Daytrips

Apart from the beautiful and historic towns of Málaga, Sevilla, Cádiz, Granada and Córdoba, there are other villages, ‘pueblos blancos’ and places of interest, that are definitely worth a visit.

We have listed our recommendations for day trips at 15 minutes to 1 hour driving from Estepona here below.

MALAGA

The capital of the Costa del Sol is a place with a characteristic urban life and a firm cultural and economic basis. I is a shame that a lot of tourists are not interested in Málaga and see it just as a station before going to the bathing resorts along coast. The curiosities of Málaga are not so famous, but nevertheless it is certainly worth while to get acquainted with this city.

The most relaxed way to get aquatinted with Málaga, is from the horse carriage, in which you can make a trip around the city.

The Museo Picaso is a museum devoted to the most influential artist of the twentieth century. Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) was born in Málaga, a city with a rich cultural heritage. Picasso carried on this legacy and became an innovator of styles and techniques that changed the course of modern art. Opening times: Tuesday till Thursday 10:00 till 20:00, Friday and Saturday 10:00 till 21:00, Sundays and holidays 10:00 till 20:00, 24 & 31 December 10:00 till 15:00. Closed on 25th of December and the 1st of January. Price: collection ± € 6,00, exposition ± € 4,50, combined € 8,00. Palacio de Buenavista San Agustin 8, 29015 Málaga, 0034902443377. Zie www.museopicassomalaga.org.

MARBELLA

Marbella’s motto is “A Way of Life” and, certainly, this luxurious resort town seems to have it all and is, once again, rising to the fore as a favourite location with the rich and famous, as well as more ordinary folk who are willing to pay just a little bit extra for southern Spain’s answer to St. Tropez.

But Marbella has a down to earth side as well, an air of individuality which can be best appreciated by exploring back streets in the old part of town. One of the prettiest places is the fabled ‘Orange Square’ which is located just off the main street in the older district and is also home to the 16th century town hall and tourist office where you can pick up a detailed map and visitor information.

Back to Orange Square, or “La Plaza de los Naranjos”, as it is called in Spanish, expect to meet with stately buildings, small shops, art galleries, bars and bistros and is a hub of activity day and night.

MIJAS

Mijas is a typically Andalusian white-washed village located at a mountain side about 450 m above mean sea level, in the heart of the Costa del Sol region and an attraction for the tourists. It is fun to have a ride in a donkey taxi or walk along the old streets. It lies about 5 km inland at over 400 m above sea level.

PUERTO BANUS

Puerto José Banús, more commonly known as Puerto Banús is a marina located in the area of Nueva Andalucía, to the southwest of Marbella, Spain on the Costa del Sol and is a luxury marina and shopping complex, the largest entertainment centres in the Costa del Sol, with 5 million annual visitors.

There are ships of millions belonging to owners with millions. In Puerto Banús the super yacht “Nabila” is anchored, it belongs to the former millionaire Adnan Kashoggi.

Puerto Banús is an expensive place: a meal in one of the luxury restaurants is definitely pricey.

The beautiful Puerto Banús marina, with its chic yachts, trendy restaurants and bars, acts as a magnet for visitors to the Costa del Sol. A stay on the Costa del Sol is incomplete without a visit to Puerto Banús, one of the most famous local attractions

CASARES

A lovely small village with breathtaking views over the coast line. On the way up to Casares you’ll find some wonderful restaurants, in the village itself mostly small bars or eateries.

GAUCIN

Small picturesque artist’s favorite mountain village, excellent restaurants. It can be very well combined with a visit to Casares.

JIMENA DE LA FRONTERA

Charming village surrounded by Spain’s most unspoiled nature park, a great place for hiking along the river Hozgarganta. On the way to Jimena, driving across this amazing landscape, you’ll get to the heart of authentic Andalucía with extensive orange groves, large ranches with grazing bulls and horses, cork oak forests and romantic sleepy little villages.

CASTELLAR DE LA FRONTERA

Beautifully located historic fortress, with numerous tiny boutiques, small bars and medieval castle fortress, right on top of a hill with marvelous views over the river valley and on top of a hill. On the way there you can see in almost every electricity pylon a stork in the nest.

BENAHAVIS

This small village lies at the end of a gorge, where the Guadalmina river flows, and, according to the Guinness Book of Records it has the highest density of restaurants per square meter!

RONDA

The journey by car is beautiful, the road leads you for 45 km through the Serrania de Ronda. What could be even more fun, is a 1½ hour train ride from Estacion San Roque to Ronda, leave early morning and return in the evening. The town’s clean image is spread over two mountain slopes, connected by an old bridge over a deep gorge called ‘Puente Nuevo’. In summer it can be very hot and very cold in winter. The oldest bullfighting arena, also a museum, is located in Ronda.

