Excursions

• Here you are half way (more or less) between Granada and the beaches of the Costa Tropical. Both are little more than half an hour away.
• The closest beaches are at Salobreña. Further along the coast, there's bigger Almuñecar, the beautiful bay of La Herradura and then the much more "international" resort of Nerja at the start of the Costa del Sol. With a strong British presence (you can have a curry here ... ) it boasts 16 kilometres of beaches with powdery sand and sparkling clear water.
• However, Nerja's most spectacular attraction is undoubtedly its magnificent caves - a series of huge caverns stretching for almost five kilometres and home to the world’s largest stalagmite, a 32 metre high column measuring 13 metres by 7 metres at its base. Located three kilometres out of town there are archaeological treasures galore including paintings over 20,000 years old and other pre-historic remains.
• One of the enormous natural caverns has been transformed into a concert hall, where many fabulous performances (classical and flamenco) are staged during the summer. The International Festival of Music and Dance takes place in mid July each year.
• Even closer than Nerja, just on the other side of the huge Cerro Gordo promontory to the west of La Herradura lies a splendid but isolated beach, Playa de Cantarriján. It's a favourite spot for many. Part of the sand and shingle beach has been designated a nudist bathing area, although the western end is normally occupied by conventional sunbathers. There are a couple of good beachbars/ restaurants open throughout the season.
• On this stretch of coast there are plenty of cheerful, peaceful, laid back places in the best tradition of the Spanish seaside. A relaxed lunch at one of the beach bars is highly recommended - even in winter if the sun is shining!
• In the opposite direction, Granada is, of course, a must-see city. Soaring high above is the spectacular back drop of the snow-covered Sierra Nevada mountains. And what a city lies below, a city of classical beauty, the jewel in the Spanish Crown.
• The mesmerising Alhambra Palace and its exquisite gardens, one of the world's greatest wonders; the narrow, cobbled streets and beautiful walled gardens of the ancient Arab quarter, El Albaicín; the magnificent Cathedral, just one of many superb examples of Renaissance architecture; the caves of Sacramonte, nostalgic legacy of the gypsies.
• A city which inspired García Lorca, Andalucía's finest poet, it is, above all, a people's city, full of life and colour, energy and fun.
• On the northern slopes of Sierra Nevada, top class skiing is an hour's drive away. This can be excellent but avoid weekends, when the Granadinos swarm up from the city.
• If wonderful mountain scenery is your thing, then take a trip to Las Alpujarras. In little more than an hour you can be in the high mountain, Moorish villages such as Bubión or Capileira.
• Between the highest mountains in Spain and the Mediterranean Sea, this is a joyous land of sunshine, snowy mountains and some of the most splendid scenery imaginable. From the snows to the sea, there are panoramic views in every direction, from the peaks of Veleta and Mulhacén to the southern sierras and the Mediterranean beyond.

Activities

• There are lots of lovely walks in the surrounding hills, valleys and orchards of the Sierras de Albuñuelas and Guajar. The GR7 passes through the valley. Guided walks and horse riding are offered locally.
• And, of course, here you are well placed to travel to the ski resort high in La Sierra Nevada.
• On the Costa Tropical, activities on offer include scuba, cavern and technical diving, as well as horse riding and tennis, paragliding, climbing, and abseiling.
• In Granada there are a million things to do, it's a students paradise, with everything from flamenco dancing and guitar to Spanish language lessons available.