The Andalucian region itself covers an area larger than Holland or Switzerland and its contrasts are vast. Not only can you be on the beach getting a glorious tan in the morning but by early afternoon you can be taking to the ski slopes in the Sierra Nevada. Andalucia is rich in culture and offers us reminders of days gone by; a mix that also infuses delicately the ongoing progress of today. Sleepy white washed villages are just waiting to be discovered, entwined with the hustle and bustle of the progressive coast. There is something here for all ages and tastes. On the coast you have numerous water sports, clean and safe beaches, shops, fun parks and excellent restaurants and weekly markets to enjoy. Inland Spain offers the experience of traditional living, with smaller towns and villages, where the women clean and polish their front doorsteps on a daily basis taking great pride in their homes. You will find picturesque walks - a haven for bird watchers, horse riding, fishing and small 'ventas' or bars, hidden away off the beaten track, enabling you to sample a totally authentic Spanish meal. Road connections are excellent nowadays unless travelling into the 'Campo' and then a four wheel drive does come in handy.
Some of the more well known places to visit in this region are:-
RONDA
Steeped in history this is one of the prettiest towns in Andalucia. From San Pedro on the coast you drive north for about 20 minutes inland. Ronda boasts a deep river gorge with a stone bridge across where a prison was once situated. If you are feeling brave you will find peering down into the gorge an experience you are unlikely to forget. The bull ring is also open to tourists which comprises of a look at bull fighting throughout the ages and if you are lucky you can see the Andalucian horses and their riders having a lesson.
MIJAS
A quaint village high above Mijas Costa and Fuengirola with cobbled streets and a wealth of leather and pottery shops, wicker items and honey - which is well worth a taste. The main part of the village is free of cars with donkey taxis taking over from today's modern technology. The terraced white washed houses have an abundance of geraniums spilling down from balconies, birds singing, along with the two churches showing this village dates back to times long ago. Explore the various shops, explore the museum depicting the history and life of the people of Andalucia and then wind your way back up to the top and sit with a drink and look down towards the coast. Breathtaking views!
ALHAURIN EL GRANDE
This is a very popular town with English and other nationalities making their home here. As with Coin, its neighbour, it is situated 25 minutes to the coast and about the same to Malaga for the airport and shops. This town has several spectacular golf courses, for those inclined, and the total area is surrounded by large numbers of olive, orange and other fruit trees. Again, get off the main roads and experience the delights which are tucked away, waiting to be explored.
COIN
As well as its neighbour Alhaurin El Grande, Coin is now one of the most popular inland towns to live in and on the outskirts. It has expanded greatly since the 1950’s when it was one of the main producers of oranges in the region. Having good access to the coast, Coin is a great base to explore from and it is fast becoming home to a number of expats. The centre of Coin still retains its charms with plazas dotted all around where you will normally find the local residents, predominantly older males, sitting around, discussing their issues and experiences. Small narrow streets take you to hidden unexpected places where the locals will smile and say “Hello”. They will always take the time if you decide to practice your Spanish. There is a new commercial centre located on the outskirts of the town 'La Trocha' with a Burger King if you are having withdrawal symptoms along with a multi screen cinema, 'Dunnes' department store and numerous individual outlets.
This village like a lot of others allows you to live life at a slower pace and property prices are lower than on the coast. This may well change as people are discovering that they can live in the countryside amongst the Spanish and still have easy access to other areas. There are several churches in Coin with one being declared a national monument with a wealth of architecture to be savoured. As with all towns and villages in Spain the various fiestas stretch out throughout the year and should not be missed, in particular, New Years Eve where locals dress up in fancy dress for midnight in the church square.
ALORA
This town is 40km north of Malaga and within easy reach of the stunning 'El Chorro' dam and lakes. It is a small white washed town with a ruin of a majestic castle with a long and interesting history. This village is becoming increasingly popular due to being on the train line that at the moment runs direct to Malaga.
EL CHORRO and ANDALES NATIONAL PARK (see picture above)
Not to be missed. Everyone will remember the day they visited the remarkable lakes. Imagine stunning turquoise waters surrounded by pine forests. Take a picnic with you to enjoy on the shores in between swimming, sunbathing, fishing or perhaps you feel like being just a little bit spoilt and would enjoy someone else providing the food at one of the restaurants close by. Although this area is so popular there is a lot of shoreline and it is always easy to find yourselves a quiet spot. Make sure you have plenty of free film or camera space. You will need it!
We have only mentioned a very few places inland, there is so much more....... below we have covered a small number of coastal areas:-
MALAGA
Malaga is a mixture of old and new. The ancient architecture hidden in the old part of the city is to be marveled at. Malaga Castle along with an old Roman Amphitheatre is worth a look. The airport (which still has ongoing renovations) is one of the busiest in Spain, with cheap air flights, adding to its popularity. The shops, restaurants, markets and nightlife are in plentiful supply. As with the majority of this coastline it is highly developed in terms of infrastructure and this helps to attract people, as well as the pull of the endless hot sunny days and balmy evenings. Even the Spanish people flock down to this area from places like Madrid where they live most of the year, for their annual holiday.
TORREMOLINOS
Probably one of the better known resorts. A short trip from the airport and you are there. Typical beach resort with everything you can possibly need or want and plenty for the children to do.
BENALMADENA
Neighbour to Torremolinos and enjoying large numbers of tourists who flock to its location. Benalmadena consists of three areas which make up the total package. Firstly, Benalmadena Pueblo, set up in the hills is very Spanish with narrow walkways and typically Mediterranean style houses. Nearer the coast is Arroyo de la Miel packed with numerous shops, bars and restaurants. There is a large Theme Park 'Tivoli World' where you can grab a cable car that takes you up to the mountains for that stunning 360 degree view. Lastly, Benalmadena Costa with its long promenade and sandy beaches has a man made marina that is worthy of a look With lots of shops and bars wrapping themselves around some well designed apartment blocks, it is worth a visit just to experience the atmosphere.
FUENGIROLA
Being just 15-20 minutes from Malaga airport, this is another popular destination. Fuengirola has a 5 mile beach boasting a European blue flag, dotted with hotels and apartments that give you magnificent views of this coastline. There are lots of activities to indulge in, including a trip to the zoo, an aqua (water) park which will keep the younger family members busy for hours, a superb market on a Tuesday and if you are looking for a real bargain there is a flea market on a Saturday. How about seeing some of the area in a horse drawn carriage? Then relax again with a long drawn out lunch or dinner, like the Spanish, in one of the numerous restaurants, where they cater for all tastes.
PUERTO BANUS and MARBELLA
If you like people watching you must pay a visit to this area. Sit in a roadside bar and spot a celebrity, gaze in wonder at the plush yachts moored alongside or the big shiny cars that are parked in narrow lanes leading to the marina. The weekly market is definitely worth getting up to go to. All markets are normally 10am-2pm. This can be an expensive resort with expensive prices but well worth the one visit. On the outskirts of Marbella you will find a large commercial shopping complex called 'La Canada' and if you drive into Marbella old town and take a walk up the narrow streets there are many delights to be found.
To sample this region of Spain properly it would probably take a lifetime. Some people decide to move around from place to place and others stick to a place they find and grow to love it. For thousands of Brits, ourselves included, we feel as if we’ve come home.
Surrounding Areas 