JUZCAR

The white houses in 2011 were all painted blue for the world premiere of the film The Smurfs, since this the village is an attraction, the residents decided not recover the white paint.

SEVILLA

Isla Mágica – Big Attraction Park that was build for the European Expo in 1992. Opening times are irregular, as from June until half September nearly every day, it is always better to ring and ask first. Opening times: whole day visit 11:00 – 24:00, afternoon visit 17:00 till 20:30. Price high season: adults whole day ± € 28,00, children (5-12) and 60+ whole day ± € 20,00. For more information and reservations you can call 0034902161716. Zie www.islamagica.es

MEDINA SEDONIA

Geographical location and history, located in the heart of the province of Cádiz, between the mountain and sea, Medina Sidonia has a privileged view of country-side and the Bay of Cadiz. A visit to this town entails travelling through history. Within its streets we discover past civilizations that are now part of our memory and legacy.

The Roman colony of Asido Caesarina was constructed over Phoenician settlement, at the top of “Cerro del Castillo”, over 300 meters high. Under Visigoth rule, Medina was capital of the province and has been centre of the church since late V century. It was invaded by the Muslims in 712 and was capital of the Sidonia Cora (Sadunia).

It was reconquered by king Alfonso X El Sabio in 1264 and became part of the frontier with the Nazari kingdom of Granada. This 3.000 year old town has been declared Historic and Artistic Zone and of Cultural Interest. Route: On the N340 direction Algeciras until the exit to “Los Barrios”, then follow the road for about 30 minutes until you see Medina Sidonia on the signs. Zie www.medinasidonia.com

SIERRA DE LAS NIEVES, ALOZAINA, CASARABONELA, EL BURGO, GUARO, ISTAN, MONDA, OJEN, TOLOX, YUNQUERA

These white villages are located in the Sierra de las Nieves, a beautiful park with streams, waterfalls and lakes, offering beautiful walking and cycling. It is absolutely stunning in winter when the almond trees are in bloom, as it is in the summer when traditional evening festivals are celebrated, especially the Festival de Luna Mora Guaro in September is an absolute must.

Is a natural paradise located in the central area of the province of Málaga, very near the Costa del Sol. In the last few years la Sierra de las Nieves has experimented an important and positive transformation. The stimulus on its natural, historical and cultural own resources, have allowed the creation of new working areas and a social-economical development. On this fact has been crucial the declaration as Natural Park and Reserve of the Biosphere of the whole area.

The Sierra de las Nieves is a natural museum, that rises abruptly and deep depths cross it. A life resort plenty with history and culture. The biological diversity of this Natural Park is the result of the privileged situation between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. In other times, the snowmen kept in deep pits, a frozen treasure, snow, to be delivered during the burning summer in the entire province. That is the origin of the name of the Sierra.

Every corner is a little paradise, every gully a microcosms. But the most important fact, the genuine star is the Spanish fir, heritage from its Glacial Past when the climate was colder, and which have survived thank to the very special conditions of this area. There is as well a large amount of spices like pines, chestnuts, holm oaks and cork oaks, originating a wonderful forest with a high ecological and beautiful value. In these forests live wild cats, foxes, wild goats, and, over these peaks, eagles, vultures, falcons, and a wide range of singing birds.

It has to be said that any season is the good one to know la Sierra de las Nieves, because each season brings new colors to the country. In spring the sierra is full with flowers. In the summer, the running fresh water that rushes in a myriad of rivers, waterfalls and springs fulfill the region with the sounds of life. Once in autumn the cold appears as a prelude of the winter. The color changes from the green to the yellow, and the ground is carpeted with countless leaves. In the winter, the highest peaks are covered with a white wrap of snow. Zie www.sierranieves.com

NERJA

Cueva de Nerja – Caves of Nerja

Only one-third of the halls are open for tourists, low galleries (Entrance Hall, Crèche Hall, Elephant Eye-Tooth Hall, Ballet Hall, Phantoms Hall and Cataclysm Hall), throughout the latest one can pass up to the High Halls discovered in 1960, both of which are accessible to the reduced groups of visitors dedicated to speleological tourism. The approximate duration of the visit to the tourist zone in the Caves of Nerja accounts up to 45 minutes. Opening times: winter 10:00 till 14:00 and 16:00 till 18:30, summer 10:00 till 19:30. Price: adults ± € 8,50, children as from 6 years onwards ± € 4,50, children under 6 years free. For more information you can call 0034952529520. Zie www.cuevadenerja.es