Excursions from the Costa del Sol
One of the most famous holiday destinations in Spain is undoubtedly the Costa del Sol. This is the coastline of Malaga in Andalusia, southern Spain. As the name suggests, you’ll find sunny weather almost all year round, and fabulous beaches ideal for a stroll or a swim. But as well as its beach resorts, you’ll love its whitewashed villages further inland, its cultural attractions, its local food, its many different shops, its wide variety of golf courses, and its vibrant traditions. And if you’re travelling with children, there are plenty of leisure parks to choose from.
Starting from the city of Malaga, the capital of the province, we suggest several excursions for anyone spending a few days on the Costa del Sol. If you are staying in another town, such as Marbella, these excursions can easily be adapted to suit your location.
Going inland
Now we head away from the coast to visit inland towns with different things to see: dizzying views, historic sites… The two we suggest today are Ronda and Antequera
Ronda
Ronda is about 100 kilometres from Malaga. The ideal place to start a visit to Ronda is its bridge, Puente Nuevo, the symbol of the town. It is 98 metres high, with spectacular views of the houses and balconies which hang over the precipice. There are also great views from the Alameda del Tajo, a pleasant tree-lined walk, which we recommend visiting at sunset.
Other places to see on a visit to Ronda? The bullring (one of the oldest and prettiest in Spain), or the remains of the Arab medina on the south bank of the river Guadalevín, with parts of the walls still standing. If you still have room in your luggage, most of the shops are on Calle Carrera Espinel, a pedestrianised street. If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to try the traditional Yemas del Tajo.
Antequera
About 50 kilometres inland from the city of Malaga, Antequera also boasts an important historical and cultural heritage. If we had to pick one thing to see, it would probably be the spectacular and perfectly preserved prehistoric dolmens, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This archaeological site is a must-see, with enormous standing stones which were put in place 6,000 years ago. A walk around town will also reveal mansions, churches, and an Islamic fortress.
And why not try one of the famous local sweets? For example, you can get a bienmesabe (made of almond, sponge cake and angel-hair squash) in a confectioner’s or from the convent where it is made by nuns. And while you’re shopping, it’s always worth having a look in the artisan workshops where they make wooden furniture, flamenco dresses, etc.
A final tip. 15 kilometres away is the stunning landscape of Torcal de Antequera, strange rock formations that were created over 200 million years ago. It’s one of the best examples of karst topography in Europe.