Days Out and About

Granada, approximately 45 minute drive, is a must see city. The world famous Alhambra, full of stunning architecture and frescoes,  and must be booked in advance. Go and shop in the Arabesque old town, where cobbled streets twist and turn with aromas of incense wafting through the air and an array of shops selling a variety of northern African products and oddities.  Stop for a coffee, a cool drink or a spot of lunch at one of the many cafes.

Riofrio, approximately 40 minute drive, is a small village famous for its fish farms, breeding trout and sturgeon. Encompassing the village are many restaurants serving farm fresh trout. The village also produces organically certified caviar, tours and tastings can be organised.  Go for a walk to the source of the river and discover old flour mills along the way. Start by crossing the old bridge and take the path immediately to the right. Trainers advised as rocky in places.

Europe's most southern ski resort and the highest in Spain with views over the Mediterranean. Skiing can be enjoyed from late November to early May, and being in southern Spain there will be many sunny days.

An hour's drive away, Montefrio hosts some spectacular views from its several viewpoints around the town.  Take a walk up to the top of the hill to see the church, once an Arab fortress,, sitting on top of a rock, looming over the town. In the centre of the town is Iglesia De La Encarnación, a unique church in that it is completely round.

Down near the coast along from Malaga, Frigiliana is a beautiful, picturesque whitewashed hill town.  Voted as the 'prettiest village in Andalusia' by the Spanish tourism authority, take a wander along a maze of cobbled streets with meticulously maintained houses, mostly with blue doors and adorned with colourful pot plants brimming with bougainvillaea, lavendar and jasmine.  With a vast array of cafes, bars and restaurants, a day can easily be whiled away here.

Set between the Costa del Sol and Costa Almeria, the Costa Tropical consists primarily of 4 coastal towns - Almunecar, Salobrena, Motril and La Herradura. Pristine beaches, rugged cliffs, soaring mountains and pretty whitewashed villages makes this part of the coastline a must see visit.

If you enjoy adventurous hikes then this is a must for you! Often referred as the scariest path in Europe, it is actually perfectly safe. The Caminito del Rey is a cliff-side path hanging 100m above the waters of the river Guadalhorce reservoir, as it runs through the famous beauty spot; El Chorro Gorge, near the villages of El Chorro in Alora and, Ardales. It is about 2 hours from Alhama and about a 3 hour walk, though it is recommended that you allow 4 or 5 hours. Check online for opening times and to buy tickets.

Ronda, a mountain top town in Malaga province, is set above a dramatic deep 100 metre gorge. El Tajo gorge separates Ronda's old town from its new town, joined together by a bridge spanning the gorge and which has stunning views far across the countryside.  The old town's history, which largely dates from Moorish times, can be felt in all its cobbled streets, old mansions and stone churches.  Visit one of Spain's oldest bullring, or explore the historic Arab baths built in the 12th century.  Ronda has many tapas restaurants as well as Bardal, a Michelin starred restaurant offering tasting menus paired with wines from their cellars.

Named after its once flourishing wineries, Setenil is very unique in that the town has grown out of a network of caves in the cliffs above the Rio Trejo.  Its blending white houses seem to emerge from the rocks and some have rock roofs and even olive groves on their roofs. Walk along the streets, climb steps to the miradors to take in the views and to reach the castle ruins and visit the many tavernas.

A Moorish whitewashed mountain village in southern Andalucia, Genalguacil has become in the last 30 years an open-air art museum, where artists from all over the region come and display their work along the streets and on the walls of houses.