Excursions

• Alcaucín is a pretty, typically Moorish village situated on the lower western slope of La Maroma in the Sierra Tejeda mountain range. Here you will find a few small supermarkets and three or four excellent bars. The food is particularly good at Carlos's (El Ranche Grande) at the front of the village. On Saturday morning there is a small market in the village selling great fruit and veg.
• An interesting feature nearby is the enormous U-shaped pass through the mountains, known as El Boquete de Zafarraya. The road from the coast to Granada runs through the dramatic gap. At the apex is the border between the two provinces.
• There are various prehistoric sites in the municipal area of Alcaucin, including a cave near to El Boquete de Zafarraya where the remains of a Neanderthal Man were found. Also nearby is the Castle Zalía of Phoenician origin, later used as a fortress by the Moors.
• From the village you can drive into the Parque Natural of the Sierra Tejeda. This is a wonderful drive and a place that stays cool throughout the summer under the shade of its abundant trees. Take a picnic, walk through the forest, paddle in the river.
• Periana (equally close in the opposite direction) is another pretty village with stunning all-round views located on the scenic 'Route of Olive Oil and Mountains'. To the north there are fabulous mountain ranges, whilst to the south there is Lake Viñuela and the coastline. Here too there are a number of bar/restaurants and small supermarkets. Market day is Wednesday.
• Just 10 minutes from the house, Lake Vinuela is a man-made lake but none the less spectacular and picturesque for this. Its azure-blue waters are surrounded by rolling hills and a number of delightful villages including Canillas de Aceituno, and Riogordo. Close by, the villages of Comares, Competa and Benamargosa are equally charming.
• Pretty beaches make this the ideal place for a family outing, away from the nearby, busy coastline. Pine trees add to the sense of tranquillity and the feeling of being at one with nature, while they provide the perfect habitat for many different species of birds.
• Picnic areas have been set out, complete with barbeque facilities, offering splendid views across the placid waters. They are only occasionally disturbed by small boats, which add a fitting splash of colour to the surroundings. All of this set against the majestic backdrop of the nearby mountains.
• Torre del Mar is the closest seaside resort and boasts one of the longest, and certainly one of the widest, beaches on the coast. Running parallel to its 4 kilometres of sandy beach is a splendid promenade with a wide walking area, cycle lane, grassy areas, play areas for children and, of course, numerous restaurants (including some excellent fresh fish and seafood), chiringuitos (beach bars) and other watering holes. It is very Spanish in character although, as with most places these days, you will find quite an eclectic mix of bars and restaurants. For the young at heart, there's plenty of night-long, night life too.
• The esplanade extends all the way to the fishing port and marina at La Caleta de Velez. This area has not yet been developed and it remains very much a working port.
• Nerja is a little further east along the coast. Much more "international" with a strong British presence (you can have a curry here ... ) it boasts 16 kilometres of beaches with powdery sand and sparkling clear water.
• Flanked by a dramatic mountain range, Sierra Almijara, to the east, the town has managed to avoid being blighted by the concrete high-rise scenario and tourist boom in some Costa del Sol resorts. The old quarter of the town is still virtually unchanged from its sleepy fishing village days of old with narrow, winding streets, its whitewashed houses overflowing with geraniums.
• The heart of Nerja is its spectacular Balcón de Europa, a magnificent promenade along the edge of a towering cliff, with sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the small coves and beaches below, against an awesome backdrop of hazy blue mountains.
• 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.
• Just inland from Torre del Mar is Vélez-Málaga, capital of La Axarquía. It is the centre of an agricultural region known for its strawberries and vineyards, which produce the muscatel grapes from which the famous Málaga wines are made.
• If you are here on a Thursday, take time to wander around its weekly market, always an enjoyable experience. The 13th Century Moorish castle and the lovely old town are also worth visiting.
• A prestigious guitar competition takes place annually in July with free concerts taking place on the patio of the Palacio del Marqués de Beniel. More controversially, Vélez also holds legalised cock-fighting every Sunday when crowds of aficionados arrive to place their bets.
• To the north, the historic town of Alhama de Granada is only 20 minutes inland - with its famous hot springs, cobbled streets, old churches, medieval architecture and a breathtaking gorge.
• And beyond, 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.

Activities

• There are many sporting activities on offer around the shores of Lake Viñuela, including sailing and kayaking, horse riding, golf, hang gliding, mountain biking and walking. In the main these activities are offered by enterprising Brit's and other Europeans who have settled in the area.
• La Sierra de Tejeda which rises up above 2,000 metres, offers a wealth of wonderful nature and walking possibilities. So, too, does the Montes de Málaga.
• The water park just by Torre del Mar is a great day trip. Sailing, scuba diving, boat trips and a variety of other watersports are available at the fishing port and marina, La Caleta de Velez. All major water sports are also available in Nerja including water skiing, scuba diving and sailing.
• For golf enthusiasts, there are several excellent golf courses to choose from. Many speak highly of the course at Antequera (an hour away) although there are plenty of others closer by.