Your guide
Costa del sol
Do you dream of a house in the sunny south of Spain and are completely sold by the combination of the sea and mountains with the many charming villages the area has to offer?
But have no idea where to start your search or which part of the Costa del Sol suits you best?
We are happy to share our recommendations with you.
The Costa del Sol covers more than 150 kilometres of coastline in Malaga province, with several villages, each of which has its own individuality. With over 325 days of sunshine a year, its rich culture and delicious tapas, it is a popular place for many people looking for a property in the sunny south.
Several cosy villages to discover:
Canillas de Aceituno
Canillas de Aceituno is one of the attractive white mountain villages located in the east of the province of Málaga in the autonomous region of Andalusia in southern Spain.
Canillas de Aceituno, along with several other mountain villages, lies at the foot of the impressive Sierra de Tejeda. As such, it is a popular base for hiking lovers who like to indulge in the natural beauty of the area.
After a brisk walk, you can enjoy the local gastronomy in the various small restaurants in the village. In addition, the village has its own shop, a small hotel, school and covered public parking.
Those who like to enjoy a day at the beach can lay out their bathing towel after just under 30 minutes' drive.
Where to eat
Secret Garden
Calle Agua 7
The restaurant with the most cosy and romantic garden.
La Sociedad
Calle Iglesia 12
A permanent fixture in the village with a unique speciality on the menu.
El Regufio
Calle Iglesia 6
Ideal place for traditional cuisine in an authentic atmosphere.
What to do
Poppi Swimming Pool
MA 126
The ideal place to enjoy a refreshing plunge during hot summer days
Where to stay
B&B La Vieja Botanica
C. Bogor 4
B&B Louise & Ron
Guesthouse Olive & Ivy
Calle Consejo 1
Small-scale and very charming lodging in the centre of the village
Sedella
This white village is about 54 kilometres from the provincial capital Málaga, 23 from Vélez-Málaga and 8 from Canillas de Aceituno. It is a small village with its typical Spanish charm and beautifully landscaped streets with mosaic drawings.
Where to eat
De Copas La Cueva
Camino Puente Romano
El Chiringuito
Av. Villa del Castillo 24
Where to stay
B&B Lagabella
Puerto Del Olivar, s/n Mudéjar Route
Arenas
Arenas is a municipality in the province of Málaga located in the autonomous community of Andalusía in southern Spain.
With a good connection to the coast, which you are on after a drive of just under half an hour. Arenas takes its name from the sand (la arena) that the river Seco deposited in its surroundings. It is a village of Arabic origin whose character can be seen in the narrow streets of this white village.
On 12 October, the streets fill with dancers and celebrating villagers in homage to the mule. In this way, they want to remember the importance of the mule for farmers. Besides singing and dancing, there are several activities to do in the theme of the mule.
Where to eat
Bar Juanete
Av. de Antonio Fernández Ramos 9
What to do
Bentomiz Castle
Take a walk to the remains of Bentomiz Castle or visit the cooperative where farmers from the area bring in their olives and almonds for processing and sale.
Where to stay
B&B Casa Pura Vista
Arenas
B&B Casa Mijo
Arenas
Alcaucín
Alcaucín is close to Lake Viñuela, which is excellent for a walk there.
On the way, you can stop and refresh yourself by drinking from the Fuente de los Cinco Caños (Fountain of the Five Spouts). It is said that the spring from which the water comes has never dried up and the water is cool in summer and warm in winter.
Outside the city centre, you will find one of the most historically significant features for Alcaucín, the ruins of Zalia Castle. This was the Moorish castle, formerly Phoenician, which after the Christian reconquest served as a "prison-bishopric of the Moorish rebels" to hold them captive. From then on, the decay of this place began.
Where to eat
Indian Palace
Urbanizacion El Olivar De Buena Vista 2
Riogordo
Riogordo is a larger village located higher up in the mountains of the Axarquía.
Several hiking trails allow visitors to get to know the Riogordo area, where natural landscapes blend with elements of rural life. One of these routes runs along the river la Cueva, past old flour mills. Another route leads to the Sierra del Rey mountain range, where the forest is home to endemic species such as the mountain goat and the genet cat.
The gorges of Gomer, Doña Ana and Fraile form a rocky group from where you have spectacular views. The Auta valley is also worth a visit, home to the Roman remains of Borbollón and Phoenician tombs.
The May market or "Veladilla" is an important event in the local calendar. It starts with the opening of the cattle market, followed by falconry exhibitions, plays and traditional games. During the festivities, the Día del Caracol (Day of the Snail) is held, with a tasting of snails in broth accompanied by music and regional dances.
Where to stay
Casa la Quinta
Casa el Algarrobo
La Perla Escondita
Comares
This small municipality sits on a ridge overlooking the Periana corridor and part of the Axarquia mountain range to the north, and a vast plain encompassing the Velez valley and the Sierra de Tejeda to the south. This is why the village is also called the balcony of Axarquia.
Its location, of Moorish origin, shows the character of a watchtower it must have had and its physiognomy retains the characteristics of villages formed around a fortress, with narrow winding streets lined with one- and two-storey white houses.
Architectural elements worth visiting are the remains of the fort, the hill of Masmúllar, the Aljibe and the church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, in Mudejar style.
Where to eat
Bar El Niño
Partido Del 28, Romo, 28D
Where to stay
Casa Almendras
Beautiful holiday home with easy access to nature and nature.
Colmenar
Colmenar is a quiet suburban village amid mountain landscapes on the edge of Montes de Málaga nature park. Hiking trails lead through pine forests to waterfalls and lookout points. Sleepy streets are dotted with centuries-old convents, churches, and traditional taverns serving rustic Andalusian-style roast meat dishes.
Where to stay
Balcon de los Montes
Urbanización El Jaral, C. Serranía de Rda.
B&B Casa Metaverdi
Crta Colmenar Crta Colmenar, Camino de Ríogordo 15
Torre del Mar
Leaving the cosy mountain villages and heading down towards the coast, Torre del Mar is a larger coastal town with several shops and plenty of ambiance during the summer months due to the cosy chiringuitos. Fresh fish is roasted on the spot on the beach.
What to do
Biciteraneo
C. Pintor Cipriano Maldonado, S/N,
Almayate Bajo
A small village located very close to Torre del Mar, which originated around the quarries that provided the material for the construction of Málaga Cathedral and which today has moved to the coast to concentrate on agriculture (sugar cane, flowers, etc.).
Like all towns on the Veleña coast, it consists of two distinctly different areas: the interior or Almayate Alto, which, despite being integrated around the Ermita Alta, has a high degree of dispersion; and the coast or Almayate Bajo, which is more clustered and where the majority of the population is concentrated.
Where to stay
Casa Valle NIza
Urbanización El Jaral, C. Serranía de Rda.
Viñuela
Viñuela is an inland municipality north of Velez-Malaga and the famous coastal town of Torre del Mar. It is also about 48 km from Málaga, the provincial capital. Viñuela is mainly known for Lake Viñuela which is the largest reservoir in the province.
Where to stay
Camping La Viñuela
Ctra A-356 P.km 30
Canillas de Albaida
Canillas de Albaida is a village situated on a hillside with terraced slopes, where grape growing is an important part of the economy.
The layout of the streets, the architecture of the whitewashed houses that form picturesque and unforgettable corners, give them such a unique identity that they are known as the Mudejar Route.
Its natural surroundings include the area known as La Fábrica, ideal for camping, hiking or cycling.
Where to eat
La Taberna de Oscar
Carril San Antonio S/N
