Culture trips and tips

star tower

Yunquera and surroundings

The village of Yunquera is located at an altitude of over 700 metres and has an observatory tower: Astrolab. From the building you have a beautiful view when it is dark.
It is said that Yunquera has the most fiestas of the province of Málaga. However, Easter is the most important festival for the Spaniards, Semana Santa, with an impressive procession in every village. Nostalgia, folklore and emotion in Spanish, that is something you have to experience.

Alozaina, Casarabonela
El Burgo

These three white villages lie just outside Yunquera and are definitely worth a visit.

From Yunquera you can drive to Ronda in 45 minutes, and within an hour you are at the coast. Recommended: the route Yunquera Alozaina Tolox Guaro Monda Ojén Marbella, breathtakingly beautiful!

 

From there, you can go to such places as:

casarabonela 2
estepona

Estepona

Cosy town with a beautiful beach, picturesque streets, nice boutiques and restaurants.

Marbella

Marbella is a fashionable seaside resort where wealthy sun lovers love to stay. Visit the historic city centre with the Plaza de los Naranjos, Salvador Dalí's statues, the Almeda park or, for example, the Bonsai museum in Parque Arroyo. Besides the beautiful beaches, Marbella also has a wonderful marina (Puerto Banus).

Ojen

Ojén

A cute mountain village situated between green hills. Where you can have a relaxing coffee or tapas at the church square. Park the car at the bottom of the village (easy and free), then walk up.
Ojén is originally a Moorish village. In the village you can still see the remains of the old castle. You can also visit various places: the Mill Museum, the caves, the church Iglesia de la Encarnación from the 18th century and La Fuente de los Chorros. Local dishes: bolo de hinojos' (chickpea stew), chestnut stew or 'salmorejo' (cold tomato soup).

From the village there are several footpaths to Sierra Blanca or to the nearby Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park. The nearest viewpoint from the village is the walk to the monument to the mountain goat, an important animal for the mountain people for centuries.

Mijas

Touristy but beautiful village that lies more than 400 metres above sea level. It is built against the mountains and belongs to the "pueblos blancos". With its narrow streets and beautiful squares Mijas is an attraction in itself. Take a walk through the park, along the city walls with a view of the sea. You can also explore the village by electric Tuk-Tuk. There are beautiful churches and interesting buildings to admire, such as the only square bullring in Spain. The botanical garden of Mijas (La Muralla) is highly recommended.

Mijas has five urban centres: Mijas Pueblo, Las Lagunas in Mijas Costa, the coastal towns of La Cala, Riviera and Calahonda. The village of Mijas is also known for its beautifully landscaped golf course.

Mijas 2

Malaga

Beautiful historical city centre with a lovely cathedral, Gibralfaro castle, a botanical garden and the Picasso museum. There are many special places to eat and drink such as bodéga El Pimpi and La Teteria (Moroccan tea-drinking). From the centre you can walk through a park full of tropical trees and birds to the bustling Muelle Uno pier and harbour. Here too, there are nice restaurants (located on the waterfront) and the CAC museum with contemporary art.

Nerja

Still an hour's drive from Málaga but definitely a fun day trip. Known for the Balcón de Europa, a promenade in the centre on top of a cliff that protrudes into the sea. East of the city are a series of small sheltered beaches and coves, separated by cliffs and other rock formations.

Just outside Nerja are stalactite caves (Cueva de Nerja) where many archaeological finds have been made and where wall paintings dating back 20,000 years have been found.

Ronda

Labelled by many as the most beautiful city in Andalusia. It is situated in a mountainous area at an altitude of 750 metres. The city is split in two by the river Guadalevín, which has left a deep gorge. This deep gorge, the Tajo de Ronda, is also what made Ronda famous.

Ronda's history as a city even goes back to prehistoric and Celtic times and under the Romans, the lively trading place was named Arunda; 'all around'. An appropriate name since you can strategically see the entire area from the higher town. Just like the rest of Southern Spain, Ronda was also ruled by the Moors. Many historical buildings from this period still exist in the city. In 1485, the city returned to the Christians and many of the old buildings were modified. In the following century, Ronda also became home to the Real Maestranza de Caballería, the oldest and most noble order of horsemanship, where horses were trained for the army.

Special to see is the Plaza de Torres, now in use as a museum. Experience the violent contrasts surrounding bullfighting: the resistance and animal suffering on the one hand, and on the other the history, Spanish pride, the beautiful costumes and the intricate footwork. A controversial intangible cultural heritage.