Sightseeing:
There are plenty of wonderful places to visit nearby or further afield, please see details of them below.
Benahavis
Standing on the southern face of La Serrania de Ronda mountain range is Benahavis, one of the most mountainous villages on the western Costa del Sol. Situated near the resort beaches as well as the spectacular mountains of the Serrania de Ronda, its terrain is traversed by the rivers Guadalmina, Guadaiza, and Guadalmansa.
With a gourmet restaurant on pretty much every corner, pristine streets that wind their way steeply through the stunning heart of town and an emerald encasing of densely-wooded mountains, Benahavís is as sleepy as can be, with every view a potential postcard.
Places of great natural and historic interest are to be found within its boundaries, such as El Cerro del Duque, Daidin and the Montemayor Castle.
Estepona
Estepona is located at the 'quiet' end of the Costa Del Sol but there is plenty to see and do. The marina is a great place to stroll around, admire the boats or sit in one if the many bars and watch the world go by. There is a craft market every Sunday morning (seasonal) with all the usual and some unusual and interesting items. It seems the marina has become the weekend meeting place for just about everyone.
In the 'old town' of Estepona you will find many street cafes and tapas bars down some charming narrow cobbled streets that are more used to horses than cars!
El Cristo beach, near the marina, is perfect for children being situated in a delightful sheltered cove with lots of water sport activities; there are also two new beach chiringitos that serve mouth-watering snacks and seafood.
Marbella & Puerto Banus
Home to the rich and famous. Marbella itself has a lovely shopping and historic area centred on the Orange Square.
Puerto Banus is a luxurious and cosmopolitan resort and the marina with its mega-yachts and celebrities is a 'must' place to visit. The beaches have exquisite white sand and there is a wide array of expensive bars, restaurants and designer shops for you to enjoy.
San Pedro
San Pedro de Alcántara is in an ideal situation, just 10 kilometres west from all the glitz and glamour of Marbella, yet just a few minutes from the natural beauty of the Sierra de Ronda mountain range and 20 km from the town of Estepona. An ancient farming community, once famous for sugar cane, today San Pedro is a refreshingly unspoilt pueblo with an appeal all of its own.
Head for the central plaza with its gracious parish church and surrounding narrow streets which are packed with intriguing small shops, sidewalk cafes and bars. Thursday is street market day with all the associated hustle and bustle; a veritable bargain shopper's paradise.
A pleasant walk is from the centre of town to the beachfront along the Avenida del Marques del Duero which is a particularly attractive wide avenue flanked by palm trees. The modern wide promenade is ideal for continuing your stroll with several excellent chiringuitos (beachside restaurants) specialising in fish dishes. Visit Bora Bora if only for a drink at the bar. It is one of the best beach clubs on the coast, with a superb restaurant and all the usual beach facilities, a tropical paradise.
Puerto Duquesa
One of the most beautiful marinas on the coast. Not as 'glitzy' as Puerto Banus, everything just seems more relaxed and at a slower pace. There are miles of beautiful uncrowded beaches. Bars and cafes abound where you can just while away the day people watching whilst sipping a San Miguel or a cafe solo. In the evening the marina comes to life and there is a huge choice of places to eat including Italian, French and of course Spanish.
Benalmadena
If you like boats you must visit this marina. It has been voted best Marina in the world for its beauty and striking architecture.
There are over 1,000 berths for boats up to 40 metres long. This is also where the Sea Life Centre is located.
Street Markets
There is a market held almost every day in one of the coastal towns but one of the best is the Saturday market at Puerto Banus which is held at the bullring near Puerto Banus. Goods on offer at the stalls range from ethnic Moroccan items to Spanish 'antiques' and a good selection of quality local crafts.
There is another good market held every Sunday in Estepona Marina with all the usual and some unusual and interesting items. In the summer at Puerto Duquesa Marina you can combine dining out on Saturday evening with a stroll around the craft market, a lovely way to end the day.
Mijas Pueblo
Situated in the lowlands of the Sierra de Mijas mountain range and surrounded by pine forest, Mijas has managed to retain much of its "white village" charm, with narrow winding streets, dazzling whitewashed walls and breathtaking views. There are dozens of small shops with gifts made by local artisans and a large choice of tapas bars and restaurants.
You can't help but see the famous Mijas (donkey) taxis, carrying scores of tourists around the village every day - they must be the most photographed donkeys in Spain! Mijas is one of the friendliest as well as one of the prettiest Pueblos in Spain.
Casares
Casares is a gorgeous whitewashed village set in a mountainous landscape with panoramic views down to the Mediterranean sea and across to Gibraltar and the north African coastline. The pueblo is located in the western region of the Costa del Sol, close to the seaside resort of Estepona, which is approximately 27 kilometres, or half an hour by car.
There is an old fortress at the pinnacle of the village some 1400 feet above sea level, which would have been a superb vantage point during a time of invasion and piracy. The village streets are narrow and wind steeply through the buildings; be prepared for a steep and energetic climb, rather than a tranquil stroll through the village.
Casares with its dominating view is a magical place to visit, and offers those who stay an authentic Andalusian experience.
Further Afield:
Alhaurin el Grande
Alhaurin el Grande is a town located 30 Km from Malaga. It is one of the most picturesque towns in the Guadalhorce river valley and it is situated between the river Fahala and the stream of Blas González. The Arabs named it Alhaurin, which some historians translate from the Arab word "Alhauerin" which means "Almighty God".
Almost all of the town streets are narrow and winding ... there is a wide selection of shops, restaurants & cafes. Alhaurin hasn't the attraction of a castle or large church to admire ... it is a simple but charming Andalucian town.
Bolonia - Baelo Claudia Roman Ruins
The Roman Ruins Baelo Claudia are well worth the drive ... located on the Costa de la Luz, approx. 15km north of Tarifa.
The ruins date back from the 2nd century BC and are well preserved. There is a visitors centre which at the last time of checking was open the following times (please check on the Internet before making the journey):
Tuesdays to Saturdays: June to September 9am to 8pm, March, April, May and October 9am to 7pm, From November to February 9am to 6pm.
Sundays and holidays all year round: 9am to 2pm
Mondays: Like many monuments in Spain it is closed on Mondays.
Gibraltar
The queue at the border to get in (and out) of Gibraltar can be slow so it is better to park your car (convenient) in order to walk across the border (don't forget your passport). You can then get on one of the many regular buses and in 5 minutes you will be in Main Street.
You can do a rock tour by minibus with a guide of the lower areas of Gibraltar including the tunnels and Europa Point and a visit to St.Michael's Cave. On the way down the rock, enjoy the fabulous views of Africa, Gibraltar and Spain whilst visiting the famous Barbary apes.