all their beauty, and are wonderful day-trip excursions. The most outstanding follow.
The Costa del Sol – Spanish gold
The mild climate and beautiful beaches of the Costa del Sol have made it Spain’s most popular tourist destination, and it’s therefore the most developed region of the Spanish coast. The Mediterranean here is perfect for swimming, warm and straight, and you’ll readily find hotels, restaurants, and things to do wherever you go. It’s divided into several parts.
Divided town of Ronda
A deep river gorge divides the town of Ronda in two parts: the medieval and the 18th century sections. The gorge is called El Tajo (The Cliff), and it’s spanned by a stone bridge that once housed a prison. Beneath are the rushing waters of Guadalevin. The whole town is on a grand plateau in the mountains, and is renowned as one of Andalucia’s most beautiful towns.
Nerja – Unspoiled coastal town
On the eastern tip of the Costa del Sol, the sleepy fishing village Nerja has been transformed into a bustling tourist mecca, with sixteen kilometers of beach on powder sand and crystal waters. Water skiing, scuba diving, and sailing are common pastimes. The Sierra Almijara provides a view of the mountains from Nerja, as well as a place for rock climbers and hikers to pass some pleasant vacation time.
Moorish town of Mojácar
Mojacar is the most Moorish of Andalucia’s places. It holds a strategic — and beautiful — position high on a hill overlooking the lands around, and as a result has long been settled by civilization after civilization. It was first inhabited during the Bronze Age in around 2000 BC, by people who have been lost to antiquity. The Phoenicians and Carthaginians traded with them, and the Greeks conquered them, followed by the Romans.
Marbella – St. Tropez of the Costa del Sol
Sandwiched between Malaga and Gibraltar beneath the Sierra Blanca is Marbella, one of the largest and most important beach resorts of the Costa del Sol. It’s an excellent spot for watersports and golf. It’s a favorite destination and home for the rich and famous, and has been compared to St. Tropez. Though the landscaping here is almost as perfect as that of a royal park, you’ll also find a very simple and ancient side to Marbella. In the old part of town, you’ll find the Orange Square, with the 16th century town hall and tourist office.
Paradise – Estepona’s beautiful gardens
Estepona is white against the sparkling Mediterranean, and is backed by Gibraltar on the horizon. Behind the Rock you can see the African mountains. In such a place, you are guaranteed beautiful views.
The cave homes of Almeria
Almeria is both a province and a city in Spain sandwiched between Granada and Murcia. On the inland side you can find Little Hollywood and Yucca City near Tabernas, both sets of numerous spaghetti westerns like Fistful of Dollars.
Torremolinos – The first resort
Torremolinos was the first resort of the Costa del Sol developed into a tourist haven, but it fell into disrepair and disrepute over the years. It has re-emerged lately, growing more popular because of its variety of entertainment and amenities as well as its clean sand beaches. You can still visit many of the fresh fish bars first built in the 60s, sitting next door to upscale stores and boutiques. It is, however, one of the most touristy of the Costa del Sol towns, unable to shake the tourist influence from the mid-twentieth century.
Solobrena and the perfect beaches of the Costa Tropical
The Costa Tropical, not as well-known as the Costa del Sol to the West, is also less crowded and just as idyllic. It’s in Granada Province, and much closer to sights like the Alhambra than many places along the Costa del Sol. Here, the mountains run down to the sea, turning the coastline into harshly beautiful promontories and coves, often with sunlit beaches at the bottoms. La Herradura is a lovely unspoiled beach between the promontories Punta de la Mona and Cerro Gordo. Not far away is the Marina Del Esta, a yacht harbor, and all along the coast you’ll see water sports, scuba diving, and other pastimes that take advantage of the clear water and the wide variety of sea life here.