Local Attractions

This whole area is great for the active, outdoor life.
This area is also a great gateway to the historic cities of Andalucia. Only a two hour drive away are:

•  Granada (you must visit the Alhambra, a world heritage site)
•  Cordoba (see the Mesquita),
•  Seville (so much to see)
•  Alhama de Granada (1 hour) boasts natural hot springs and is located higher in the mountains.
•  Malaga is only 45 minutes away and is a wonderful city to explore especially The Old Town. White Villages around Lake Vinuela Nestled in the mountains are the picturesque white villages, Vinuela, Alcaucin, Periana, Comares, Riogordo are just a few to name and here you will find typical Spanish bars serving Tapas or excellent restaurants with majestic views. All of the villages have there own fiestas where free entertainment, and sometimes free food and wine are served. Well worth a visit to see how the traditional Spanish still live today and if you are lucky enough to be here while they are having a fiesta don’t expect to be home before midnight as they go on till long hours in the morning. Velez Malaga Velez Malaga (15 minutes drive) is an understated interesting historic Moorish/Spanish town. Ignore its exterior and it is worth a wander among its very interesting little shops and tapas bars catering for a wide variety. Coast/Beach – Torre del Mar 15 – 20 Minutes away is the costal town of Torre del Mar which has a beautiful beach, a long promenade, many good restaurants, and tapas bars. There is a traditional Spanish day market on Thursdays and all of these provide great variety for family entertainment. In the summer months there is a nightly market where you can buy local crafts, clothing, shoes and bags, jewelry and African crafts. The beach provides lots of activities including pedlo and Jet Ski hire, volley ball nets, children’s climbing frames and trampolines; peddle cart hire to use on the promenade and around the town. There are plenty of beach front tapas bars and ice cream parlors which serve delightful deserts and coffee. Caleta de Velez (25 Minutes) Located on the coast East of Torre del mar, Caleta de Velez is a pretty fishing village with superb beaches and home of one of the golf courses mentioned below and a vibrant fish market. Approx 350 types of fish and 100 species of seafood are caught in this part of Spain. The Marina is the only boating harbor and sports marina situated on the Eastern Costa del Sol. It has 238 moorings between the 8 and 20 metres deep; the harbour has a sandy anchorage and an entrance width of 80 metres with a depth of 9 metres. Plans to extend the marina are underway. The port facilities include marine authorities, first aid, parking, divers, cranes, shipyard, moorings, workshop and yacht chandlers, petrol and gas oil. Torrox and Torrox Costa (30 minutes) Torrox is a medium size village approximately 4km inland from Torrox Costa. A wide range of cuisine is found in this area. The centre is very pretty with brilliant white-walled houses clinging to the steep slope on which the town is built. Torrox Costa it is a popular coastal strip, particularly with holidaymakers who flock here during the summer. Torrox Costa is also the site of the remains of a Roman necropolis and villa located immediately west of the lighthouse. Nerja (40 minutes) Is famous for its central point, The Balcon de Europe, which is a palm tree lined promenade going out over the sea. The town has many good quality restaurants offering a wide variety of menus including Ayo's which is famous for its Paella and many beach restaurants on Burriana beach. It is a very pleasant place to browse in the book stores or have coffee and watch the world go by. Caves of Nerja are a must see opportunity, extending over 2km they have magnificent stalagmites and stalactites. A variety of beach activities are also on offer. I can recommend a full day here by enjoying the beach and its facilities, a trip to the Caves of Nerja and to end the day a meal in one of the many superb restaurants. Sierra Nevada - Skiing This is the most southerly ski resort in Europe and is a less well known sport in this area. The Sierra Nevada Mountains offer skiing from November to the end of March. The resort is 1 hour 50 minutes drive through beautiful countryside or motorway. The skiing dimension offers the amazing possibility of alternating skiing with beaches on the same holiday Travel Transport is best arranged through a car rental company. We have a link to an excellent company who will greet you at the airport arrivals and help with your luggage and when you arrange your drop off time, they meet you directly at departures. (Some of the companies based on-site at the airport are quite a distance away for vehicle drop off and they do not provide transport) Walking The scenery is stunning; the Sierra Tejeda mountain range includes the impressive Mount Maroma at over 2000 metres high. Hill-walkers can tackle the peak from Canillas de Aceituno, and nature lovers can take in the beauty of the National Park at Alcaucin, at the foot of the Sierra Tejeda, which is a 10 minute drive away. This area is ideal for walkers. A local English speaking guide can be arranged, offering 2-8 hour walks. They love to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for the area. The Andalucian Olive Oil Route is a great place to start. It begins in Riogordo and continues to Alcaucin crossing many interesting pueblos such as Colmenar, Alfarnate and Periana. The mountain roads are surrounded by olive trees and panoramic mountain peaks. You can enjoy the history and culture of these highlands, experience the hospitality of the friendly mountain people or simply take a rest and enjoy the spectacular scenery Activities Golf There are two golf courses situated within a 20-30 minute drive of the villa: Opening Hours: Mon-Fri From 16.00h to 24.00h. Sat & Sun From 12.00h to 24.00h. Jeep Safari Fishing Fishing the man made lakes of Andalucia is very popular and they are in the main very well stocked with Carp, Trout and Bass. Apart from Lake Vinuela there are many other lakes within easy driving distance in the province. There are also some very good Angling rivers. The Rio Frió is one such river which lies mid way between Granada and Malaga in the foothills of the Sierra de Loja mountains. The Frió is well stocked with brown trout. A local licence can be obtained at Loja from the Alberge de Pescadores telephone +34 958 32 31 77. You will find many of the local restaurants specializing in Trout as may be expected - it makes excellent eating. The office of tourism in Andalucia 'Turismo Andaluz' have produced a first class information pamphlet to help visiting fishermen - the booklet is called "Sports Fishing" and can be picked up from almost any tourist information office. Sea Fishing The coast line of Andalucia and of particular interest to us the Costa del Sol is very popular with sea anglers. Both beach fishing and deep sea angling are common. The Spanish fishermen will be found lining the shores on most Sunday mornings with multiple fishing rods under their control. Fishing trips can be arranged at Caleta de Velez. From here you may be fishing for swordfish during the summer months (Jul - Sep) and possibly Tuna which is fairly plentiful. Other fish will include shark, sea bass, bream, gilthead and grouper. Similar to Disney, Tivoli World uses it's own currency which they call the "Tivolino". Alternatively the "SUPERtivolino" ticket enables unlimited access to all rides and attractions. Recent additions to the park are Tivoliandia which is an area of 11 rides for very small children and babies, and Tivoli Agua a water mountain flume ride. Programme of Shows: Plaza Andalucia: (Daily, Free)
19.00h Folklore
20.00h Flamenco
21.00h Classic Dancing/Flamenco
22.00h Classic Dancing/Flamenco
23.00h Andalucía Party Plaza del Oeste: (Daily, Free)
17.30h Circus
19.00h Circus
20.00h Wild West
21.00h Stars on Broadway
22.00h A night at the Moulin Rouge
23.30h Wild West Theatre: (Daily)
18.00h Teletubbies & Friends (Free)
20.00h Golden Abba (6 euros)
22.00h Elvis, the Legend (6 euros)