Like neighbouring Cadiz province, Malaga is sprinkled liberally with pretty pueblos blancos, or white towns and villages, the most well-known of all these being Ronda. Malaga is inundated with visitors to its famous Costa del Sol and the pueblos blancos nearest this coastal strip are the most popular, but it´s relatively easy to find more remote villages that retain an away-from-it-all charm, such as those of the Axarquía region northeast of Malaga city.
COSTA DEL SOL
West of Malaga city is the most visited stretch of the Andalucian coastline, the Costa del Sol. Purpose-built resorts of high-rise apartments line many of the beaches, but there is also the jetsetters' haunt of upmarket Marbella to explore, with an old quarter riddled with tiny streets that link pretty squares. Adjacent to Marbella is the glamorous marina of Puerto Banús, while further east are the hedonistic pleasures of Torremolinos, which has some great bars and clubs. Leaving these heady delights behind, head west to Estepona, which has managed to maintain a relatively low-key atmosphere, reflecting its former life as a fishing village.
In the immediate hilly hinterland of the western Costa del Sol are mountain villages popular with foreign visitors to the Costa del Sol, such as the settlements north of Marbella at the foot of the towering Sierra Bermeja. Istán nestles beneath the peaks of the Sierra Blanca, while Ojén is further east, on the A355, and beyond Ojén in a mountain valley is Monda and then Guaro. The attractive village of Benahavís north of San Pedro de Alcántara is well-known for its many excellent restaurants.
West of Estepona is the surprisingly unspoilt village of Manilva - given its proximity to the Costa - and, further inland along a beautifully scenic road, Casares. This village is in a spectacular position with its house clinging precariously to the sides of a rocky pinnacle, crowned by a Moorish fortress.
North of the coastal resorts of Fuengirola and Torremolinos there is the popular, pretty village of Mijas, with great views down to the coast, the historic village of Alhaurín el Grande that has vestiges of settlement traced back to Neolithic times, its much newer neighbour, Alhaurín de la Torre, and Coín.
On the eastern Costa del Sol close to Malaga city is Rincón de la Victoria, with a marine cave - the Cueva del Tesoro - believed to have hidden treasure (tesoro). Further east is the resort of Torre del Mar, which has an attractively revamped main paseo and a lively seafront.
Nerja is the most attractive town along this stretch of coastline, sheltering at the foot of the Sierra de Almijara. Don´t miss its magnificent tree-lined promenade, the Balcón de Europa, jutting out into the sea and giving stunning views along the rocky shore. Nerja is also famous for its cave, the Cueva de Nerja, 4km from town.
VILLAGES OF THE GUADALHORCE VALLEY
Easily accessible from Malaga are a series of village nestling in the Guadalhorce valley. The closest to Malaga on the A357 is Cártama, once a strategic stronghold for the Romans and the Moors who constructed a castle, today better known for its enormously popular Crocodiles Park. Just beyond is the small but historically interesting Pizarra. Further north is Álora, the biggest place along this route, with steep, cobbled streets leading up to a ruined Moorish citadel, now the town´s cemetery. It is tucked into the foot of a rocky cliff topped by a castle, which was first constructed by the Phoenicians.
Northwest of Álora is the tiny spa resort of Carratraca, whose sulphuric hot springs have been popular since the 19th century, when its waters assuaged the aches and pains of famous travellers - and hypochondriacs - such as the poet Lord Byron. Close to the Guadalhorce reservoirs, with a lakeside campsite, is Ardales. North of Ardales is Teba, whose streets are lined with many grand mansions. The village enjoys some of the best panoramic views in the area over a gently rolling plain clad in olive groves and cereal plantations.
Don´t miss the spectacular Moorish fortress of Bobastro, near the reservoirs, a site where the Muslims, rebelling against the Caliph of Cordoba, converted to Christianity and carved a mosque-like church in solid rock. East of here is the Valle de Abdalajis in an impressive mountainside location and near some excellent hang-gliding territory. At the foot of the magnificent limestone rock formations of the Torcal de Antequera Natural Area is the hill town of Villanueva de la Concepción.
PUEBLOS BLANCOS OF THE SERRANÍA DE RONDA
The mountain range of the Serranía de Ronda is dotted with many hilltop whitewashed villages topped by Moorish castles. Since the 19th century when it attracted a whole host of illustrious visitors, the most popular of these has undoubtedly been Ronda. In a much-photographed stunning position on the top of the sheer-sided Tajo gorge, Ronda is remarkably appealing with a beautifully preserved old town and many great bars and restaurants.
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