Malaga & Cordoba
Why go?
There's a lot more to the province of Malaga than the
over-developed Costa del Sol and the bustling airport town that
everyone flies through on their way to coastal Andalucia. Just 30
minutes inland, you can gawp at the lunar limestone rockstacks of
the Torcal range, then visit craft shops and prehistoric dolmens in
the little-visited town of Antequera. Or head northwest to explore
the breathtaking gorge of El Chorro, with its vertiginous 'royal
footpath', and the azure lakes nearby which come alive with
birdlife every spring. The idyllic mountain scenery around Riogordo
and Colmenar is belatedly beginning to hit tourists' radars, with
some lovely rural retreats to base yourselves in.
It's also a well-known mecca for golfers, with over 50 world-class
courses and one of the best climates in Europe (over 300 days of
sunshine per year). And there are plenty of sandy beaches, not all
of them overrun with Irish pubs and sunburned Brits; we warmed to
the city-centre beaches of Marbella and Malaga, predictably crowded
in summer but perfect in the off-season for late-morning jogs after
a night on the town. Finally, don't overlook Malaga itself:
hunkered around a huge Renaissance cathedral, its old town offers
first-rate tapas, museums and nightlife, while the busy working
port adds a seam of grit and local colour, making it an appealing
city break in its own right. Or, for a more boutique version of the
same (marinas and fashion boutiques), head to Marbella for the
weekend with the Andalucian jetset.
Alongside this mix, we've included the Unesco-listed town of
Cordoba, 150km north of Malaga, in this region. With its
world-famous Mezquita mosque-cathedral and its under-rated Roman
relics, it's a worthwhile stopover on any journey between Seville,
Granada or Malaga.