About the Spanish countryside in Andalucia

Many people who come to the Costa del Sol head straight to the coast, sit on a crowded beach and explore no further than half an hours walk from the Hotel. It's true, we have met many of them in our time. It's a shame, as they may be missing out on some real treats and a new perspective on Spain. Our suggestion is next time you come here, hire a car, get away from the crowded coastline and travel a little inland. If driving in Spain worries you, then find the local bus routes and times and plan a little trip that way, it will be well worth it. Possibly next time you could opt to take your holiday in a more rural location. There are many superb accommodation options to be found inland too and of course many of the best golf courses can also be found in the Spanish countryside.

Heading inland from the stretch of coast that runs from Malaga to Marbella, (the main tourist destinations), you will find that even the rural locations have not gone unscathed with a little over-development and large expat communities. The over inflated prices on the coast encouraged people to look inland for the cheaper properties, one they started buying and moving in the fever caught on, property developers saw their new market. Now, what used to be quaint little villages are indeed small towns, overall however they still remain quaint and more peaceful than the coast. There is still plenty of tradition in the inland areas and even the expats that have moved there try to fit in. One key thing you will notice is that eating out and drinking tends to be half the price of that on the coast and often better quality.
It's the best place to try traditional home made Spanish cooking and tapas, the way it's meant to be.

Horse riding and country sports including shooting, hiking, golf and other activities are popular in the Spanish countryside. The Spanish themselves are very keen horsemen and take pride in their traditional country pursuits. If you would like to experience horse riding in Spain there are many Spanish and English run stables that offer lessons for the beginner or outings for the experienced rider. You can also take a leisurely ride in a horse and cart around many Spanish villages.

Fiestas and Holidays: The coast of Spain is kept mainly for tourists these days, only a glimpse of Spanish tradition can be seen in many of the busy resorts.
Real Spain can only be experienced inland, the culture, food and the traditional Spanish Fiestas that see the community spirit, sadly now lost in the modern world.

For Golfers: The best location for rural golf is the "Campo" between Malaga and Estepona, here you will find some 30 of the Costa del Sol's, 50 golf courses plus a range of Accommodation and Villas.

The other direction:

Most people who fly to Malaga Airport, obtain their mode of transport and head straight down the motorway in the direction of Marbella. This is the area most Known as the Costa del Sol and while it has it's qualities (especially if you are a golfer), but there is another option. Head in the opposite direction towards Almeria and experience a very different type of holiday, in the stretch of the Costa del Sol that runs from Malaga to Nerja. Even the Coast in this region is not as over-developed as the stretch towards Marbella, a lot more Spanish and a lot more traditional. The campo inland of this region (Axarquia) is a fantastic adventure of traditional villages, lakes, orange, lemon and olive plantations. It still has it's expat community and you will be surprised but sometimes comforted to find the odd English or German bar in the most unlikely of places.

However to "fit in" with the Spanish many of these bars keep an air of Spanish tradition, unlike the English "Joes cafe's" of the coast. For example travel deep into the Heart of the countryside from Torre del Mar, Past the Lake Viñuela and into the Mountains to a traditional village called Benamagosa and you will find Bar Sylvia, run by Mick and Andrea, although British run they keep an air of both Spanish and English tradition, including regular live acoustic music nights that a variety of musicians attend.

If you are heading out this way visit the nearby town of Clamares, a amazing sight to behold as it is situated on the top of a mountain platter with a sheer cliff to three sides.

This is a breathtaking region for countryside lovers, only surpassed by heading for a daytrip into the Granda Province for a trip around Lajaron, Orgiva and the Alpuharas.