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Excursions in Malaga

The best attractions in Malaga and surrounding area

Malaga is seldom a holiday destination in itself - the lure of the beaches is too powerful and some of Spain's most beautiful cities are only a few hours drive away.

Estepona

Estepona reckons itself to be one of the unspoiled towns of the Costa del Sol, but its attraction to visitors is far more likely to be its energetic holidaymaking than its culture.

With four golf courses in the immediate vicinity, watersports, sailing, hunting, fishing and sports centres in the town, and of course the obligatory beaches and year-round sunshine, Estepona attracts a fitter class of visitor than many other resorts.

Fuengirola

This is probably the town most typical of the Costa del Sol resorts. Cynics may say that this means there's nothing outstanding about the town; but the proximity of the town, the beaches, the promenade and the hotels sums up what the Costa del Sol has come to mean for many travellers. It's time to play, to drink and eat, and, most of all, to relax.

In Fuengirola there's no pressure to do anything else.

There's a bit of local history, there are the golf courses, the water sports, the odd fiesta, and it's all slightly Spanish but not too much so as to intrude on the rather surreal feeling of being cocooned nowhere in particular.

Gibraltar

The Rock The colony of Gibraltar marks the Western end of the Costa del Sol - and the Western end of the entire Mediterranean Sea.

It's tiny - only about 4km long - and dominated by the famous Rock of Gibraltar. The rich history of this region is dominated by its strategic location, which has been of great importance to Phonecians, Romans, Castilians, the Moors, the Spanish themselves, and currently the British, who have ruled here for almost 300 years.

Attractions include the awesome Cave of St Michael, the Apes Den (half way up the rock) and the 12th-century Moorish castle.

Granada

Granada Granada, is possibly the country's most beautiful city, and simply not to be missed if you are in the vicinity.

Granada is synonymous with its Moorish history, and the town's central attraction is the famous Alhambra complex, the pinnacle of Moorish art in Spain. This is divided into three sections, the Gardens, the Fortress and the magnificant Palace, the Casa Real.

Other attractions in Granada are the Arab quarter of the town, the Capilla Real, and the church of San Nicolás, which offers great views of the town.

Marbella

Marbella The "International City of Tourism", Marbella, has rediscovered itself, and wholeheartedly given itself over to the family holidaymakers of Europe.

The chief attraction of this Costa del Sol resort town is, of course, the beaches - there are an incredible 24 separate ones along the 27km coastline of the municipality of Marbella.

The nightlife and entertainment on offer is second to none, while the town itself can be beautiful, but be warned: the place is seething with visitors.

Ronda

The gorge of Ronda In the area between Malaga, Algeciras and Seville is the visually dramatic town of Ronda.

This Andalucian mountain village is divided by an enormous 130m-deep river gorge, bridged by an impressive stone structure. The charming village complements this impressive feat of engineering, with buildings dating back to the time when the region was in the control of the Arabs.

The ancient baths are one of the better relics left over from this heritage. Ronda is only a day trip from many of the Costa del Sol resorts, and can hardly be too highly recommended for a break from the beaches and overindulgence!

Torremolinos

Torremolinos It was in the town of Torremolinos that the Costa del Sol tourist industry was born, as foreign visitors flocked to this part of the world in increasing numbers since the 1950s.

Sometimes you feel that Torremolinos has been jaded by half a century of ill-behaved English men and boys. There is even a fiesta, the "Dia Del Touristo" in September, a stunning display of cynicism. In truth, there is little in Torremolinos that is not offered in other Costa del Sol resorts, and even the package holiday sellers sound a bit desperate when trying to enumerate the town's virtues.